Following Jayce's POV

A month and a half had passed. Jayce had accumulated a lot of work already from his classes. His relationship with Viktor didn't improve either, though Jayce doubted it ever would. Viktor was always locked away in his room nowadays, only coming out to go to the kitchen or bathroom.

Though, those were still opportunities to insult or make comments towards the man. It always amused Jayce when he saw the outsider tense up slightly with frustration or annoyance.

_______

He made his way towards his first class of the day, having grown used to waking up early. For him, school had been going quite well. He was maintaining high grades, his football practice was going well, and he'd even made a few more friends. One of which being an attractive woman in his second class named Mel. The two had grown quite close to one another over the past month, often hanging out after classes when they had free time.

"Jayce, hey!" James greeted as Jayce sat down beside him, settling into his seat.

"Hey, man, what's going on?"

"Nothing much, how's football practice been?"

Jayce shrugged. "Tiring as always. Our first game is coming up soon, though!"

"Well, good luck with that," James said, nodding.

The quick, short strides of Professor Heimerdinger filled the room as he entered the lecture hall, standing in front of screen he had on the wall.

"Good morning, students," he greeted, fiddling with his computer. "If you remember from the syllabus, we have a partner project approaching."

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that," James muttered, nodding.

Jayce opened his mouth to reply, but was cut off as the professor kept speaking. He'd pulled up a presentation on the screen.

"Now, whenever we work on projects this year, I will allow you all to pick your own partners. You are not children, and I expect you to choose wisely.

"Nice!" Jayce turned to James, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Partners?"

"Ah, I would," James chuckled a bit, "but I might partner with Aurora."

Jayce followed James' gaze over to the woman. She waved at James.

Jayce blinked, feeling slightly betrayed. However, he just shrugged, knowing James liked her.

"Alright, no worries," Jayce replied. "I'll just find another partner."

"Before you all begin to find your partners," Professor Heimerdinger called, signalling for the students to settle. "Let me go over what this project will be about."

Jayce took notes occasionally as the professor spoke. The partners were supposed to work together to come up with an idea of something that could potentially change the lives of anyone using it. They'd have to have blueprints and detailed descriptions of the invention. They'd also have to use mathematical equations whilst creating it.

"Alright, students," Professor Heimerdinger chimed. "You may take the rest of today's class time to find your partner and discuss your ideas with them. If you have any questions, please come ask me. Once you find your partner, come tell me and I will write it down. Remember that you only have three weeks to work on this."

Only three weeks? That was plenty of time to Jayce. Jayce stood, looking around for anyone he could partner with now, seeing as James didn't want to partner with him. He shuffled around the room, asking people who he vaguely knew if they wanted to partner with him, though they were all already partnered up with someone else.

Jayce went and sat back down at his table with a sigh. He'd asked nearly everyone in the class. He supposed he'd just be working by himself for this project. The room quieted as students whispered to one another about project idea.

"Jayce Talis?" Professor Heimerdinger asked, looking up from his desk. "Can I speak to you for a moment down here?"

Jayce blinked for a moment. "Oh, sure," he responded, heading down the steps towards the professor's desk.

"Sir?" Jayce asked, standing in front of the desk.

"I don't see your name on the partners list. Do you have a partner?" Professor Heimerdinger asked.

"Oh, uh- No, sir. I don't," Jayce replied.

"I can partner you up with someone," the professor suggested. "I'd hate for you to have to work by yourself."

Jayce perked up a bit, nodding.

"Yes, please!" He said, not wanting to have to do it by himself.

"Alright, let me see here," Heimerdinger nodded, trailing his finger down a list of student names.

Jayce waited as the professor counted who all already had partners.

"Ah, yes! You could partner with Viktor!" Professor Heimerdinger said, nodding towards the far corner of the class.

Since the room was quiet, it wasn't hard to hear what Professor Heimerdinger had said. Jayce's stomach dropped and he followed the professor's gaze. Viktor snapped his head up from his notebook, eyes widened a bit as he heard his name. He made eye contact with Jayce for a split second before standing quickly, making his way down the steps carefully.

"Uh- With all due respect, Professor, I find that to be a horrible idea," the Russian said quickly, his accent mixing with the words, making them a bit hard to pick up on at times.

"Why's that?" Professor Heimerdinger asked, gazing up at Viktor.

"Yeaaah, why is that?" Jayce asked, a smug look settling on his face.

"We just don't get along," Viktor explained vaguely. "Can- can I please just work by myself for this project?"

"You know, you won't get along with everyone you meet, Viktor," the professor said. "Nor will you always have the option to work by yourself."

Viktor opened his mouth to protest but closed it, blinking.

"It's settled then," Heimerdinger said. "You two will work together for this project. Understood?"

"..Yes, Professor," Viktor mumbled, defeated.

Jayce nodded.

"Very well then, my boys! You two will work together."

Without another, Jayce watched as Viktor turned quietly, struggling up the steps as he made his way back to his desk.

"Poor boy," Professor Heimerdinger muttered quietly, only Jayce hearing.

This interested Jayce, though the professor had gone back to his work before he could ask what he meant by that. Jayce made it back to his desk in time for the bell to ring, dismissing the class.

James patted him in the back as he passed Jayce, muttering to him quickly.

"I heard who your partner was. Good luck working with an outsider."

Jayce sighed, shaking his head, replying.

"It's gonna suck. It could've been anyone! But nooo. It had to be him and I as partners."