σ∂∂ мαη συт~ σρєη

[~echo~]

Daron Baker was always known as the bad boy, the one who always went out and partied. He didn't care what anybody thought of him, all he cared about was booze and girls. But even when somebody is just a bad person and it seems like nothing can change him, there is always something that happens. To Daron, it was the loss of his father. When he was sixteen and the only tidbit of guidance in his life was that man, some greater force took him away. Daron shut down completely.

The boy walked into school a year later, his usual leather jacket on and his brown hair messy. His blue eyes were glazed over from a lack of sleep and he didn't acknowledge anybody who tried to speak with him. He slung his school bag over his shoulder and made his way to first period.

(I was thinking that somebody could come along and help him through the tragedy or something- boy or girl, I don't really care. )

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

There was a shuffle of feet, like someone was trying to run down the slick linoleum floor, but the shoes were slippery and couldn't get any traction, "'Scuse me!" A light, happy voice called out and soon the slight frame of another boy came bumping into Daron's shoulder. The boy laughed and nearly went sprawling as he tried to change his weight to keep from knocking Daron over. His shaggy caramel hair flopped into his eyes and it stuck up in various directions when he pushed it back with one hand, "Heh, sorry man, couldn't really put on the brakes."

[~echo~]

Daron growled and readjusted his schoolbag on his shoulder. "Watch where you're going," he said angrily. This day was already shaping up to be crappy. He continued walking and stopped at his locker. He had forgotten the combination so he slammed his fist on the metal and growled to himself.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

"Dude," That same boy heard the clang of fist against metal and chuckled as he walked over to him, "That's not how you open a locker."

[~echo~]

"I know," Daron growled. "I'm not stupid." He gave up and went on towards his Honors Chemistry class.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

"Yeah, well..why'd you do it?" His voice followed him- this kid didn't seem to realize when to give up.

[~echo~]

Daron rolled his eyes and let out a breath. "Look, kid, just go away! I'm busy!"

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

"But you're just walking," He said brightly, "You don't look busy at all."

[~echo~]

DAron whirled around to face him, his eyes full of anger. "I'm going to chemistry! Are you new or something? Hasn't anybody told you not to mess with me?"

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

Henley nibbled on his lower lip, hazel eyes unconcerned about Daron's tone, "Mmm, no, I'm not new. But I never really got a warning."

[~echo~]

"It should be implied," he said, touching his leather jacket. "Leave me alone."

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

A laugh slipped from his lips, "A leather jacket implies that?"

[~echo~]

Daron decided to ignore the boy this time and just walked into the classroom, sitting in the back of the classroom. He couldn't believe his mother was gone...

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

Henley just smirked and wandered into the classroom after a few minutes, so that it didn't seem like he was still following Daron. He just whistled and found a seat in the middle of the class.

[~echo~]

Daron watched the boy come into the classroom but just sat there.

A girl came into the classroom and sat in the desk in the row next to Henley's. She smiled and played with her blonde hair. "Hi," she said. "I saw you trying to talk to.... him," she said. "Bad idea. He doesn't talk nearly as much as he used to."

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

"Used to?" Henley turned to her. His smile was kind, head tilted slightly, "Do you have any idea why?"

[~echo~]

She nodded. "Yeah. His mother died a few months ago... he used to be the life of the party," she commented.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

His expression softened, "He...lost someone?"

[~echo~]

The girl nodded sadly. "I feel really bad for him... but nobody messes with him unless somebody didn't tell them not to."

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

"Well, I mean, I wasn't 'messing' with him," Henley frowned, "I was just trying to talk."