𝙲𝚛𝚒𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚊𝚕𝚜 || 𝙹𝚒𝚑𝚊𝚗

A nightmare (pt.5)

Joshua played with the food that stood in front of him with a thoughtful face. His mother wasn't at home at the moment for she had an appointment to attend to at work leaving Joshua all alone in the big, silent house. However, that wasn't the cause for why he was feeling down.

You see, three days had passed ever since his date with Yuki at the mall had taken place. And even though Yuki had bought him countless of things, even though he had helped him get a cooler image and a way nicer color for his hair, something about this didn't make him happy. He felt uncomfortable to wear such tight shirts and jeans. He felt like a weirdo walking by in the hallways because of the odd stares he would receive, especially because of his big change in appearance, including some stares towards the thing around his neck. But that wasn't all, he was being treated like royalty.

Apparently, Micheal and Theodore had told everyone he was dating Yuki, which, in a way, wasn't incorrect. However, his social status had suddenly reached a sky high position for everyone would want to talk to him and become his friend. He went from being an outcast, a kid that was bullied by jerks every day to one of the most popular kids in the school. And all because of him. Because of Yuki.

It was something new, something that made Joshua want more. Soon becoming something he would await for everyday. But everything felt odd to him, really superficial, making him sadden at the thought of having those kids surround him for fake motives. But, in his head, little bit of attention didn't sound that bad.

His phone vibrated loudly making him stand up and look for it. He looked at the contact number and blushed. It was Yuki.

"Joshua, darling, how are you?" Yuki said in a breathy voice.

"I'm doing ok, how about you? Are you ok?"

"I would be if I was in a better situation at the moment"

Joshua frowned. "Why? What happened?"

"You'll know when you see it" Joshua heard Yuki chuckle. "Actually, why don't you come over to me and have a look?"

"Ok..?" Joshua headed to the door and wore his shoes. "Where are you right now?"

"I'm close by the school, near the back, close to an alley"

"Ok"

He hanged up and walked calmly to said place. In a way, however, he was very worried as well as curious for what Yuki had done or came up with. As a result, Joshua walked to the back of the school and found an ally he had never knew existed. However, he froze in his step at the sudden yells of help and sounds of punches.

"You're here"

Joshua jumped in surprise at the sudden voice behind him and turned around only to find the one he was looking for. Yuki.

Joshua sighed in relief. "Don't scare me like that..I thought I would have a heart attack"

Yuki chuckled and grabbed his arm, pulling him deeper into the alley. Joshua winced at the touch but followed the other to said place. His eyes widened at the sight. Joshua ran to the boy that laid on the ground who breathed heavily and was barely conscious at the things happening around him. A small but big group surrounded the male and Yuki stood out from all of them.

Joshua could feel a vein pop from his forehead. He turned to Yuki with an angry expression that was futile in his case. "What did you people do?!"

Yuki sighed. "In a way, I knew you would react like this. A part of me hoped you didn't"

"What did he do to you?!"

He smiled. "Now that's a good question" Yuki walked closer to the other. "I don't know if you can tell but that's Micheal" Joshua turned to look at the boy.

"What...?"

"Don't you remember how badly he would treat you? Remember all of the punches and kicks and words that bastard would throw at you?" Yuki chuckled. "Guess what? I threw them all back to him"

Joshua wanted to throw up. "Why did you do this?! Violence is never the answer for vengeance!"

Yuki's smile faded. "Oh my dear Joshua" He pulled the other up and held him dearly. "You'll never get anywhere with that kind of thinking. You'll never get the attention you want with being a good kid and doing everything everyone else says. No~ you'll never be anything in this world if you don't start to have a selfish kind of thinking"

Joshua shivered. "My darling, I want the best for you, you know? That's why I had to help you change that useless appearance of yours and show you these kinds of things, so you can finally evolve and become king"

He gently pulled Joshua apart and slowly turned him around while holding the other's shoulders. "Now, why don't you try this for yourself? Why don't you try to be happy for once, to show that you're not this loser anymore?"

He pointed at another kid. Once Joshua got a good look, however, he could tell it was none other than Micheal's pawn, Theodore.

"Fight him, Joshua, and show me that you've changed"

Joshua didn't say anything and slowly walked over to Theodore making the other shake in his spot. He looked at Joshua with pleading eyes and the other stopped walking. His mind was racing with thoughts.

(This is so wrong..I shouldn't treat others like this. I shouldn't do what he tells me to do. I want to escape, I want to find a way to leave..)

(...But I also want to be happy for once)

And with a swift motion, he watched the other slowly fall to the ground with a bruised cheek. Joshua smiled. The prey was becoming the hunter and the predator was slowly giving up his spot for someone new. For someone who would soon become king.