Monsterhearts:Made to Endure

Wednesday August 13th, 2:00 PM
Wildomar Elsinore High School
**After the events of Swim Class, Chris and Liam are headed for their next class. Mr. Hammer's English II. As Chris and Liam get to class, the students don't seem to be ready for class at all, standing around talking and laughing with one another. Mr. Hammer doesn't seem to be anywhere, in the corner is a Teacher's Assistant, but she's just doing homework. Odie is sitting in the back of the class with a bunch of kids standing around him, handing him things. Sitting in a desk to Odie's left is Dustin, who has his hood up and is listening to music with a pair of headphones and a walkman, he has his eyes closed and he leaning back in his chair.**

**Chris**: **He walks into class with his head down a bit, the voice he heard in the bathroom unnerved him, but at the same time he's having trouble really remembering what happened, and his mind's natural desire to rationalize things is slowly convincing him that he just heard another student, or imagined it. He moves passed a few kids and sits in the seat of Odie's left, the events of the first day at school weighing heavily on him. He looks forwards to the board, just wanting the schoolday to be over. He silently remembers that he's going to have to fight Blake after school and sighs louder, sinking into his seat slowly.**

**Odie**: **He's speaking quickly like bookie at the horse races.** Alright people, odds are up to five-to-one, place you bets. Blake the Beefsteak Quake versus Kentucky Kid Chris Courier. Place your bets people. **He takes money from a few more of the kids.** Last call to hand in your bets! **He rolls the dollars and bills into wads of cash and puts them into his backpack.**

**Liam**: **He pushes up passed a few of the kids suddenly.** I got ten bucks on Chris. **He pulls a ten out of his pocket and puts it on the desk in front of Odie.**

**Chris**: **Liam betting on him catches his attention, and he looks away, sinking farther into his seat, knowing that he's going to probably get his head crushed. He starts to feel sick to his stomach.**

**Odie**: Bet'n high on Kentucky huh Liam? **He takes the money.**

**Liam**: Well it's only ten bucks, plus I think Chris can take Blake. **He looks over at Chris and smiles slightly.** Right Chris?

**Chris**: **He looks at Liam sheepishly.** Sure... **He looks back down at his desk.**

**Odie**: **As people begin to clear from around Odie he looks over at Chris.** I'm cheerin for ya Kentucky. Can't be there though, detention an all.

**Chris**: **He's looking down at the empty top of his desk.** I'm sure you'll hear all about it afterwards anyway...

**Odie**: My right hand'll be there as my witness. Right Dustin? **He looks over and pats Dustin on the shoulder a few times.**

**Dustin**: Wouldn't miss it for the world. **He smirks and looks over at Chris, before turning away and closing his eyes, leaning back in his chair again.**

**Liam**: **He sits down in the seat in front of Chris, setting his pack on the desk. He drums his fingers on it, excited about the fight.**

**Shane**: **As the late bell rings, he walks up passed Liam and sits down in the desk across from him, the one in front of Odie. He looks at Liam and smirks mischievously.** Were you betting on the fight after school? **Something about Shane is different. The way he looks at Liam almost intensely, but his demeanor somehow calm and casual. When he speaks his clear blue eyes peer directly into Liam's whenever their gaze meets.**

**Liam**: I- **He looks away from Shane, downwards. The pangs of the massive panic he had earlier setting back in.** I bet on Chris...

**Shane**: Yeah? **He looks over at Chris.** Think "Dead Meat" is gonna win huh? **There's a softness to his voice, making it sound smooth and sly. After a moment he turns in his seat and looks at Odie.** Still taking bets man?

**Odie**: **He's writing down bets on a sheet of graph paper.** I'll take one more if you still want in. **He looks up from the paper at Shane and tilts his head slightly, unsure of why Shane is sitting so close to him, but more especially Liam and Chris, since Shane is popular enough to generally sit wherever he wants.**

**Shane**: **His eyes slowly shift to look at Liam and he slowly slides his hand down the back of his pants, into his back pocket, and he pulls his wallet out, flipping it open and pulling out a few bills.** I'll put twenty-five on Chris. **He keeps his eyes on Liam the entire time he speaks, sliding the bills over Odie's desk for him to take.**

**Chris**: **He watches the display in confusion, unsure of just what the hell is happening with Shane, and why he'd bet that much money on a guy that's going to lose. In the end is just makes him feel worse and he somehow sinks even farther down into his seat.**

**Odie**: Twenty-five on Chris. **He takes the money and divides it up, putting the bills in appropriate stacks and then rolling them up.** Alright guys. Bets are done, I'll be here in detention after school today with the bets. Winnings will be dispersed tomorrow morning before school. **He shoves the money into his backpack, which is stuffed full of wads of cash. There's easily more than thousand bucks total.**

**Shane**: You got this "Dead Meat", me and Liam will be there for you, right Liam? **He smirks, turning in his seat to look forwards. As he turns, his eyes linger on Liam for a moment before he looks forwards.**

**Liam**: **He looks at Shane for a moment, looking directly into the other boy's eyes. He quickly breaks the look and nods quickly before looking back down.**

**Mr. Hammer**: **He finally walks into class, speaking loudly as he does.** Alright students, get to your seats! Let's get class started! **He motions to his Teacher's Assistant, who grabs a stack of papers off his desk and starts handing them out. Mr. Hammer begins erasing the chalkboard.** I'm your teacher Mr. Hammer... **He begins to recite a similar speech to what Chris and Liam heard in Homeroom this morning.**

***Later that day, just after school has let out...***

**Students scramble loudly through the Quad as one large river of teenagers, flowing out of the front and back of the school.**

**Dustin**: **He's following Chris closely, carrying a skateboard under one arm.** Still got time to chicken out New Kid. **He's smiling deviously.** Just be sure you move back to Ohio or whatever, if you do.

**Chris**: **He sighs very quietly, balling up one of his fists as he almost wants to just punch Dustin in the face for being so annoying.** Just lead me to the Jack in the Box, or whatever-the-hell.

**Dustin**: **He grabs Chris's sleeve and pulls him towards the back exit.** This way then, champ. **He throws his skateboard in front of him and jumps on, coasting ahead.**

**Liam**: **He catches up to Chris and Dustin.** So you're really gonna go Chris?

**Chris**: I said I would. **He glances over at Liam for a moment before looking forward, following a few paces behind Dustin to the exit of the school.**

**Shane**: **He runs up next to Liam, slowing down and walking almost uncomfortably close to him.** Just gotta remember there's no rules in a fight like this man, you see a cheap shot against Blake, you take it.

**Chris**: Not the first fight I've been in... **He keeps looking forward.**

**Liam**: **He looks at Shane as he runs up and then turns to Chris after he's stopped speaking.** How many fights *have* you been in Chris?

**Chris**: Enough. **He bites the inside of his lower lip.**

**Shane**: Yeah? How many of those fights did you win?

**Chris**: Enough. **He stares forwards.**

**As they leave the school, Dustin leads them up the side of the road and then across the street to the Jack in the Box parking lot. There's already a ton of kids assembled, one large groups is obviously the football team. The team's cars are all parked in a way to keep adults from seeing what's happening at the center of the groups, with a large VW van blocking the view from the Jack in the Box itself. Blake is sitting on the hood of his car, a red corvette, Lilith is standing next to him, and their group is laughing and talking loudly, but they all go quiet as they see Dustin lead Chris up into the parking lot and to the center of the group.**

**Blake**: **He pushes off of his car and stands up, walking forwards as people spread out to make a ring.** New kid actually showed up! How 'bout that guys! **He balls his hand into a fist and punches it into his other open hand.** You got some balls new kid. Too bad you'll be drinking them through a straw at the hospital by this time tomorrow. **He cracks his neck.**

**Dustin**: **He glides on his skateboard passed Blake and towards the far side, propping the board up at the back and turning to look at Chris as he stops and stands next to Lilith. It's obvious where his allegiances are as he crosses his arms over his chest, Lilith nudges him and says something that Chris and the others can't hear, and both of them just smile at Chris.**

**Chris**: Let's just get this over with Blake, I don't give a shit about the shit-talking part. You aren't smart enough to say anything I haven't already heard. **He throws his backpack away towards where Liam is and turns his hands into fists. Staring at Blake's face... Fills him with determination.**

**Blake**: You're gonna wish you never came to this school kid. **He steps forwards quickly, immediately punching with his right fist and slamming Chris directly in the side of his mouth with blinding speed.**

**Roll to with** ***Cold*** **to decide how well Chris holds up against the punch.**

**Taylor**: **(Rolling with** ***Cold*** **3 + 2 + 2** **Cold** **is 7.** **Marking experience.)**

**Chris is sent spinning to the side and onto the ground. He takes 1** Harm**. He's still conscious.**

**Blake**: **He laughs obnoxiously** HA-HA! Didn't see that coming did you dumbass? Who taught you how to take a punch, your grandma?!

**Lilith**: **She shakes her head.** This is so pathetic... **She cups her hands around her mouth and shouts.** Oy-oy! Get up you little shit! I came here for a fuck'n fight, not afternoon tea and crumpets you sissy shit! **She shakes her head again and rolls her eyes.**

**Chris**: **After a moment he gasps quietly and pushes himself up, getting to his feet. He turns and looks at Blake, wiping blood from the side of his mouth. He looks incredibly pissed, not as disoriented as he should seem. He steps forwards to strike Blake back.**

**Taylor**: **(Using** ***Hapless Prey*** **to** ***Lash Out Physically*** **. Rolling with** ***Cold*** **2 + 1 + 2** **Cold** **is 5.)**

**Blake effortlessly dodges Chris's punch, grabs him by the wrist and punches Chris directly in the stomach with his other hand, then throws the smaller boy onto the ground. Chris takes 1 additional** **Harm**.

**Blake**: You'll have to do better than that shithead! **He looks over at Lilith and laughs.**

**Liam**: **He runs over to Chris, completely unsure of what to do.** You alright?! **He kneels down to try and help Chris up.**

**Chris**: **He slowly gets to his feet, one arm wrapped in front of his stomach, he pushes Liam away from him as he does. He practically coughs out his response.** I'm fine! **He stands up straight after a moment, slouching to the side slightly as he takes a few labored breaths as he turns to look at Blake.** We aint done yet asshole! **He wipes a little blood from his lip and glares at the bully.**

**Blake**: **He turns to look at Chris.** Should've stayed down... Now you *are* gonna end up in the hospital. **He starts walking towards Chris.**

**Taylor**: **(Using** ***Hapless Prey*** **to** ***Lash Out Physically*** **. Rolling with** ***Cold*** **4 + 4 + 2** **Cold** **is 10.)**

**Chris**: **He breaks into a quick run and throws out a well-place punch that cracks Blake right in the jawline. As Blake tries to recover Chris punches him again in the stomach, then a third time in the face before leaping forwards with all his weight and strength to tackle the football player, sending him bouncing against the hood of his car. Chris immediately leaps onto him and grabs Blake's head, slamming the back of it against the hood of his own car several times.**

**(Blake takes 2** **Harm** **and gains the condition *Dazed*.)**

**Several other members of the football team grab Chris as he's slamming Blake's head against the car and pull him off. Blake rolls around on the hood of his car gripping his head tightly. His ears are ringing and he's heavily disoriented.**

**Lilith**: **She rolls her eyes as she looks at Blake and then puts a hand over the forehead in disappointment.**

**Dustin**: **He too looks rather disappointed, but at the same time he's gained a lot of respect for Chris.**

**There's a sudden sound of a police sirens, and all of the students immediately scatter in random directions. The jocks holding onto Chris throw him to the ground and bolt to either flee or help Blake get up.**

**Liam**: **He runs up and grabs Chris, trying to help him up.** We gotta go Chris, the cops are coming!

**Shane**: **He quickly moves to help Liam with Chris.** You alright guy? Didn't think you'd survive the first punch! **He puts one of Chris's arms around his shoulder and hurries towards the opposite side of the parking lot, ensuring that they stay out of sight behind a few of the other large groups of students.**

***About a half-hour later...***

**Liam and Chris are sitting in Shane's truck. After the fight Shane offered to drive them home. His small off-red truck is obviously used, something given to him by his parents or bought for a low price from a previous owner. It's junky, the seats have stains on them and there's a crack slowly making it's way across the windshield. There's no radio, the spot where it's supposed to be is empty with a few wires sticking out.**

**Shane**: Don't think Blake'll mess with you again Chris... Heh. **He keeps looking at Liam whenever he stops at a sign or has to look out the window.**

**Chris**: **He's sitting in the backseat with his eyes closed. He has his forehead leaning against the glass, the coolness of it helping with his pounding headache. He's still gripping his stomach, which is very sore.** I probably just pissed him off...

**Shane**: Doesn't matter, you made a name for yourself. The football team might hate you, but there's a lot of other groups that hate the football team. **He looks across to Liam and smirks at him.** Plus if you guys try out for the swim team... You'll have us backing you. **He slowly looks from Liam, back to the road ahead. They turn off the road and into a walled community of large houses. They start to pass homes that are easily two to three times the size of a typical track home in their area, and far nicer.** So is your family loaded Chris?

**Chris**: ...Huh? **He opens his eyes and looks towards Shane from between the two front seats.** Uh... Yeah, sort of I guess... **He looks out the window at the passing houses. This new neighborhood is hardly different than the old one he lived in, despite being two-thousand miles away. Snooty and rich, full of people that are friendly, but selfish. Chris never really fit the lifestyle of his own family, and has never really fit in with his family in general.**

**Shane**: **He whistles as they pass a few of the houses.** What I'd give to live in a place like this. Remind me never to take you to my house...

**Liam**: **His eyes are wide as he's watching the large mansion-like homes pass by.** I didn't even know there were houses like these in Wildomar...

**Chris**: Well... **He sighs, tired and obviously hurting.** Now you know. **He pushes off the window.** That's it up there. Just pull up to the curb...

**Shane**: **He pulls the car up next to the curb and looks out at the house. It's a large mansion, done in a kind of fusion of art-deco and mission style with hints of gothic architecture. The house is made up of tall white brick walls, with long thin reflective windows set into them.** So is this bigger or smaller than your old place back in Kentucky?

**Chris**: **He groans quietly.** ...Smaller... **He opens the door and grabs his backpack.** Thanks for giving me a ride Shane... See you guys later... **He shuts the door and waves, turning to slowly make his way up the long driveway.**

**Liam**: **He yells out the window.** See you tomorrow Chris! **He smiles to himself. Chris telling him that he'll see them tomorrow means that he probably considers him to be a remote friend at the least.**

**Shane**: **He pulls away from the curb and makes a U-turn, driving back the way they came from. He looks over at Liam with a slight smirk.**

**Liam**: **He looks away from Shane, quietly fumbling with his seat-belt strap. Being alone with Shane has made him nervous.**

**Shane**: **He keeps eyeing Liam as he drives.** So are you trying out for the Swim Team?

**Liam**: **After a brief pause to make sure his voice doesn't crack, or he doesn't say something embarrassing, he responds.** Yeah. **He nods quickly.** I'll try out.

**Shane**: **His voice is soft and smooth with it's youthful tone.** ...Never said if you wanted any... Help... **He runs his fingers over the gear shift before griping it tightly and shifting gears.** ...I could show you a lot. **He looks over to Liam with a slightly raised eyebrow.** Could teach you things you never thought possible. **His fingers dance over the rounded end of the gear shift for a moment before he grabs it roughly and shifts to a lower gear as he turns onto the main road and stops at a light.**

**Liam**: **He gulps down his nervousness. Despite asking for Shane to want him, he's really not emotionally prepared for it, especially since his implications are hardly subtle at this point.** Yeah, I... I think that'd be fun. **He nods nervously and then looks over at Shane.**

**Shane**: **He smiles as Liam looks at him, afterwards he turns and looks forwards, grabbing the shift in his fist and roughly shifting it into place as the light turns green.**

***Meanwhile...***

**As Chris walks to the front door, it opens for him. On the other side stands Agatha, a caretaker Chris's family has employed since before he was born. She's an older woman, in her late-60s, standing a head shorter than Chris, with silver-grey hair and hazel-brown eyes. She's wearing a grey suit with a knee-length skirt and black high-healed boots. Her expression seems to be perpetually blank and stoic, befitting the coldness of the Courier family. She stares at him as he walks in, shutting the door behind him.**

**Chris**: Afternoon Agatha... **He says it, tired and worn out, as he walks passed her and into his new house.**

**The interior of the house is dim, with most of the curtains drawn across the windows. Despite the dry and warm desert air outside, the air within the house is cool and almost moist, like a day of spring rain.**

**Natalya**: **Chris's mother stands atop the stairs at the first landing. She is tall, nearly Chris's height, and stunningly beautiful. Her long light blonde hair falls about her face and body in curling coils that bounce and sway with the slightest of her movements. She wears a long black dress with a low cut top and silvery accents that seem to shimmer bright green as she moves. The curtained window behind her beams pale light down around her gothic, elegant, form, and casts her long shadow across the entire hall, ending at the base of Chris's feet. Her voice is both sultry and cold, calm, but with an underlying aggressiveness to it, like the hiss of a snake.** I sent Agatha to retrieve you from school, but you were no where to be found. **She takes a step forwards, her dress trailing behind her, glittering silver-green in the dim white streams of light, as she begins to descend the stairs.** You're hurt... **There's a motherly concern in her voice, but all the same it shares the almost chillingly somber tone like her property has been damaged more than her son. To anyone else she would be imposing in her mere appearance, with the strange quality of her voice making her only more intimidating, however to Chris she's merely his grim and stern mother.**

**Chris**: A guy at school tried to beat me up. **He looks away from her as she walks towards him, he always feels like he's on the verge of disappointing her with everything he does.**

**Natalya**: **She reaches the bottom of the stairs and continues towards him.** This is why I insisted that you attend a private school... This, of course, was the path you chose...

**Chris**: **He sighs in pain and annoyance, for what seems like the hundredth time.** I'm fine by the way.

**Natalya**: **As she reaches him she runs her fingers under his chin, her metallic black nails forcing him to look at her, else they threaten to cut into his skin.** Of course you are... **She smiles at him as his green eyes look into hers. Whenever their gaze meets, Chris can never seem to break it until she looks away first.** We are made to endure... **She pulls her hand away and looks to Agatha.** Treat my son's wounds, then prepare for him a warm bath...

**Agatha**: I'll fetch the first aid box. **She turns and leaves the main room, walking off towards the kitchen.**

**Chris**: **He looks down and away from his mother the second she breaks her gaze, feeling uncomfortable.** I'm not a child, I can take care of myself. **He rubs his aching stomach softly as he finishes speaking.**

**Natalya**: I haven't a doubt that you can take care of yourself... **She presses her cold hand softly against the side of her son's face.** ...But you are *my* child. You always will be... **She leans closer to him and looks to the side, her eyes dart a few times as she seems to sense something about him, or around him. Afterwards she takes a few steps back from Chris, and mouths something to herself quietly before looking back to him as Agatha walks back in, holding a metal box with a red cross on it.** Clean up and be down by six... We are having company for dinner...