Chapter Text
The day had been going by rather slowly for a Friday. Normally, students would have been much more upbeat and talkative, happy even, with another weekend beginning for them once again in just a few hours, but apparently that was not the case for today. It was rather quiet in the school oddly enough. Not much had been going on since the day began, making Ralph feel increasingly uneasy as time continued to pass. Something had always caused a ruckus on campus at least, whether it was a fight that broke out between the lower years or another surprise quiz Mr. Harris was giving out during Maths, causing students to alert others who had his course later in the day. There was always something.
However, not all was quiet, as word had quickly gone around that there was a new student who had just transferred from a nearby school, immediately peaking Ralph’s interest the moment he had heard it among the whispers of the girls sitting behind him in History.
‘Bout time we had a new student.
Was the first thought that went through his mind, and he leaned back a little bit towards the group, in hopes of hearing more about the supposed new student. “I heard he transferred from that fancy, all boy’s boarding school because he got expelled or something, but I don’t know.” Whispered one of them. Ralph recognized the voice to be Olivia’s, one of the “It” girls in his year. More than anything, he personally considered her to be “that” girl as she had always stuck a nerve in him for her constant talking and whining. “Did you see him? Is he even hot?” Replied one of the others, the one Ralph had never really bothered to know the name of. “I didn’t really get a good look at him when I was passing by the office, but from the back he looked pretty cute.” Olivia had answered, a little giggle breaking amongst the girls in response. Their chatter grew quiet after that. Probably due to the fact that they finally noticed the teacher shooting daggers at them. A silent yet polite enough cue to get them to stop.
He let out a sigh.
No longer interested in whatever was going on behind him, Ralph leaned back towards the front of his desk. Why would anyone transfer to a public school instead of just picking another snobby, rich kid school? Was his second thought. And this school to be exact? He rolled his eyes as the realization that the new kid was probably just another troublemaker had set in. Just like everyone else that went here. He had always wondered why his father had sent him here instead of something different. Something that was more highly looked upon and sought after.
Hell, the more Ralph thought about it boarding school didn’t even sound half bad compared to this place. Maybe he would actually enjoy that more.
If he were to be honest with himself, he knew that he didn’t have many friends here anyways. He was one of the “quiet kids” that stuck to themselves and stayed out of the spotlight, but he kind of liked it that way. He had found it hard to communicate with others around him after his days on the island. He found it easier (and safer) to have acquaintances instead of actual friends. He probably couldn’t bare the thought of having them after what happened to many of them years ago.
A shiver found its way down his spine as images flashed before him. Images depicting horror, bloody spears, starved bodies, and savage smiles.
He shook his head slightly, to do away with the images he had tried so very hard to get rid of, but in the end failed miserably to do so. He promised not only himself, but his psychiatrist as well that he would do better when handling his thoughts and emotions in regards to that place. Then again, Ralph wasn’t good at keeping promises it would seem.
As if the school itself knew he was internally struggling, the bell rang, signaling that their lunch period had finally fallen upon them. Many students immediately jumped out of their seats and made their way out the door, Ralph following slowly, but surely, behind them.
Once out the door and into the crowded hallway, he began making way to his locker. Pushing past other students, but being exceedingly careful to not bump into any of them. He didn’t want to cause any unnecessary attention. Once at his locker, he shoved his books inside after fiddling with the lock for a little bit too long and closed it. As soon as the door shut he was greeted with an all to familiar pearly white smile.
”You’re actually coming to lunch this time , huh?” It was Will, one of his “lunch buddies”, or so Will apparently liked to call them. All they really did was sit at the same table silently together, a joke being cracked between them every once in a while. He was one of the quiet kids too.
Ralph gave him a weary smile back. “Yeah, hopefully they actually have something edible this time.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that. Heard they were serving breakfast for lunch. That could only mean one thing.”
“Soggy eggs and stone cold sausage?” Ralph finished his sentence, raising an eyebrow in his direction. Will snorted. After making their way, both of boys entered the boisterous cafeteria and made their way to the back of the line. They somehow always managed to be the last ones to make it.
After what seemed like eternity, with their trays finally in hand they made their way to their designated table. Which surprisingly enough was completely void of any other students this time.
Ralph was never bothered when eating alongside Will. He was nice and polite. Always making Ralph feel at ease. Although they never really established any form of friendly attraction towards each other, Ralph did consider him to be someone he could trust, somewhat. Will made him feel at ease most of the time, being the total opposite of pretty much everyone else around them. Quiet. Always making him feel like he wasn’t completely lonely, even if he knew was lying to himself about the matter.
Because he was completely and utterly lonely.
Ralph knew it more than anyone else around him. More than his very own family. He was lonely, has been for quite some time now. Maybe it was his own fault for isolating himself from everyone and everything around him as a coping mechanism after what had happened, or maybe it was the universe that had predetermined it for him. His fate bestowed upon him before he was even born.
Did the universe also decide that he, alongside many other young boys, were destined to crash land on an island just for the hell of it?
Or was God the mastermind behind that?
”Ralph, you okay there?”
Will’s voice of concern brought him back to the present. “Uh yeah I’m just thinking about stuff...” His response didn’t seem to ease Will’s expression. “Have you seen the new kid yet? He’s in my PE class. Kind of rare we have a new student here don’t you think?”
Once again the mention of the supposed new student had peaked Ralph’s interests. Although this time he was starting to get a little annoyed with all the excitement surrounding the topic. “No, I haven’t had the chance to meet him. What’s all the hype about anyways?”
With Will being unable to contain his surprise at Ralph’s inquiry, his mouth fell open, along with the soggy eggs falling off his fork. ”You didn’t hear? He was expelled from his other school for pulling a knife out on another student! Apparently he even cut him too, on the lads face right here.” Will glided his thumb across his left cheek, giving Ralph a visual of what allegedly happened. He scoffed at the notion. “I highly doubt anything like that actually happened.”
“Don’t believe me? If you see him why don’t you ask him yourself!” Will smirked. He rolled his eyes in response, lips curled in a light smirk at his jest.
“Oh yeah and stay out of that head of yours. You’ve barely ate anything on your tray and lunch is almost over in 5 minutes top!”
Ralph looked down at his tray and noticed that Will was right. Not a single bite had been taken out of his food. He didn’t think he could stomach it though, no matter how small. He never really had a big appetite and the fact that the food here tasted like absolute rubbish didn’t help either. “I can’t bring myself to eat anything, I might just throw it back up all over you.” He poked back. “Ha, nice one. Can’t argue with you on that.”
With lunch practically ending as soon as it had started, Ralph and Will got rid of their trays and parted ways, both going on to their last few classes of the day. Already completely exhausted, Ralph made his way back to his locker, swinging the steel door open, grabbing the last bit of supplies needed and made his way to his next lecture. Keeping his head down and eyes locked on the floor, he neared his destination, but was abruptly stopped as soon as he rammed into somebody. Or something, whatever it was it felt like he had just smacked into a brick wall.
He quickly glanced up, but didn’t hold eye contact to see exactly who it was. “I’m sorry.” A quiet apology left his lips and he continued on his way. However, a flash of red did enter his vision before he turned his gaze back to the tiled floor. Unbeknownst to him, the person he had bumped into was someone he had already known very well. A little bit too well. Someone who was so much more than just a “new student” to everyone else.
Someone who, as of right now, was intently watching Ralph scurry away. An indescribable glimmer in his eyes. A snicker escaped him as he watched the blond boy fumble into what looked to be his next class. Unable to take his eyes off the boy he had been searching for for so long.
And if the universe or God himself had predetermined this as well, death had decided that it wasn’t quite yet done with Ralph. That the boy wasn’t off the hook just yet.
Death had come back to play.