Chapter Text
August 17th
7:30am
Another year, another new school.
Moving around as much as Oliver's family did got old very quickly, so it was no surprise to the 16 year-old when it happened again. He supposed it was especially frustrating with the mere fact that once he got used to a new town, a new school...Actually making friends, a potential budding relationship only to be ripped away from his grip once again. Such was the life of a military brat with both of his parents in active service in the English military.
It was no surprise when Owen and Alistair up and moved away to college once they had the chance, leaving Oliver and his younger brother Liam behind to deal with the constant loop. Though the house was quieter now that they were both gone and the arguing had ceased between brothers at least a little bit, it didn't stop the other underlying issues happening at home.
There he stood alone in front of the imposing brick building, pastel pink backpack with lavender accents slung across his back. Liam had already run off somewhere after they were both dropped off, he actually wondered if it was because he didn't want to be seen with his elder brother. That was far more likely a possibility than he cared to admit to himself. Even as the chattering of the bustle of students walking past him up into the school, clear that cliques were already prevalent.
Of course there would be cliques. Why would this school be any different? Oliver however did pick up the whispers as some of them passed by, questioning if he was a new student. Wondering what he was like. Already beginning to form opinions based on mere appearance while he stood there. A touch shorter than average, uniform hanging a little more loosely on his thin frame. Freckles were prevalent on his face and any other part of his body that could be seen, the ones on his slightly effeminate face were only enhanced by messy, wavy strawberry blonde almost pink hair and bushier brows of the same color. The main stand out for Oliver were large, piercing azure eyes.
Typical, unfortunately it was something that he had grown used to.
Attending five schools in six years, now six in seven makes a kid used to that sort of gossip.
A heavy sigh soon followed, checking the time on the phone in his hand. 7:40 am. If it was one thing that he knew he had to do this morning, it was to find his way to the front office. Oliver wondered if his mum spoke with the Principal about past issues that he had, but he was to meet with the President and Vice President of the Student Counsel. Of course it was likely to show him around and show him the ropes, just him. Not his well-adjusted brother.
Oliver's head merely shook as he slowly began to follow the crowd of students up the steps toward the front doors. All the while, the Brit at least attempted to take in as many faces as he possibly could among the small sea of students in front and around him.
A small group of three, each with heavier accents. The silver-haired one seemed to be the loudest of the group. German perhaps? The other two appeared to be more laid back, at first Oliver questioned if the one he guessed to be French was a girl from behind. No, from the uniform and the tone of voice, definitely not. The last, all he could see was a tuft of messy brown hair and what he wondered was actually a Spanish lilt. Maybe he was actually Spanish?
Another group sped by, two of them speaking in what sounded to be rapid-fire Italian. A tall, imposing, stern-looking blond and a shorter boy whom Oliver guessed was Asian of some sort following close behind. The taller of the two looked irritated already, where as the other just had an aura of indifference.
A pair of two, one with dark red hair and from what he could tell with a few piercings. Eyes were hidden behind a pair of aviators, uniform styled like it was likely out of dress code with chains and seemingly inappropriate punkish jewelry. The other, also wearing sunglasses with longer dark honey blond locks pulled back into a low pony. Was that a hint of what appeared to be a hockey stick poking out of the sports bag that he carried? Maybe he was part of the hockey team.
A loner. Dirty blond hair and tired purple eyes, unkempt, stubble with hints of an incoming beard. One hand stuffed into his pocket, the other removing a lit cigarette from his mouth before dropping it on the ground and snuffing it out with the toe of his shoe.
Another small trio, appearing to be two sisters and a brother. The brother towered over his sisters, a smile on his face while he listened to one of the two speak. Good lord that poor girl, how did her back not kill her? The silent sister Oliver had to admit was cute, but there was something about her that gave him the feeling that for now it was best to stay away.
Of course there were others, but they were the ones whom had caught his attention off-the-bat so to speak. Butterflies fluttered uncomfortably in his stomach as Oliver made his way inside of what was to be his new school, only to be met with constant chatter and a crowd in the foyer leading to multiple hallways that he didn't want to find himself caught in. Fiddling with the strap holding his backpack to his back, looking about for any sort of sign that could tell him where he needed to go.
Of course there was nothing. That would make it far too easy.
Not moving as more students walked and brushed past him, only a few muttering 'excuse me's with no other sort of acknowledgement. Already this was far too overwhelming, this was exactly why he hated that he had to learn a new school practically every year. Just as the faint trembling began to set in, a hand from behind fell onto his shoulder. Before he could jump from the surprise, a concerned voice followed.
"Hey man, you ok? I think you're the kid I was supposed to find."
Before Oliver could answer, the Briton turned around to get a good look at the person that addressed him. Taller than he was, blond hair with a cowlick, bright blue eyes covered by red-framed glasses. Was that a letterman jacket that he was wearing? If this kid was addressing him in such a way, then maybe he was one of the ones he was supposed to find.
"Y-Yes... I'm fine... Thank you for asking. I'm... Supposed to go to the front office to meet with... Um..."
"Well, I'll tell you right now it was a good thing I found you first then! Name's Alfred, and I guess your Oliver?"
Of course his middle name was used, it was the name that had been used for him since he was a little boy even though his actual name was Arthur. Even so, he allowed a small smile before politely holding out his hand.
"Um...Yes, that's me. Pleasure to meet you I'm sure Alfred."
Oliver was met with a bright grin and a firm handshake that he was sure if Alfred gripped even tighter that he would have crushed his hand, shaking it out once the two let go. Even so, the American appeared to be oblivious to this fact before turning on heel and walked across the foyer and took a left down one of the hallways, the other following close behind.
"Cool to meet you too dude, since it's kinda obvious you're nervous and all, don't you worry! My partner and I got your back, we'll show you around. Show you the ropes, let you know about clubs, who and what to avoid...Dish about the teachers, when to bring lunch, all that fun stuff."
"Your partner? Oh-- Right. Student Counsel."
"Yep, the other guy you're gonna meet is Artie. Dude's the pres, I'm his vice-pres."
Oliver nodded while he listened to what Alfred had to say, speeding up a little to catch up with the long, quick strides that the other was making just so he could walk next to him. Only half-listening to what he had to say all the while taking in the surroundings around him, making at least an attempt to familiarize himself with potential landmarks in case he got lost. The trophy case on the left wall near the front of the hallway was at least a good one.
"You're late Alfred. Though... At least you found him, so I suppose I can't be all that cross at you."
The voice more caught Oliver off-guard, British like himself judging from the accent. His attention turned in the direction where it was coming from, blinking at what he saw. A boy whom looked fairly similar to him, only much more stern it seemed. Messy blond hair, thick black brows that one could pity him for, fully kempt. What fully caught his attention however were those piercing emerald eyes. His arms were crossed over his chest, foot tapping irritably on the floor beneath his shoe.
"Awww come on dude, I found him didn't I? He kinda clammed up at the front."
"Well... So, it seems as though it wasn't incorrect that he would need our help then."
"Duh, he was kinda shaking like a freaking leaf when I found him. Looks like he's gonna need a lot of help. No sign of the brother."
"We were told we wouldn't need to concern ourselves with Liam, just Oliver."
Oliver just stood there and listened, shifting from side-to-side from one foot to another. The pair were talking as though he wasn't even there, at least that was something he was more used to. This action wasn't lost on the other boy as he sighed, uncrossing his arms and allowing them to fall at his side. Shaking his head before walking in front of him, holding out a hand and giving him a reassuring smile in return.
"I'm Arthur, Student Counsel president and one of your main sources of contact here at World Academy. Welcome, and as I am sure Alfred has told you, we are both here to help you."
That smile, Oliver's stomach immediately twisted in knots in response. He gave a shy smile of his own, reaching out to reciprocate the gesture for the cordial shake.
"Th-Thank you... My name is Arthur too, but everyone just calls me Oliver."
"Alright, Oliver. I have your schedule, and the three of us are in many of the same classes so you can stay with us while you learn your way around. How does that sound?"
"Y-Yes! Of course! That's fine!"
Could he have sounded any more excitable, ears flushing red from embarrassment. Despite this, he was only met with a comforting pat on his shoulder.
"Don't worry Ollie, mind if I call you that? We gotcha dude, we're not gonna let you down!"
Despite the clear irritation on Arthur's face as he rubbed at his temples between two fingers, he merely nodded in agreement.
"He is right... Stay close to us, and we will help you."
Oliver was already given a nickname by someone whom he just met. Despite his smile being small, it was genuine as he looked between the pair. "Alright, I trust you both... Thank you for both of your help."
"Yes yes, it is no trouble. It's our job to help new students whom need the extra assistance, and we were expressly told that you were that student. Right then. First class is Algebra 3, so follow us then."
Arthur just as soon as he spoke walked past the two toward the foyer, Alfred following close behind before they began to speak quietly amongst themselves with Oliver following close behind. He was grateful for their help, that much was obvious. On the other hand, he hoped that maybe, genuine friendships may actually be found with them as he got to know them better.