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"Kellin, I swear to god if you don't eat something right now, I'm going to drag you to the sickbay." Vic threatens but I just shake my head looking down at the tray in full of food.

He's convinced I have an eating disorder and he's trying to make me eat.

"Vic, I'm fine." I groan for the thousandth time. "I ate this morning."

"Yeah right, I don't believe you." He says rolling his eyes holding a pear up to my face. "Eat the pear."

I roll my eyes and take the pear out of his hand staring at it.

"Please just eat it, Kells. I hate seeing you slowly destroy yourself." He murmurs.

Okay, now he's being overdramatic. I hate how he cares about me but I love it at the same time. It's been a while since someone actually gave a shit about me.

"Fine." I sigh before taking a bite out of the pear. "Happy now?"

He gives me a nod and I finish the pear. The reason why I don't eat isn't because I think I'm fat or anything like that. Well, I'm not that happy with my reflection but that's not why I skip meals. I don't eat simply because I'm never hungry. Don't ask why because I honestly don't know.

Vic's phone suddenly rings and the caller ID says 'Mama'. He picks up the phone before turning to me.

"I have to answer this. I'll see you in music." He says and I nod before he gets up and leaves the cafeteria.

-------

I walk into the music room, early as always.

"Afternoon Kellin." Mr. Way says not looking up from his laptop.

"Afternoon, sir." I smile before taking my seat at the back.

Mr. Way looks up from his laptop staring at me bewildered.

"Is there a problem sir?" I ask with a chuckle.

"No, no, not at all. You just seem, happy." He says unsurely.

I just shrug.

"This wouldn't have anything to do with that Mexican boy, would it?" He asks grinning teasingly.

"Maybe." I smirk.

"I knew assigning his seat next to yours was a good idea." He sings.

"You assigned his seat next to mine on purpose?" I ask completely shocked.

"Yeah, I hated seeing you by yourself. You're a talented kid Mr. Quinn. It's not fair that everyone picks on you because of your sexual preferences." Mr. Way explains.

"You know about that?" I ask even more shocked.

"Of course I know about it. My ears perk up at the mention of the words fag and homo. I had to put up with that through my school years too." Mr. Way sighs.

"Wait, you're gay?" I ask confused.

"Yep, I'm a flaming homo. I actually have a husband." He explains.

"Wow." I mutter as people start filing into class.

"It was nice talking to you Kellin." Mr. Way smiles.

"Yeah, you too." I reply.

I honestly didn't think he gave a shit about me but he obviously cared enough to want me to have friends. I smile as I pull my notebook open and start continuing on the song I was writing.

About twenty minutes into the class I notice Vic hasn't showed up. Where is he? As if on cue he strolls into the classroom and over to the teacher. Vic hands Mr. Way a note and he nods and tells him quietly to take a seat. Vic walks towards me but something's different about him. He walks the whole way with his head down, his curls falling in front of his face. He takes a seat next to me not even glancing at me.

"Where were you?" I whisper.

"I had to duck home." He mumbles.

"Oh. Are you okay?" I ask sensing that something's wrong.

"Yeah, I'm fine." He whispers but I'm not convinced.

"Vic look at me?" I whisper sternly.

He sighs before looking at me smiling lightly. I gasp at the sight of a bruise forming on his cheek.

"Vic what happened?" I ask horrified.

"I just had an accident. Nothing serious." He murmurs.

"Are you sure?" I ask concerned.

"Yes Kells, I'm sure." He smiles. "I'll talk to you about it later."

I nod and go back to writing.

"What are you writing?" Vic asks and I snap my notebook shut.

"Nothing." I mutter feeling my cheeks heat up.

He just chuckles lowly and I decide I should start paying attention.

"The assignment will be done in pairs."

Assignment? Oh shit. Yeah, I should definitely be listening.

"The song you and your partner perform doesn't have to include lyrics or singing but they're will be extra marks for those that do. Get creative. The most original song will get a prize." Mr. Way concludes.

The class breaks into chatter until Mr. Way interrupts.

"Before you get too excited, your partners are already assigned." Mr. Way chuckles and everyone groans.

He starts calling out names until he gets to my name.

"Kellin you will be paired with Vic." I turn to Vic and smile.

I notice Mr. Way give me a small smile out of the corner of my eye.

"So you play an instrument?" Vic asks and I shake my head.

"Nah, I sing." I murmur.

"That's cool. I can play guitar." He smiles.

"Yeah?" I question and he nods.

"My uncle taught me before he passed." Vic says sadly before he quickly smiles.

"I read your lyrics. I hope you don't mind. I think they're really good." He smiles.

"Oh?" I say my face going red in embarrassment.

"Have you written any full songs?" He asks.

"Just one, the rest are working progresses." I murmur.

"You're so cute when you get all shy." Vic chuckles and I feel my face go even redder if possible.

"Mr. Way." Vic calls getting the teachers attention. "Do you mind if Kellin and I use the recording booth for a few minutes?"

"Feel free." Mr. Way replies.

Vic grabs my hand and I grab my book before Vic drags me into the recording booth. It's dead silent in here cutting off the noise in the classroom. Vic takes a seat on the couch and I sit next to him.

"Sing it for me." Vic grins.

"Sing what?" I ask my stomach dropping.

"The song you wrote. Sing it for me." He smiles.

I think about it for a minute before sighing.

"Tell me what happened to your face first." I bargain.

"A dog ran across the road while I was driving so I slammed on the breaks and hit my face on the steering wheel." Vic explains like it's no big deal. "Now sing for me."

I sigh and open the book finding my finished song. I swallow hard and look back up at Vic who's waiting eagerly with that big goofy smile plastered on his face.

"Do I have to?" I whine.

"We had a deal." Vic points out and I nod.

I look down at the book again and nervously start singing.

"Father, father, tell me where have you been?

It's been hell not having you here

I've been missing you so bad

And you don't seem to care

When I go to sleep at night, you're not there

When I go to sleep at night, do you care?

Do you even miss us?

Your bottle's your mistress

I need to know, I need to know

Why are you walking away?

Was it something I did?

Did I make a mistake cause

I'm trying to deal with the pain

I don't understand this, is this how it ends?

I will try to understand."

My voice cracks as I feel myself getting emotional but I manage to clear my throat and compose myself.

"Father, father, tell me where are you now?

It's been hell not having you

Last thing I heard, you were fed up, you're skipping town

With no note telling where

When I go to sleep at night, you're not there

When I go to sleep at night, do you care?

I need to know, I need to know

Why are you walking away?

Was it something I did?

Did I make a mistake cause

I'm trying to deal with the pain

I don't understand this, is this how it ends?

Why are you running away?

I don't understand this, is this how it ends?

Why are you running away?

Tell me please, tell me please, I need to know

Is this what you call a family?

Is this what you call a family?

Is this what you call a family?

Is this what you call a family?

Spent seven years wishing that you'd drop the line

But I carry the thought along with you in my mind

But is this what you call a family?

Is this what you call a family?

Family!

Why are you walking away?

Was it something I did?

Did I make a mistake cause

I'm trying to deal with the pain

I don't understand this, is this how it ends?

Why are you running away?

I don't understand this, is this how it ends?

Why are you running away?

Tell me please, tell me please, I need to know

Is this what you call a family?

Is this what you call a family?

Is this what you call a family?

Is this what you call a family?"

I finish singing a take a deep breath before looking back up at Vic.

He's looking at me concerned.

"Wow Kells, that was deep." He mumbles and I shrug trying to play it off cool but a tear rolls down my cheek foiling my plan.

He pulls me into a hug and I bury my face into his neck sniffling.

"Sorry." I mumble.

"Hey, it's okay." Vic whispers rubbing my back.

He pulls away and wipes the tear from my cheek.

"Talk to me, Kells." He whispers grabbing my hand. "What happened with your father?"

I take a deep breath and Vic squeezes my hand.

"He cheated on my Mom the whole time they were together. I walked in on him four years ago fucking some whore so I did the right thing and told my mom. They fought and my dad left. I haven't heard from him since. My mom hasn't been the same since. She's drinking all the time and sometimes she blames me for him leaving. I guess it is kind of my fault. I probably should've kept my mouth shut and let my parents live in blissful ignorance." I explain.

"Hey, that was not your fault. You did the right thing Kells. She would've found out sooner or later."

I nod knowing Vic probably right.

"So what's with your life?" I ask trying to change the subject.

"What do you mean?" He says furrowing his eyebrows.

"I mean you live in a mansion. Are your parents like rich or something?" I ask really interested, or maybe I'm just nosey.

Vic runs his hand through his hair and lets out a heavy breath.

"When my uncle died he left a will but the person who he wanted to leave all his stuff to was unable to claim it. Since he wasn't married, the closest member of the family got everything and that was my father. I never knew that my uncle was loaded, neither did anyone else. He was like a secret millionaire. It's funny because my uncle always used to tell me, money doesn't buy happiness. And I guess it was true. For a millionaire he lived pretty simply. He had a small house with an ordinary car but he was still the happiest person I knew." Vic concludes.

"Wow, he seems like a great guy." I smile.

"Yeah, he was." Vic mumbles. "We should probably get started on this project."

I nod but I can't help to feel that there's more to Vic's story.

~~

Hope everyone's enjoying this so far.  Thanks to everyone who voted on the last chapter. Vote/comment. Don't be a sad bean, be a smol bean :)

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