Chapter Text
”i can sing C sharp!” a boy loudly announced, his cocky demeanour obvious as he tilted his head up proudly to the teacher, awaiting his usual praise.
that was jack merridew, one of the popular boys. he was blonde with curly hair, his eyes slightly wide and innocent as he gave off the arrogance only a child who had been told no maybe four times in his twelve years off life could give off. pure, unadulterated spoiledness.
his polar opposite was ralph lovett, who was known around school as sweet and understanding; always empathetic for others and always offered to help. he had curly hair that had some blonde streaks in it due to having some birthmarks on his head, his eyes were innocent but sad at the same time, like they were omnipotent of the future beyond their class.
but it confused everyone on how intelligent the two both were, but both presented it different. ralph was always first but only by a mark or two, and jack was second. consistently. in all their years of school, there wasnt one year ralph and jack hadn’t argued about who was better at school. they were both in the same friend-group which made it more awkward since they were both very popular at school with girls, but jack always seemed repulsed at the idea of dating, unlike ralph who just.. didnt really like anyone like that from everyone’s knowledge.
ralph looked over to jack who was awaiting the teachers praise and smiled. “so can simon, sir.” he politely told the teacher and nudged simon encouragingly who nodded along. the teacher smiled greatfully. “wow, two boys who can sing C sharp? thats impressive, both of you!” he praised easily, nodding. “back to the original topic. auditions for choir this year, who wants to audition for violin?” he inquired as he looked around. ralph’s eyes lit up as he stuck up his hand, knowing he was good at it. so did piggy, and ralph smiled. piggy and ralph were quite close. the teacher started counting hands as others rose, ralph putting his down after he got told to.
the audition list ended up finally being filled out as ralph and simon were looking at the magnolia wooden floors, his eyes reading everything carved into them. ralph grabbed his pencil and a piece of paper and started carving: ‘RL was here - 1951’ he heard jack drawling on about how good at choir he was to roger who was only diagonal from him, and ralph snorted as he looked over and saw roger’s horrifically bored expression. the boy looked over at simon and nudged him to look at roger as he turned to put his back against the brick wall to look around the classroom. ralph locked eyes with maurice and mouthed: “ask to move here, maur.” he pleaded, putting his hands together and moving back to normal so the teacher didnt see. maurice nodded in response and ralph smiled as he looked over to the teacher again, mr smith who was teaching them music theory.
when their teacher dismissed them, ralph and simon stood up in sync and ralph called out. “maur! wait for us all?” maurice looked over and nodded. ralph smiled. when they all piled out, maurice and ralph did their handshake. roger raised a brow. “jacks a proper eejit yano?” he asked the others and piggy piqued up. “he’s sound at music, aye?” the boy asked casually. maurice nodded. “yeah! he talks about how much he loves singing and how he can sing C-sharp like its his biggest flex cos hes tha’ thick.” maurice informed and ralph snorted. “dont be too mean now, hes still our friend ain’ he?” the boy reminded. “he’s sensitive.” ralph teased as jack snapped. “eh?! im not sensitive!” roger raised a brow. “naw, you’re very sensitive.” they all nodded in agreement. ralph shrugged. “which lesson now?” maurice groaned.
after all their lessons, the group were walking together. “jack,” ralph raised a brow. “what did you get on your test?” he asked as his tone sounded a bit fake, like he didnt really care. jack proudly smiled. “95%.” he bragged, looking at his nails like it was an easy grade. like roger hadnt seen him cramming his revision for the night before. ralph smiled. “98%.” he fake pouted, his eyes mocking. “oh no..” he hummed as they all walked to their dormitories together. jack’s eye twitched in annoyance. “how?” he snapped, anger flaring. “how what?” ralph innocently asked. “how do you always get a better grade?” jack finally, hesitantly hissed out. ralph smiled kindly. “i can give you my notes?” the boy kindly offered to him.
jack hated how kind ralph was. it annoyed him deeply, how someone could be so naturally sweet whilst having life give it all to him, someone who was so empathetic to others and helped them. as if it meant nothing, that it was just apart of his natural personality to care, for others and everyone. ralph always put others first.
but jack could never grasp the idea of caring. his needs were sorted, so why should he care about what others needed? that was irrelevant to him. caring for others was pointless and didnt give him any benefit for himself, or his gain. why would he do something that never benefited himself?
that didnt make logical sense at all. why should he help others? thats stupid. pointless, even. it never computed to jack to care for others, but that could be due to how he was raised.
in some way, that could be his parents own selfish fault.
but ralph was just as spoilt and came out so so nice.