Following Jayce's POV

The week had gone by fast, and before he knew it, it was Monday. School started today. Jayce woke up at 10:15, squinting due to the sunlight. He stood up and threw on an outfit, checking himself out in the mirror he bought recently, observing his outfit. He wore a long-sleeved, dark maroon shirt with a buttoned, gray vest over it and a thin, white waistcoat covering the vest. He tucked a red tie under his vest and put on a pair of gray pants.

As he left his bedroom, he noticed Viktor already slipping from the dorm, his cane clanking after him. Shrugging a bit, Jayce headed for the kitchen, opening a cupboard. Recently, Viktor had gone out and bought more cereal for himself.

"He won't mind if I eat some," Jayce told himself, grabbing a box and fixing himself a bowl of cereal.

After eating, Jayce grabbed his phone and left the dorm, locking it behind him. He headed for his first class, one he luckily had with one of his friends. The weather outside was shifting as he walked along, clouds growing darker as they chilled the morning air. His first class was only a building away, luckily. He climbed the stairs to the building, checking the time.

10:25. Perfectly on time. As he entered his engineering and technology class, he spotted his friend, James. Walking over quickly, he sat down beside in the chair beside him, striking a conversation while waiting for the other students to filter into the room.

After about ten minutes, almost everyone had taken their seats. The lecture hall's door opened and closed once more. Jayce noticed the familiar sound of metal clanking. He turned, noticing Viktor hobbling his way into the room. He looked embarrassed, even though he was on time for class. The Russian seemed to curl in on himself as the students' eyes rested on Viktor. They must've not been used to the noise Viktor's leg brace had made.

How could they be used to it? As far as Jayce was aware, Viktor never went out and socialized. He noticed Viktor shift a bit, the room growing a bit quieter at the sound of his leg brace clinking together.

"Uh... S-sorry for the noise," the Russian stuttered a bit. "Didn't mean to, uh- Uhm, interrupt.."

"That's alright, my boy," the professor called from the bottom of the lecture hall. "Just find a seat and we'll begin."

Viktor dipped his head a bit. Not once did he ever glance up from the floor during the interaction. Jayce watched as Viktor found a seat that isolated himself from the others in the top right of the room. The corner was a bit darker than the rest of the room. Students whispered amongst themselves for a few moments as they turned their attention away from Viktor.

"Ew, the outsider's in this class," James muttered to Jayce.

Jayce shrugged a bit at the obvious statement, turning to face James now.

"Y'know, you'd think he'd be able to make that leg brace quieter, seeing as he's in a smart class. It's so obnoxiously loud," James continued, eyeing Viktor out of the corner of his eye.

"I know! At least you don't have to hear it twenty-four-seven," Jayce scoffed, crossing his arms. "It's annoying."

"I bet it is. I feel sorry for you."

"Class is beginning now!" A loud call shook Jayce and James from their conversation. They turned their attention towards the professor.

"Welcome, students to your first day of engineering and technology! I'm Professor Heimerdinger and I will be teaching you all this semester."

The class remained quiet, listening to the professor speak.

"As you see on your tables, you all have this year's syllabus."

Professor Heimerdinger would be rambling for the next hour and twenty-five minutes, explaining what this class was and what to expect during their year whilst taking it.

"Engineering and technology is no easy class, so if you're looking for a simple class, I suggest you head to the academy's office and switch classes before it's too late," he had said.

Jayce leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes while listening to the professor ramble on and on.

_______

Something sharp prodded Jayce's shoulder. Surprised by movement, Jayce nearly fell back in his chair, shooting a glare over at a snickering James.

"Professor Heimerdinger just finished his lecture," James said, gazing at all the students who were packing up and heading for the lecture hall's doors.

"Oh! I didn't realize I fell asleep," Jayce chuckled, stuffing the syllabus into his bag. "Why didn't you wake me?"

"It was kinda funny seeing to leaning back in your chair. Your head was tipped all the back and your mouth was wide open. I'm still surprised you didn't snore."

Jayce rolled his eyes. "I'm going to have to get used to waking up early again."

The two stood and Jayce stretched, yawning.

"Oh, after our next classes, Mark, Scott, and I are going to meet up and do something. You wanna come with?" James asked as the two shuffled down the row of tables they had sat at.

"Of course! Can't stay for the whole afternoon, though. I have practice at three o'clock."

As the two were climbing the steps to leave the lecture hall, Jayce noticed Viktor still sitting in his seat. He must've been waiting for the rest of the class to leave before he did.

"The guy's so weird," James said, noticing Viktor as well. "At least he's staying out of our way."

Jayce nodded. "Yeah, I heard before he's tripped people with his cane on accident."

"Well, it's a good thing he's learned to stay behind everyone now!" James said loudly.

Jayce noticed something flicker in Viktor's eyes as the light hit them just right when his friend had said that. He noticed Viktor's head drop a bit more than it usually did.

"Yeah, it is," Jayce agreed, paying no mind to Viktor anymore as the two exited the lecture hall.

"Well, this is where we part," James said, patting Jayce on the back.

"Suppose so," Jayce nodded. "I have an extra thirty minutes to kill, though. I'll meet you, Mark, and Scott at the front of the building at 1:30 after classes."

James nodded and Jayce watched as the shorter man set off to his next class. Having nothing better to do with his time, Jayce found a bench to sit on and relax for the next thirty minutes. As he sat there, he heard a noise coming from the distance.

He heard Viktor before he actually saw him. The outsider didn't seem to notice Jayce as he shuffled closer, muttering words to himself as he did so. Jayce lifted a brow, silently laughing as he extended a leg as Viktor was passing him, tripping him up.

As Viktor stumbled forward over Jayce's leg, he lost his hold on his cane along with losing his balance, falling to the ground. The Russian flinched as he hit the ground, grabbing his leg and holding it for a few moments. Jayce burst into a small fit of laughter, only pausing after noticing Viktor holding his leg.

Maybe he'd gone too far.

"Hey- Are you alright?" He extended his hand to help the man up.

"You're a bitch," the other replied coldly, smacking Jayce's hand away from him.

"Rude, I was only trying to help you, idiot," Jayce thought, watching the man stumble to his feet, picking up his cane.

Though, once again, Viktor didn't look at him. He only ever gazed at the ground the entire time. Jayce watched as Viktor hobbled off, his limp heavier this time.