Tales from PS 3 by augmentedfourth

Nial couldn't remain worried about Ayn for too long, as he had his own social life to think about. He was gathering his belongings from his locker at the end of the day when he heard a noise behind him. Turning around, he came face to bloody face with another one of his friends.

Ryan! What the hell happened to you?

The dark-haired boy leaned his bruised cheek against the cool metal of the locker door and sighed. It's Lune again. This time he hit me right in the face during dodgeball.

Ouch.

At least he didn't put my head in the locker room toilet like he did last week. That sucked.

Nial had to agree. Leaning in a little closer, he inspected his friend's face. Yeah, you're definitely going to have quite the shiner for a while.

Shit. My mom's going to freak out when I get home, she'll think I was in a fistfight.

Wanting to be of some assistance to the worried Ryan, Nial continued digging around in his locker. Here, take my sunglasses. That should cover it up. Ryan donned the dark glasses and sure enough, most of his battle wounds were hidden, save for one scratch on his cheek. Satisfied with his good deed, Nial partially changed the subject. I guess my news is kind of relevant now. Guess who made sure to sit next to me in math class today?

Who?

Nial smiled slyly. Alair.

Alair? Even behind the sunglasses, Nial could tell that Ryan's eyes had grown wide. He looked around to make sure the hallway was empty before speaking again. That's Lune's sister, are you crazy?

I know, I know...but she's cute, and I think she was looking at me throughout class.

Ryan shook his head frantically. He'd kill you. Not put your head in a dirty toilet bowl, but actually kill you. And string your dead body up on the flagpole to serve as a warning to others.

Nial laughed. Come on, I think that's a little extreme. Besides, I'm not afraid of Lune. He looked at Ryan's face. ...Not much, anyway, he added on.

Whatever. It's your funeral.

Thanks for your concern. Nial put the last of his books into his backpack and closed his locker. I have to get going. Good luck with your mom!

The friends parted ways and Nial headed for the stairwell at the end of the hallway. When he reached the bottom of the stairs, he ran right into Alair, who, luckily, was unaccompanied. She tucked a piece of her lime-green hair behind her ear and smiled sweetly at him.

Hi, Nial.

Hey.

I was hoping I'd run into you.

Nial felt himself blush slightly. Oh?

Did you understand the directions for the math homework tonight? I was feeling a little lost in class.

He couldn't deny he was slightly disappointed by her reason for seeking him out. I think so. Do you need help?

I might, but not now. My brother will come looking for me if I don't go home right away. She reached into the bag slung over her shoulder and pulled out a pen and a little notebook. Here's my number, she said, writing it down. Text me later and maybe we can work something out. She handed him the piece of paper and then checked her watch. I have to go now, but maybe I'll talk to you later! Before Nial could respond, she was out the door.

Later that evening, Nial sat in his bedroom with his phone in one hand and her number in the other. His math notebook was nearby somewhere, though he wasn't particularly interested in it. After nervously fidgeting for a few minutes (or thirty), he finally entered the number in his phone and sent Alair a quick message.

hey its nial u need help w math?

He tried to get some homework done, but was distracted by waiting for the phone to buzz with a reply. Before long, he got his wish.

i got it thnx

Nial was disappointed for the second time in one day, but he didn't have enough time to wallow in his pity before the phone buzzed again.

u lookd cute 2day ;)

He nearly started hyperventilating at Alair's second message and was glad no one was around to see. The math homework was completely abandoned as he tried to formulate a worthy response. His hands were so moist with sweat, his thumbs nearly slipped off the small keys as he entered his reply.

u 2. i likd ur headband :)

After he put the phone down, Nial stared intently at it, mentally willing it to vibrate one more time. It didn't disappoint him, as it lit up only moments later. He took a deep breath as he opened it to see what else Alair had to say.

meet me 2mro b4 school by stairs?

He smiled and felt the flush return to his cheeks as he read Alair's request to meet in the morning. It didn't take him more than three seconds to respond.

kk :)

Nial barely got any sleep due to his eager anticipation of their morning meeting. He got dressed at a record speed and left his house without eating any breakfast. As he slipped into the quiet building, he thought he might have been too early, but a small hand reached out and pulled him beneath the staircase.

Hi, Alair greeted him, smiling.

Hi.

She looked around to make sure they were really alone. I'm sorry about this, but we have to be careful. My brother forbids me dating anyone, if he ever found out...

Nial hadn't been aware that their secret rendezvous constituted a date, but he couldn't complain about the new label. It's okay, I'm just glad you wanted to see me.

Her smile widened. I'm glad you weren't too afraid to come.

The pair gazed wordlessly into each other's eyes until they heard the footsteps of their fellow students arriving at school. Meet me here tomorrow, she whispered. I'll be here at the same time.

When Nial met her the following morning, Alair wasted no time in pulling his head down to hers and pressing her lips against his. A tiny part of him thought that things were moving rather quickly, as he didn't really know her all that well, but that voice was quickly silenced by the hands that were roaming across his chest, around to his back, and beyond. He was equally eager to run his hands through her soft green hair and explore the body that was pressing up against his own.

Over time, the cunning duo was able to find a variety of hiding places throughout the school building. A storage closet, the darkroom in the photography lab, the lighting booth in the auditorium, and other little-known spots allowed them build their relationship away from prying eyes. Nial was feeling pretty good about himself as he left the equipment room adjacent to the gymnasium one day, until someone grabbed him and threw him up against a wall of lockers.

You've been messing around with my sister! Lune growled as he pinned Nial to the wall by his throat. As it wasn't really a question, Nial chose not to respond. Did you really think I wouldn't find out? I have friends all over this building who tell me what's going on!

Nial managed to wrestle free from Lune's grasp and tried to pull himself up to his full height before confronting the angry bully, though Lune still had a good six inches on him. Alair can do whatever she wants! he yelled. She's the one who started talking to me, not the other way around!

A small crowd had started to gather in the hallway around the boys. Unfortunately, Nial knew that Lune didn't mind having an audience when dishing out his punishments. He wondered if Lune was going to knock him out right there, but the angry young man had other plans.

Today, after school, Lune began, breathing heavily. We'll settle this out near the basketball court.

Fine with me. Nial tried to sound confident as he stared up at the boy who was towering over him.

Alair managed to push her way through the circle of people and stared in horror at what was going on. Stop this! Both of you! She stood directly next to Lune and looked up at him defiantly. This is crazy! He hasn't done anything to you!

Quiet, Alair! There was no extinguishing Lune's rage. He's not good enough for you!

You say that about everyone! she complained. I like him, that should be good enough for you.

Lune ignored her and turned his attention back to Nial. You'd better show up today. If not, things will be much worse for you tomorrow, he said, cracking his knuckles.

All right, kids, let's get to class. The booming voice of Wren, the head security guard, penetrated the crowd. He stopped where the two boys stood and looked them over. Is there a problem here? Both of them shook their heads and mumbled an incomprehensible response. Good. Move along, don't be late for class. The tall, bulky guard shooed them in separate directions, but they still manage to get in one last angry glare apiece.

I told you he would kill you, Ryan reminded his friend.

He's not going to kill me.

Okay, then he's just going to beat the shit out of you. I hope I can recognize your face tomorrow.

You're not really helping, you know, Nial sighed. Besides, what makes you so sure I'm going to lose?

Nobody's ever won a fight against Lune. You don't have a chance.

Thanks.

I'm just being honest. Though he may not have been doing a very good job of showing it, Ryan was concerned for the lovestruck Nial. You don't have to fight him. You can just go home right after school today.

Nial shook his head. I'm going to have to face him eventually. Besides, I doubt Alair would think very highly of me if I decided she wasn't worth fighting for.

If you say so. Do you want me to come along for moral support?

Sure. I may need someone to pick up my bloody pieces afterward, anyway. Nial tried to laugh, but it didn't quite come out.

The rest of the afternoon seemed to fly by and before he knew it, the final bell rang. Nial trudged out to the basketball court, where a number of people had already gathered. Lune was standing in the center of the group without a hint of nervousness displayed on his face.

So you decided to face me after all, worm. Now my revenge is at hand!

Alair was standing behind her brother. Nial, you don't have to do this! she called out to him.

Yes, I do. I want you to be my girlfriend and I want the whole school to know!

While Alair beamed silently and a murmur rippled through the crowd, Lune looked like he was about to burst half the blood vessels in his face. You're going to regret this! he screamed. Without warning, Lune pulled out a boomerang and hurled it directly at Nial.

Ow! he exclaimed as the boomerang hit him in the shoulder. Somehow, the wooden blade returned to the hand of its owner after striking its target. What the fuck? Is this a joke? he asked no one in particular. Who the hell throws a boomerang?

He didn't have time to wait for a response as the weapon struck him again, this time in the side of his head. He reached his hand up to his temple and felt blood. If he was going to win, he needed to do something to stop Lune's attacks, but he was fresh out of ideas.

Nial! Ryan suddenly appeared behind him. Here, take this! He presented Nial with a baseball bat he had found deserted in a nearby field.

As he had no better option, Nial took the bat into his hands. Facing Lune again, he brandished the bat like a sword, waiting for his opponent's next move. Lune threw his boomerang again, but this time, Nial was able to use his own weapon to prevent it from reaching its target. The momentum of the bat sent the boomerang off its intended course and Lune was left empty-handed.

Nial warily stepped closer to Lune, still holding the bat out in front of him. The giant green-haired boy seemed unaffected by the loss of his weapon and the expression on his face seemed to be similar to that of an owl ready to pounce on a field mouse. Lune moved to grab the bat away from his foe, but Nial managed to dodge him. The evasive movement knocked him off balance, though, and he felt Lune's fist connect with his jawbone.

He was almost ready to give up when he looked up and saw Alair staring right at him. Though no words were exchanged, he somehow knew she was silently urging him to continue fighting. Much like the rest of the school, she was tired of her brother's violent, domineering ways.

Nial looked away to see Lune come at him again. This time, he was ready and ducked in time. Having missed his mark, Lune was now caught flat-footed and Nial was ready to take advantage. Before Lune could turn around fully, Nial swung the bat and made contact with the side of his abdomen.

Lune staggered and Nial struck him again. The aggressor went down and rolled on to his back. Before he could get up, Nial planted his foot on the fallen boy's chest in a victory pose, but still held the bat ready just in case Lune tried to make a move. There was a moment of silence from the spectators before most of them started cheering.

Nial's triumph was short-lived, however, as Wren and another guard, Siren, came running towards them. Both Nial and Lune were hauled off to Principal Rulakir's office and suspended from school for the next five days (and Nial was grounded by his parents for far longer than that). Once Nial regained his freedom, though, Alair was waiting for him, ready to publicly declare their love for each other.

Will you go out with me? Nial asked her, a big grin on his face.

I was starting to think you'd never ask! Alair laughed.

Having been defeated by Nial, Lune wasn't the bully he once was. Seeing his sister so happy caused him to abandon his violent ways and he stopped tormenting his fellow students. His reign of terror had been ended and peace settled over the school.

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