Ezra Pierce.
Eldest son of Mayor Charlotte Pierce.
A well-mannered young man of nineteen years. He was and still is, considered the golden child of Runswick. Respectful, responsible, kind, empathic, charming, the list could go on with positive adjectives. The point being, that every parent saw him as an example of how their children should be. Every boy wanted to be him. Every girl wanted to be with him.
The other three males were also considered gifted in many ways, but not quite on the same level as Ezra. There was an unspoken rumor. That dear Mrs. Mayor Pierce held favoritism for her oldest son and that Nova Pierce resented Ezra for that fact. These were of course only rumors and had never been proven to be true. Yet, there were cases where pitiful and spiteful students had mentioned these rumors to Nova directly, and those said students had gotten beaten up.
So maybe. Just maybe. There were some parts of the rumors that were true.
The h/c haired boy blinked rapidly as if he believed his eyes were lying to him.
¨Ezra??¨
the steel blue-eyed male gave him a kind smile. Y/n could feel his shock and annoyance die out as he felt warmth radiating off the ash-blond.
¨Im very sorry Y/n, I didn't mean to frighten you.¨
Y/n shook his head lightly ¨No it's fine I just...um? Wasn't expecting anyone else to be here at this time?¨ He uttered looking around the hallway but noticing no other students. The ash blond chuckled in response ¨I understand that, i wasn't expecting to see other students as well, especially you. I often come a half hour or so early to catch up on homework or just let my thoughts wander.¨
Y/n hummed, slightly unconvinced, but then again who was he to say what Ezra did or did not do with his free time?
¨So, is there a reason you snuck up behind me?¨ The h/c haired jested nervously
Ezra shrugged heartily ¨ I wanted to talk to you, but you seemed busy so I waited til you were done¨
Y/n raised a brow ¨Annnd...how did you do that without making a sound? You nearly gave me a heart attack.¨ The ash blond grinned ¨ It's just a skill of mine, adapted it over the years.¨
¨Hmmm. I see! it's pretty cool when you think about it, reminds me of some stealth ninja stuff, you know.¨ The ash blond let out a light scoff in amusement before ruffling the h/c haired boy's hair in a friendly manner. ¨You haven't changed one bit.¨ Y/n crossed his arms ¨What do you mean by that?¨ Ezra gave him a look.
¨Okay, okay.¨ the e/c eyed boy tilted his head and shot the other boy a toothy grin to which Ezra smirked slightly
¨So what made you come back into town?¨ The ash blond questioned. Y/n deadpanned 'Are they all gonna ask me that?' The male batted his lashes over his eyes and went with the answer he practically had scripted in his mind. ¨i needed a change of scenery and missed Runswick.¨
The male opened his eyes and was startled when he saw Ezra's face was mere inches away from his own, a stern scowl decorated his features. ¨What happened to your eye?¨ Y/n looked confused before he remembered his faded black eye from days ago. He found it slightly impressive that Ezra could spot it due it already very faded look. It appeared Ezra had become more observant of his surroundings over the years.
The boy felt relucted to answer and bit the inside of his cheek before opening his mouth ¨I fell.¨ Ezra kept staring at him with a scowl as if the ash blond knew he was lying and looking straight through his very soul to urge for an answer. Just as Y/n felt the air around them becoming thick, Ezra dropped his scowl, and back was his gentle smile ¨Okay if you say so, Y/n.¨
The h/c haired male looked him up and down, he was wearing the standard school uniform, but there was one thing that stood out. 'Is Ezra wearing nail polish?¨ Y/n narrowed his eyes slightly, Ezra was indeed wearing a coating of black nail polish, 'Hm, he is, it looks nice' he raised his head back to meet sights with the blue-eyed male.
¨Do you wanna take a walk together around school before classes start?¨ Ezra asked
¨ Yeah sure¨
The males were walking through the limited lit up school hallway. There was a comforting silence the first few minutes of the walk, Y/n had one question itching at his curiosity ¨How have you been, around these times?¨ Ezra glanced at him ¨I've been good.¨" The h/c bit the inside of his cheek debating whether he should continue. ¨And what about the serial killer in town?¨
Ezra stopped walking. Y/n looked back at him ¨You okay?¨ The ash blond gave him an intense stare but before y/n could blink Ezra gave him a small uncomfortable smile. ¨Sorry, you are one of the only people I've heard speak so..openly? about the problems in town, most people dance around the subjects¨
Y/n gave him a befuddled expression ¨Why?¨ Ezra shrugged ¨People think it's taboo, as though mentioning it directly will bring bad luck or something.¨
¨Do you believe that?¨
Ezra gave him a dubious look ¨No..not really. But most people do so it's just a little surprising hearing someone even say the word 'serial killer in a sentence.¨
¨à can see why they're scared to mention it though¨ Ezra shot him a confused look ¨why do you say that?¨
¨Well..¨"Y/n pursued his lips in thoughtfulness ¨For example if you say something conservational and it falls on the wrong ears..¨ He bit his lip ¨Well maybe not that morbid, but perhaps also to respect the family and friends of the victims?¨ Ezra hummed in agreement ¨I see both your points, they both make sense in a way, i think it is a mix of the two, fear but wanting to show respect, yet maybe also denial?¨
Y/n nodded ¨ I could definitely see people being in some sort of denial around here, like a form of ' don't see, don't hear, don't speak¨
¨ You're really smart, you know that right? maybe you should become the lead detective.¨
The h/c haired chuckled nervously at the compliment ¨I don't know if I would be cut out for that job, and besides, my mom is back in her position as lead detective and is working on the case.¨
¨She is?¨
¨Yes, she told me on our car ride to Runswick that the sheriff asked her to take the case and she accepted.¨
¨Hm. I didn't know that.¨
¨Now you do.¨
Ezra put his hands in his pockets ¨So when did you come back to Runswick?¨ He shot the h/c haired a grin. ¨About two days ago.¨ Ezra's face dropped to a sad smile ¨May I ask why you didn't bother telling any of us? we could have helped you get settled into the school.¨ The male felt guilt tugging his chest as he stared at Ezra's face ¨Look...im sorry i was just really busy.¨
¨ Were you busy or did you just forget us?¨
Y/n opened his mouth to debunk Ezra's statement
¨Because you didn't say goodbye to us when you left, so perhaps you really forgot us¨
¨...' The h/c haired male didn't know what to say he knew What the ash blond was partially true. He hadn't forgotten them because he didn't care. he did care about them, they had been his closest friends. Life had just gotten in the way, he knew it wasn't an excuse and he didn't know how he could make it up to them.
¨Just joking.¨ Y/n looked up at the male in confoundment. Ezra rubbed his neck ¨Sorry, I tend to have a horrible sense of humor¨
Y/n chuckled tensely ¨ It's okay. I can make some grim jokes as well so I can get used to it.¨
Ezra smiled ¨Well I'm glad to hear that, most people never get used to my humor.¨ The ash blond cleared his throat ¨its almost time for the first period. I can bring you to your first class.¨
Ezra walked Y/n to his Homeroom class and walked him to his seat. Y/n ignored the shocked expressions the rest of the students had seeing him walk in with Ezra Pierce of all people.
They kept talking to one another for a few seconds before Ezra excused himself to go to his own classes. ¨I need to go Y/n but I'll see you later?¨ Y/n nodded ¨yes I'll talk to you when I have time.¨ Ezra smiled at him before waving him goodbye. But just before he left the threshold of the classroom he met sights with Clark and Kiara who were watching on dumbfounded and sent them a blank stare before leaving.
Y/n turned around to regard his two classmates as he went to greet them Clark started speaking ¨Why were you with Ezra Pierce?¨ he hissed.
Y/n looked at the brown-haired boy ¨ he came up to me and we started talking and then he offered to walk me to class.¨ He let out nonchalantly. Clark gave Y/n a disturbed look ¨ I would recommend staying away from him, he's not what he seems, or any of them for that matter.¨
Y/n glared at him ¨You don't know him.¨
¨I know his type.¨
Y/n hardened his frown ¨ what's that supposed to mean?¨
Clark crossed his arms ¨ I'm just warning you. if you wanna associate yourself with them, that's on you¨ Kiara put a hand on the brunette's shoulder ¨Hey don't be so rude towards Y/n.¨ in return Clark huffed and looked away and Kiara leaned over to Y/n ¨Sorry about him.¨
Homeroom went by rather slowly, Y/n assumed it was because of the tense silence between the trio. 'What is his problem? I get if Clark doesn't get along with them but why does he have to take it out on me?' The bell began buzzing signaling their next class was about to start.
The h/c haired boy remembered the class he had after his respective class with Nova. 'i was going to ask Clark and Kiara for directions but..' Y/n glanced at the duo 'Perhaps it's for the best if I leave them alone for a while and ask nova for help.' He sucked in a breath and stood up to get moving to his next class.
As he stepped into the class he shared with Nova he noticed that the boy was not sitting at his place a few seats away from Y/n but had chosen a seat right next to the h/c haired male. When his ice blue eyes got sight of Y/n he smiled at him and waved.
'They became friendly overnight. or i guess the brothers, i still have yet to meet Elio and Roy again.¨ Y/n gave Nova a small smile back and went to sit next to him ¨Hey Nova how are you?¨
¨im fine, you?¨
¨I'm good thanks,¨
About two minutes passed and their teacher hadnt showed up. Nova took this this opportunity to talk with Y/n. ¨Did you get what you needed from the convenience store?¨ he asked. Y/n looked at him ¨Hm? oh, yea we did.¨
Nova leaned his elbow on his desk and rested his head on his head ¨Did you manage to get home safe?¨
¨Yes we both did.¨
¨So nothing strange happened while you guys were walking home, right?¨
Y/n choked on his saliva. ¨Sorry, what did you say?¨ Nova smiled gently ¨nothing happened while you guys went home?¨
How.
Nova seemed to notice his freakout ¨I just wanted to make sure you got home. i care about you.¨ Y/n watched him warily. He didnt suspect Nova of anything, he just didnt know if he wanted to tell the ash blondabout the creep in the woods. The image of the stranger with their finger to their mouth flashed in his mind and he shivered. He didnt know if stranger meant dont tell Kiara anything, or dont tell anyone anything.
He didn't wanna risk it.
¨No. Nothing, well exept that my mom wasn't that happy when she found out but other than that it was peaceful.¨
Nova hummed and looked away, if it was because of Y/n's feeble attempts at lying or if he believed him, The h/c haired boy remained unclear.
About 10 minutes passed and no sign of their teacher. a few students had already started leaving.
Nova looked at him once again ¨I heard from Ezra that your mom is back as lead detective' Y/n gave him a conflicted look and Nova chuckled ¨We share homeroom together and he told me.¨ The h/c haired boy let out a 'oh'. Just as Nova was about to continue speaking a older woman came dashing in.
¨Sorry students for my delay.¨ she said out of breath.
Nova gave her an annoyed glance. But the woman either didnt notice or didnt care. ¨Lets start with the lesson, we've already lost a lot of time so we gotta speed up the pace.¨
When the bell rung and the remaining students started leaving for their next period Y/n remembered a favor he had to ask Nova before he left. HE turned to the ash blonde boy to get his attention ¨Hey Nova can i ask you something?¨
Nova perked up at the sound of his voice ¨Yes Y/n?¨
¨Do you know where the chemistry lab is located?¨ Nova nodded ¨Great can you please show me the way? its my next class.¨ Nova flashed him a grin and threw his bag over his shoulder ¨Yes of course.¨
Nova was guiding Y/n to the chemistry lab with the boy trailing behind him. ¨Here we are Y/n.¨ The blue eyed male pointed towarrds a door infront of him. Y/n glanced up at the sign above the door.
'Chemistry Lab'
Y/n smiled at Nova. "Thanks man I appreciate the help." Nova patted him on the shoulder and waved him goodbye as he began striding away.
Y/n opened the door to the lab and went in. He scanned the room and his eyes landed on a boy on the front row.
Black hair, obsidian eyes that where framed behind a pair of spectacles.
Elio Levine, Son of Alice Levine, Also known as Headmistress of Runswick High School.
Elio was extremely smart, top of his class infact. Which earned him the admiration of the students around him. He was much like his friends. Very handsome. With many admirers, despite this Elio was also known to be very quiet, rarely talked to anyone outside his friend group, he was apathetic, he wore a monotonous facial expression almost any time of day.
But people at the school knew better than to mess with him.
Y/n muttered a curse under his breath 'Really know?' Black eyes met his own and they both stayed staring at each other before the teacher noticed him "Ah, Mr, L/n. You're just on time. Please take seat."
Y/n nodded and went to sit down. He chose three seats away from Elio. But no matter how hard he try to ignore it. He could still feel the black haired boy's eyes on him.
'do I have something on my face? Why does he keep staring?!'
The teacher began speaking "okay students since its alresdy a few weks into the school year, its time we start on our yearly Chemistry assignments, where you choose one topic that intrigue you then write an essay on it."
Y/n wasn't really listening to his teacher's speech, he was too busy making sure he didn't let his sanity slip and he punched Elio's teeth in.
"This year's assignments will be in pairs of two." Grunts and groans where heard across classroom
"Now, now. Its not all bad students, atleast you don't have to do a entire essay yourself" That didn't help the students from grunting and groaning from protest.
Y/n, since you're new and missed weeks of lessons, and might not know alot about the subjects we've discussed. So I feel pair you up with Elio Levine, since he's one of my best students and he will help you grasp the basics of the subjects so you can make a good essay.
Y/n blood ran cold for a moment and peered at the obsidian eyes staring at him.
'What? Me? And him? Working on an essay? '
'Are you serious right now?'
Author: Hey! I literally stayed up all night to write this chapter. I have no clue why I did so but I did. So... yay. Sleep deprived. And it's a Monday. Even better!