Different

Chapter 1, Be a dear

Walking speedily from school with a stack of neatly written notes in hand, Lizzy made her journey to the address roughly scribbled on the pink post it note plastered to the pile of papers in her arms. The idea to go to Crowley Alston's home stemmed from her ranting English teacher, Miss Penny, who, bless her heart, was worried for the boy's attendance record and grades as he hadn't attended any lessons since the start of the school year, this having been 3 weeks ago. Crowley Alston was renowned to be a fearsome "thug", many rumors about his supposed violent activities had caused a scare to flow through the student population after hearing said "thug" would be attending their establishment, Paxton Public high school. His recent expulsions and fights had sent him across the areas education blocks until he had landed in Lizzy's school. However since the start of term for the new school year he hadn't attended any classes, or showed his face to the school since the welcoming ceremony.

"If he doesn't attend school then he won't get the proper grades to get into university or even acquire a respectable job!" This was quite normal coming from Lizzy's English teacher. She had a tendency to speak her troubles very openly to Lizzy, though she suspected this was because she was the only one present in her teacher's after school lessons. English club was lacking so it had been promptly turned into a homework club in order to attract more students, only to receive none. Lizzy feeling sorry for her English teacher started attending the after school sessions only to receive an ear full of troubles from the over worrisome women while blissfully filling out her homework sheets, reading or sometimes revising, 'It's never too early to start'. Besides attending an after school homework club seemed much better than going home to an empty house, waiting for your parents and drearily sighing in your bedroom after finishing your assignments for the evening.

"What could be preventing him from coming? Three weeks is an awful long time for a cold, perhaps he's severely injured himself or is afraid of attending such a new school!" It was quite hilarious to see her English teacher worrying over Crowley Alston as if he was a new born lamb.

"Perhaps he lacks the motivation to come! He hasn't been inspired by his lessons yet." The women was young and over enthusiastic, which many students found irritating while Lizzy found it quite uplifting at times.

"What if we give him a little push? Give him some handouts for the lesson perhaps." Her puzzling gaze drew to the only student present in the classroom. "Maybe even give him a copy of my top student's notes!" It was at this that Lizzy started to feel dread creeping up her back.

"But I don't think my notes would be that useful." Lizzy protested as Miss Penny waddled over to her desk.

"Nonsense of course your notes are exemplary, it would only explain why you get the top grades in my class. Now let me photocopy them and prepare a nice little folder!"

There was no use arguing with her, and Lizzy still held respect for her teachers. She reached into her bag and brought her notebook out passing it over to the exuberant women. Her teacher rushed off, probably to the photocopier and in as little as 5 minutes returned with a bright lilac folder and pink post it note stuck to the top.

"Now Lizzy, won't you be a dear and deliver this for me. I've put the address on the note and all the papers are inside the folder." She smiled brightly as she placed the folder in front of Lizzy.

"You want me to deliver this to Crowley Alston?!" Her shock was evident, not having expected her teacher to send her on such a dangerous job.

"But of course! I can always rely on my favourite pupil to get the job done!" 'I'm quite sure she isn't meant to pick favourites.' Looking down at the folder she spied the address and furrowed her brows in confusion.

"I thought teachers weren't meant to disclose information about other students to-"

"Well I'll be going!" She interrupted then promptly walked over to her desk to gather her papers and car keys. "I'm sure you'll get the job done!" Not even giving Lizzy a moment to question that she hadn't accepted the job, Miss Penny stumbled out of the classroom in a rush.

Crossing the road Lizzy sighed as she remembered her teacher's antics. She would be the only student to fall for such a cheap trick, or even one to still play along with it even after sizing up how dangerous it may be.

Turning a corner she came to a stop in front of a Chinese takeaway, the apparent address for Crowley Alston's home. Scrunching her nose and scrutinising the post it Lizzy questioned if her teacher had written the right address. It wasn't uncommon for Miss Penny to misplace things, she could often be flustered and frantic when excited so she may have accidently written the wrong address. Shrugging and instead deciding to check, for the sake of her teacher, Lizzy cautiously entered the establishment.

Propped on a hard wooden chair was a man in his late 20's, lean in figure, dark auburn hair and fairly handsome. He was reading a magazine of a questionable topic and appeared not to have noticed her entrance. Clearing her throat she tried to attract the attention of the older man who dragged his eyes lazily from the magazine

"What can I do for you kid?" His gravely tone was roughish and casual as his gaze remained questioning.

Slightly flustered and discouraged Lizzy stumbled through her words, "Um, well I'm her to see Crowley Alston. Does he live here? If n-not I'll be on my way-"

"You're here to see Crowley!" His face dramatically brightened in hope.

"Yeah, I'm here to deliver-"

"You must be his girlfriend!" He interrupted her.

"I'm not his-"

"CROWLEY!" He'd made his way to a flimsy door on his left before opening it and hollering, "YOUR GIRLFRIEND'S HERE!"

"I'm really not his-" She was intervened again from the arrival of Crowley Alston barging down the stairs. He appeared in the doorway glaring through his blonde bangs at the older man jovially grinning down at him.

"When were you going to tell me about her then?" The auburn haired man questioned Crowley with a lift of his brows.

It was then that Lizzy was struck by the chilling glare of Crowley Alston that caused her entire body to freeze under its scrutiny.

"Who are you?" His voice was deep and menacing with a rugged undertone. He walked carefully towards her, stopping just a step away.

Unsettled, Lizzy clutched the folder tightly to her chest, her eyes growing wide at the threatening figure before her.

"W-well I have these p-papers from school that-"

"Did the school send you?" If anything his looming figure grew darker as he towered over her.

"N-no." She wasn't really lying, her English teacher sent her not the school, but he didn't need to know that especially with how furious he sounded.

He drew back slightly at this, his glare still fixed in place as he questioned, "Then why are you here?"

As if time itself was about to end Lizzy started to rapidly answer in a wash of words, "Well you see me and my English teacher were concerned that you weren't getting the proper notes or education while you've been away since you haven't attended any classes so we thought it right that I bring a copy of my notes to help you catch up while you've been um ill-" She gestured to his perfectly healthy, lean yet haggard figure. "-and I'm really sorry if I've offended you or imposed too much on your home I'm very sorry I never meant to disrupt you please forgive me I'll just get going if that's OK." She thrusted the folder into his chest, inhaled deeply from lack oxygen and walked promptly out of the door.

For a second she turned back to see his softened features, and agape mouth. He looked more attractive when he didn't have a glare bolted to his face.

"Um...get well soon." She added with a brief smile and swiftly carted herself off on route to her house.

If she had stayed she may have caught a glimpse of a shy smile creeping its way onto a certain blonde haired boy's face.

A/N: Sorry about the jumbled up consistency and the amount of content i publish in each chapter. >.< I hope you've enjoyed reading so far and you choose to carry on! I will try to update with new chapters as frequently as possible.