Vicious

1 - Dexter

Dexter peeked out from the corner of his eyes to look at his new classmate.

The brown headed boy sat in his chair with his head down as he read from a math textbook. For the past two weeks, that's all the boy ever did. He came in, sat down, pulled out some kind of academic book on a subject Dex believed was far beyond the normal high school curriculum, took notes, and never uttered a word.

Not for the first time, Dex wondered why Cade was at a school filled with juvenile miscreants and meat heads who fought on a daily basis. The guy didn't look like someone who caused trouble. And the entire time he'd been here, not once did he ever show any signs of aggression. That was rare for a school like Timberview.

But Dex was too shy to ask. When he arrived at the school, he was a nobody. Still was, which was good. Because the classroom was full of people who'd love to hurt him.

Everyone had done something to land themselves here and you ended up being categorized as one of three things: a peasant, a follower, or a leader.

Dex was just unlucky to be poor enough that his parents couldn't afford to send him to another school. This was the cheapest and closest option. As far as where he stood as a member of the school, Dex supposed he was a peasant. He had flew under the radar so far and for that he was grateful. Back in his middle school days and first year at another high school, Dex was always bullied and found himself on the receiving end of ridicule.

Cade just seemed different. He didn't fight and Dex didn't even think he cared about anything or anyone around him. That's one of the reasons Dex hadn't yet spoke to him. Cade was a mystery to him, one who hadn't spoken since he started school.

An obnoxious laughter filled the classroom and Dex risked a look behind him.

Leroy Hayes stood behind the chair of Jenson Street, another kid new to the school. The poor guy was hunched forward and Dex could see tears in his eyes. Another peasant being targeted by the so-called leader of class 3B. He watched as Leroy smacked the back of his head and laughed again.

"Are you crying Jenson?" asked a joyful Leroy, his friends joining in on the fun.

"He's a crybaby."

"Crybaby Jenson."

Leroy nodded his head in glee. "Oh, I like that. Crybaby Jenson."

Dex was just turning away when Leroy looked up.

His eyes widened and he swung forward to face the front. He could feel the muscles in his back tense. Dex had come too far to become a target again.

Please leave me alone.

"Hey Four Eyes!"

Fear cunsumed Dex.

"I'm talking to you!"

He's not talking to me, right? There's someone else who-

A book flew through the air and Dex readied himself for what was to come. He shut his eyes and heard a thud, but no pain came. Taking a chance, he looked back behind him and saw that Leroy wasn't looking at him, but at a boy two rows to his right. He was standing up and quivering with fear.

The sigh that Dex released was full of relief. But then guilt crept in. He was happy it wasn't him. As long as it was someone else, he would be fine. And he hated himself for that thought.

"Ye-yes?"

Leroy and his two followers, Felix and Danny, made their way to the front of the classroom and stopped at the kid's desk.

"My boys tell me you've been talking trash about me. That true?"

"N - no," he stammered out.

"You calling them a bunch of liars?" There was an edge to Leroy's voice and it could only mean one thing. He was looking for a fight.

"That - that's n-not what I -"

The kid never saw his fist coming. Leroy was fairly strong and never pulled his punches. The force of the hit caused the kid to go sailing back. His back hit the floor as he skidded across tile.

"You think I'm gonna let you say whatever you want? I'll teach you, you little shit!"

Leroy kicked the desk out of the way and sent it spiraling into others. One of which being Cade's. His books cluttered to the floor and his notes scattered. Dex watched as Cade blinked repeatedly, almost as if he had just been pulled out of a trance.

Did Cade really not know what was going on?

He must not, because he stood up and crouched down to pick up his things.

Dex noticed Leroy looking at Cade.

"H-hey Cade," Dex stammered. Those were the first words he'd ever spoken to him and Cade either didn't hear him or chose to ignore him.

Before Dex could try again, Leroy was already heading his way. When Cade went to pick up one of his notebooks, Leroy stepped on it and held it there.

"What do you think you're doing, Pretty Boy?"

All Dex could do was watch.