Archive of Our Own

William Afton's mother has warned him about his company many times. And often he'd also remind himself of his odd company as well. (How'd he forget about Henry?)

Kids will be kids, says everyone.

They can be demons, says also everyone who has a bit more of experience with rowdy ones who may need to be trapped behind bars for a while.

They can be nice, they can be cute. They can be mean, they can be weird.

William doesn't mean to think himself superior over anybody, but if he has to pretend to not associate with the kids currently strolling in front of him, he'll do that. He'd rather be around them when they know right from wrong because he'll be killed if he comes home, and his parents find out he had been acting reckless. He's a teenager. Teenagers don't need supervision. Not him.

But the girl in front of him does. She's an ebony-haired girl, about 14 years old who can sometimes be a whole puzzle and the pieces of it. Today in particular, there was something off about her. Will and the other children could sense it.

Cassidy Everly was not pleasant to be around when greatly angered. This was a fact that their whole friend group knew about.

William wants to hang out in the back because nobody hardly ever notices him, like if he just so happens to be third-wheeling. That isn't the case right now, but crowds, even the smallest, are still a bit too much for him.

Then he hears something about Cassidy wishing that one of the boys in her class was dead, and her twin brother just shakes his head in something other than just disbelief. Rather, he knows his sister is like this at times, and even if there was something he could do about it, would he be courageous enough to stop her from getting into trouble?

Maybe so.

"You're really gonna go there, Cass?" the youngest of them all, Susie, happily chirps. The sarcasm is so clear, it makes Will cringe to his near death inside.

It's always like listening to someone ruthlessly scraping their nails against a chalkboard when she speaks. William couldn't care less about how adorable she is, she's just one misled little creep. She endlessly follows behind Cassidy like the paparazzi, always agreeing with nearly everything she says. Needless to say, she looks up to her. It'd be a cute gesture if she wasn't borderline psychotic. Heck, she could convince anyone that she escaped from a mental hospital SOMEHOW, and it would scare them half to death.

"Heck yeah I'm goin' there! The guy won't shut up about me!" Cassidy complains.

"Maybe he likes you! You know how boys are~!" Susie giggles, IT'S NOT THAT FUNNY, YOU'RE ANNOYING, STOP.

"Hey, buzz off of us, little girl." Jeremy chimes in defensively. "Girls are the exact same way. But you wouldn't know, though."

Like a little spoiled, drama queen, Susie lightly tugs on Cassidy's hand and yells. "Caaaaass! Jeremy's being a jerk to me!"

"Leave her alone before you go on my beatdown list too, Jeremy!"

"You are not winning in a fight against me, sweetheart." the boy teases.

William had been fighting the urge to tell them all to shut up for probably the first time ever since he's known them. He was always as quiet as a mouse and pretended to not hear them. There was an audible sigh from Fritz, a wish for them to stop, and Silas quietly yawned.

If one takes the time to really separate Gabriel, Silas and even Fritz from the group, they'd see that the three of them could last a long while with total silence and a few quiet and serene conversations. Not to say he's too close with them, but Will would choose to hang out with them and them alone if it meant time could be killed and he'd get some peace and quiet.

"I ask myself why I continue to tolerate some of you idiots."

"Shut up, Silas! Nobody even wants you here!"

Si feigns a smile, like Will mostly would in that situation. "...Cassidy. If your little lapdog values her tongue so much, I'd suggest biting it before I cut it out."

"Yeah, get her a leash already, won't ya, Cass?" Jeremy's teasing only makes it worse.

Cass turns around and the entire world stops as she glares at the two. It doesn't take long for a tired Gabriel to step in between them and act as the wall he wish there already was separating them all from each other. Thank goodness for him.

Will has to avert his eyes because they keep on locking on to Susie's smile- no, grin. UGH, no. Stop. QUIT LOOKING LIKE THAT, YOU LITTLE MENACE TO SOCIETY. TO MY EYES.

"Stop." That's all Gabe says. It gets surprising quiet, and the fact that Cassidy hushed up all just because Gabriel said so was surprising too. They all knew she had the hots for him. At most times, she'd do anything as small as tying his shoe if he dared to ask. Now this is a little more of a tame situation. Something that Will would rather over having to be around to hear Susie screaming and complaining.

They should all be at home by now, but they always like walking around the school a little first before they go. With Will, it's become a normal thing that he has to allow on his own. He knows his parents will be worried sick, so he tells them who he's with. And when he tries going home by himself, Cassidy manages to always convince him to stay around for a little while longer. She doesn't even try. She doesn't have to either. Will knows that she'll be quick to throw a tantrum if he refuses. Seriously, she's got other friends. What's so special about him? He only asks himself this because apparently Cass likes something about him if she keeps insisting that he stays.

"Anyways. Will."

"Huh?" He turns to look at her after absentmindedly stargazing.

"You've been quiet all this time. What's on your mind?"

Hoping that he gets a good minute of silence or just trying to count the endless amount of stars in the sky.

"Oh, nothing."

"It's just like you to not say a word." Cassidy jokes and Will sort of feigns a small smile. "But were you listening to me just now?"

He had no choice but to, really.

"Mason's a bother to you."

"Yeah, and I'd like to squash him myself, y'know?"

They share a class with each other.

"I feel your pain."

"Thanks, Will." This time, his lips curve into a real smile. It's so forced.

"Knowin' you, Cass, I thought the guy woulda already been in the hospital with a broken nose." Jeremy notes, and being right about it, too. Not like she hadn't ever done it before. Cassidy is a fighter inside and outside. She never lets herself down, never lets her guard down. Her attitude shows it all, and she's proud of it.

"Yeah, well, I've already been suspended once."

"You wouldn't take that risk again?" Jeremy presses.

Gabe puts a hand on his brother's shoulder and sighs. "You're too violent."

"I think you should pass the phone to someone who's already been suspended a few times." Jeremy hints at Cass.

"Even so, you stay out of trouble, too."

"Eh, it's not easy."

William mentally agrees.

Time passes by unbelievably fast, and before Will knows it, he's at home in his bedroom, laid out and thinking. His mother asks where he had been. Obviously in no place for a boy like him. Because he's a good boy who is always at home when he's expected to be.

"What did you and your friends do today?" Arlette questions while looking at him attentively.

"Not a lot." he answers truthfully.

"Nothing fun? You didn't go to any one of their houses?"

"I was just tired and wanting to come home is all. They're real loudmouths."

"I see."

Will's back may have been turned to his mother, but when she sits on his bed next to him, he knows that something's on her mind. She's probably planning to talk him down again about his choice of friends. But is it his fault? He's sure that they were the ones that attached themselves to him like glue. Lately he's been feeling like joining them almost everywhere they go just because of pure boredom, and also most likely Cassidy, since she seems to get along with him so well. She has her moments.

Mom's always asking him to be careful, and he's tired of it. He knows she cares, but she's a bit overbearing.

She starts to pet his head like she always does whenever she wants to tell him something. It's from the way she says his name, but he doesn't feel like hearing it.

"Well, you be good now, alright?"

Will sighs, shaking it off like nothing.

"I will, mom."

"That's my boy." She kisses his cheek and gives him one good smile before she leaves his room.

Apparently, Cassidy never goes to sleep because right after their conversation, Will receives a text from her. She doesn't always text or call him - he knows she usually stays up all night, even on school nights because the others complain about it in their group chat.

Of course William had to be included. They really like him that much.

"Hey Will let's walk home together after school tomorrow, just the two of us"

Something tells him to question why. But one rule about Cassidy is to never question her. At least that's what William tells himself because he doesn't like to argue.

"If you don't mind me asking, why"

"Why not :D"

He internally facepalms at her response, knowing that she wasn't going to take this seriously.

"Seriously?"

"Well, since we don't always talk alone, let's make this the first time we do :)"

That's a bit of a lie, and considering they share a few classes with each other, including the one with Mason, there's absolutely no way they haven't at least once. All Will knows is greeting her and that's about it.

"You're acting suspicious, Cassidy."

"Aw, c'mon, it'll just be the two of us and we're friends, are we not?"

"Yes...?"

"And friends spend time with each other, riiiight?" :D"

William looks off to the side for a second. He swears his heart just skipped a few beats. There's now a tightness in his chest; it always happens when he feels uneasy.

"Okay, fine, I'll play along"

"Thanks, Will. I knew I could count on you, buddy! Cya tomorrow ;>"

"Yeah, goodnight."

She seemed to have finally put the phone down, and drifted off.

But with William, that feeling is...drowning him in itself now. Why does he feel like he's trapped, and what could Cass possibly want with him?

He sees this, thinks of it as way more than just a good time had between two "friends" who don't really speak so many words to each other. It's strange. Very strange. So many things could go wrong and some could go right.

Who doesn't want to find out is William.

Who's also getting dragged on by curiosity, and because tomorrow is a school day, is also William.

Unfortunately.

William manages to get through most of his last class without feeling too much like he wants to throw up. He tried not to think about the texts from Cass last night. They were enough to induce vomiting on their own just because of what intentions could've really been behind her words. As if trying not to think about this wasn't enough for him, he noticed a few times that Cassidy had been staring at him. He tried hard to ignore her.

Now that teaching time was over, they were free to talk to one another. So she makes her way over to an empty seat next to him.

"Hey, Cassidy! 's that your new boyfriend or somethin'?"

He's the reason why William didn't want Cassidy coming next to him.

It's not really her fault.

"I'm so surprised he's even letting you sit next to him!"

Cassidy isn't...saying anything back. To Will's surprise. Usually, she always bites back. It's different. And there's something about her not saying anything that raises anxiety in William. He doesn't like this difference.

While trying not to say anything back himself, he focuses on only Cassidy. Her smile isn't as endearing as it normally would seem.

"Remember: you, me. After school before the others catch up."

Neither of them wants to attract anymore attention to each other, so William keeps it to a whisper, or in this case, a simple nod.

Cassidy rolls her eyes back at Mason and everyone else who giggled silently amongst each other after his next crappy little insult. She knew they were all laughing at the two. She wanted to be no part of it this time. Will can tell that she's only feigning a smile because she's mostly annoyed. He's not complaining; he knows all too well how annoying Mason can be, even though he rarely talks about him. It's probably behind his back. He's lucky Will isn't the type to fight.

Finally, the sound that mostly they alone were waiting for to help them escape the hellhole that was this school. The bell was such a savior. Everyone gets to packing their things, and they all head out of the door.

William follows behind Cassidy. He would sigh out of relief, but then he remembers what could possibly go down.

Since they're going in the direction that everyone else is, it's tumultuous, but he can still see (and hear) Cass yelling her way through the crowd. He was actually surprised that she hadn't grabbed his hand and pulled her after him. He didn't mean to lag behind. He was only being cautious. Regardless, he tried speeding through them, too, his eyes remaining on his friend.

"Took ya long enough. C'mon, this way."

Will, this can't be good. Nothing about this is good, go home like a good boy.

He follows her like a good friend.

When they finally get to a spot where they aren't too visible and no one would really care about them being here anyways, Cassidy giggles. Lie your way out of this, c'mon, William. Tell her that your mother is sick and your father said he'd ground you if you came home late again.

"So do you mind explaning to me now what's got you so...giddy?"

Cassidy grasps his shoulders tightly. Their faces are uncomfortably close, it makes Will want to look away.

"You got me giddy, Will."

...

No, William isn't seeing anyone because he keeps telling himself that he knows he's better off being single for a good portion of his life. And right now, one of his top priorites is escaping from here, no matter what it takes.

None of this stops him from going completely crimson. He's scared of asking her to elaborate.

"You, and- ...what's up with you?" She asks, noticing how quickly he turned into a tomato.

"...Your wording just now...was very...unexpected, to say the least."

Why didn't you just go home-

"...Oh." There was no way she didn't notice, it couldn't've been possible. She thinks she's so sly.

"Well, don't get me wrong-" she smiles, "You are kind of a cutie, but I promise I didn't mean it that way."

As offended as Will could've been, he's glad.

"...how nice of you to turn this into a 'confession-rejection' type of situation."

"Awww, Will..." Cassidy tilts her head and smiles sympathetically while hugging him. "I didn't mean to do that to a pretty boy like you. I'm honestly surprised you're not quite the chick magnet yet."

Half of Will can't seem to ignore her, but he doesn't like too much praise. He sighs impatiently.

"Did you bring me here for something important, or did you just wanna flirt with me?" he says, trying not to come across as too irritated, though his arms are crossed.

"Oh, right, you're right." Cass gains her composure and backs away from him a little. "Do you even know why I brought you here?"

"Would it kill you to enlighten me?"

A name was enough to get through to him. "Mason."

Right...like from their conversation last night before Cassidy texted him.

"Oh."

"You already know what's goin' on here. I don't like him, he's annoying, he can't shut about me..." she says, listing everything she hates about him on her fingers. "All that crap."

Will half-heartedly sighs. "Well, Cass, if he upsets you so much, then why don't you just report him?"

"That won't be enough for me. And since the whole school seems to like kissing him where the sun doesn't shine, I doubt they'd even consider suspending or expelling him."

"I see." William nods. "But...the latter seems a bit too extreme, don't you think? I mean, sure, he's a class nuisance, but that's about all there is to him. He's just bark and no bite."

"I want him to see that you're both, Will."

He freezes and stares at Cassidy as if she just told him the secrets to the world that nobody else knew except her. He heard her clearly. He didn't like the sound of what she may have been implying.

"Aren't you tired of him calling you the class creep?" She goes further, really digging into him, knowing fully well that he didn't like being called such a thing. It got under his skin. However, Mason was one of the only other children he knew of that would address him as that.

"...What did you mean by what you said just now?"

"You said it yourself; Mason's all bark and no bite. And you can be both, right?"

He blinks and wipes his forehead with his hand. "...What do you want me to do about this?"

"Well...we can take him out. Kill him."

"...What?"

"You heard me, William. We'll bury him alive if we have to."

It dawned on him that she's dead serious. There's no hint of laughter, none of joking. She's really insisting that they...do something so horrible to an otherwise innocent kid. This could be avoided; William knows it, and he's certain Cassidy knows it, too. She doesn't care about Mason's life. She may not even really care about Will's life. Or her own, since she's the one suggesting that murder of all things be the solution to Mason leaving for good.

Will finds himself not being able to truly take in what this girl just said to him. So much that he tells her to knock it off and get a grip onto reality; if Mason dies, someone'll find out. And the situation won't be good for either of them.

"...Laugh...do something, say it's a joke. I know you despise the guy, but can we just-"

"No, Will. I truly mean it." Cassidy shakes her head.

You should've just went home.

"Cassidy, this isn't right. Listen to yourself."

"Losing myself every second, I know. But this is real. And I want it to happen."

"He's not worth it."

"Guess you'll forever be called the class creep."

His eyes widen, he's bewildered and offended. He doesn't want her to see him like this, but he can't help glaring at her like she's the one who really thinks he's the class creep. Must be nice forcing a quiet kid like him into taking a life.

She should get her fangirl to do her dirty work for her, honestly. Susie copies what she does. What makes anybody think she wouldn't kill Mason on command? She'd be more than perfect for the job.

Why, oh, why did it have to be him, of all people?!

"Cass...I..."

She tilts her head, her lips curve into a pout, like she expects an answer from him that's music to her ears. It's what she wants to hear from him. He sees now that he can't back out of this.

He sighs big, shakily, wanting to run, to lie to Cassidy about anything he could.

"...okay."

"Is that a yes?" Cass smiles.

"Yes, it's a yes." Will breathes out.

"Good." She pulls him against her, practically hanging off of him before pulling away. "This is for us, Will. You'll see what I mean."

Their friends are walking up to them, chatting their mouths off at each other like usual.

Will is not in the mood to hear Jeremy joking about pairing them together. He'd be able to brush it off as Jeremy being Jeremy. Now he just wants to silence him by himself. He can't take that as a joke. Instead, he grimaces, wanting to hide his face from them all, regretting everything, rethinking his decisions that led to them being the way they are now. Together.

"Oh, hey, guys. Will and I were just talking about how boring class was and all."

"Suuure, you weeeerrrrre." Jeremy teases again.

"C'mon, guys, let's all get going!" Susie seems to have ignored Will almost entirely, seeing as how she didn't even really greet him as she just pulled Cassidy by her arm. He never wanted to care, but...he couldn't help but feel left out. That's what's wrong with him now.

Everyone else walks away, conversation quickly being stirred up amongst them while Will stands there.

Does he even have a place in their group anymore...? Did he ever...?

"Are you alright?"

Gabriel stands apart from the rest, in more ways than just one. William is easily able to look him in the eyes without feeling the need to run away. Right now, his mind feels fuzzy. Nothing is right.

"I-I'm fine."

"Your expression says otherwise, but I'll...leave it alone." Gabe tucks his hands back in his jacket, and turns to join the others. "Call me if you need me."

"...sure..."

Suddenly, Will feels lonely. He welcomes it, lets it stay for a while, and then saunters home with a heavy, suffocating feeling in his chest.

"Um...William, dinner's ready."

"Okay."

When he got home, he went up straight to his room. Gave his mother a faster than usual greeting and had her worried.

He had locked himself in, drowning everything and everyone else out as he laid flat in his bed.

Staring at the ceiling, letting his thoughts occupy him as loud music from his twin brother's room plays. It's fitting for some background sounds just to keep him inside his own head, though he genuinely wishes it was softer.

"Are you coming down anytime soon?"

He was probably going to eat in his room this time. He did that often, shutting himself off from the rest of his family - most likely when something's bothering him and he doesn't want any of them to pick up on his mood.

"I'll be down."

Arlette sighs. "Did you have to lock the door...?"

"Don't worry, I'll be down soon."

"Alright then. Just...don't stay in there for too long."

She had to raise her voice a little - Will thinks she's mad at him or something, but she most likely went into Theodore's room to tell him to lower his music. Will could hear it, and he fell back onto his bed, no longer feeling comforted by the soothing sounds of really corny jazz music.

Now that he feels his chest tighten more as he thinks about why he just lied to his mother, why did he? He'd feel left out of the family conversations they all had. But...telling her the truth would give him away. And because of his situation, he didn't want her knowing.

She'd be disappointed.

When family time arrives, all of his siblings beat him downstairs. And he lagged behind for a while before he reached the table with them. They stared at him - he wished they'd stop. Mother and Father stared too, making him all the more uneasy. Can't he just scurry off back to his room, and no one questions him about why he's acting so strange? And why do their stares have to make him feel so sick?

Staying up is now out of the question until what needs to be done is done. Will has no way in mind about how he's gonna handle this, but he'll get there.

Just hopes that it'll be frightening enough to where Mason'll stop calling him "the class creep."

What had he ever done to be labeled as such a deragatory title?

He wants to die every time he hears it.

Cass wasn't feeling well, so she stayed home today. She spilled the details about why, and Will would've rather that she not tell him. He respected her, though, wished her well and to get better.

Ah, he feels bad for her.

He's stuck here. Without his only source of protection. With Mason. He'll hate every second of this. He has to come up with something, though.

Since he's such a pacifist, he thought about simply telling the kid to stop bothering him and his friends.

He's not gonna listen to that. It'd sound pathetic. And the more Will thinks about it, it begins to sound that way to him, too.

Easy way equals no one getting hurt. Or maybe a punch in the face. Just suspension. He can easily get over suspension. Nice vacation away from school for a good few days.

Hard way equals the authorities getting involved, school probably going on lockdown, and Will becoming a suspect because he's not an expert on how to hide dead bodies.

Seriously; if Cass really wanted to put Will up to this, she must think that he reads all sorts of murder novels or something, which he doesn't. She woulda been better off putting Susie up to the task. She's super cute. Nobody ever suspects a cutie like her (Will is far away from wanting that to count as him actually complimenting her; he isn't. It's just the cold, hard truth hidden behind a cutesy face. With this logic, Susie couldn't fool him if she tried, with him knowing full well that the girl has ulterior motives, and hanging around Cass (sorry to say) does not help this at all).

He would say that today has been much quieter. A lie.

He's at peace, and is able to focus. A lie.

Poor Cass. She couldn't have endured this all day.

"Hey, Willy!"

Will would let everyone know; he hates being called that name. It's a dumb nickname to call someone named William  when there's simply Will and Liam. He felt like less of a man being called something silly like that.

This applies to his friends as well.

"Where's your self-proclaimed girlfriend at, huh~?"

Will rolls his eyes. "No need to feign concern. We both know you don't care about Cass."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever." It looked to Will like Mason was trying to fling his pencil at him (he wished he would try it), but it didn't go too far. "You didn't deny that she is your girlfriend now. Signs are pretty obvious if you ask me. But I'm sure it's one-sided, cuz no one would want her."

William sees red - he's really trying hard not to lunge out of his seat and claw this boy's throat open. Sounds harsh. If it's enough to get him to stop talking at all, then it's effective and enough.

And..."self-proclaimed girlfriend?"

Ugh.

Will has a bad taste in his mouth now. Maybe he should stop hanging around Cass so much. Or maybe he should shut Mason down for good like she asked.

Don't wanna go to jail, don't wanna be seen as a different person in their eyes.

"She isn't my girlfriend."

"You sure? She seems pretty crazy about you." Mason teases continuously.

William mutters under his breath. "We're just friends."

"Riiiiight. You're not really fooling anybody, Willy."

Will instantly frowns. "Don't call me that."

"Aww, why not? I hear Cassidy call you Willy. Why can't anyone else call you that, too? Is it only meant for your girlfriend to use?"

"No." Will almost growls out. "She insists on calling me that just because she thinks it's funny. I, on the other hand, think it's stupid."

"It already sounds dumb enough. It sounds even more dumb when it comes from her dirty mouth, though."

Cassidy had been suspended before. And  even if it meant she'd go to hell just for breaking this kid's neck, she'd still do it. If only she was here. Though silencing him by himself is just as impossible as it is for Cassidy.

"What've you got against Cass, anyways? She does nothing to you."

"You're kidding, right?"

Will props his elbows on his desk. "Enlighten me."

"She's annoying. Has the biggest mouth and doesn't know when to shut up. Plus, she always dresses up in those stupid little dresses like she wants attention."

First off, that's a lie. Will rolls his eyes and scoffs. But he smirks because he has the pest right where he wants him.

"'Annoying, has the biggest mouth, and doesn't know when to shut up,' you say?" He's proud of his tone. "Sounds awfully a lot like you, don't you think so?"

Mason balls his fists. "What'd you say?"

"Hm. I'd say we could fit the entire Earth down your throat. You think so?"

There was a sudden burst of tumultuous laughter from the entire class, something not even William had expected. He didn't need a standing ovation or anyone cheering him on just for making sense now, did he? It only made the situation worse.

This would have been one of Cassidy's favorite moments to watch. She'd most likely be on the floor, gasping for breath. As much of an exaggeration as it seems, Cass would do it if it meant making Mason look like a real clown. He's not far from it.

The teacher had already tried to shush Mason a long time ago, but of course, he refused to. That was just how much of an a-hole he was.

Mason, with clenched fists, stands up and marches over to Will. The latter was half expecting him to throw a punch. If he didn't, that'd be Will's chance to knock him clean out. "You wanna run that past me again?"

"I said what I said." Will stands up, filled halfway with confidence because he never wanted to allow himself to be an overconfident dummy. "Now get away from me. And don't let my friend's name find its way back onto your tongue again."

"Or else?"

Oh, he was loving this. It was actually digusting to watch. And Will hated that everyone was watching. The teacher had tried to call out to them or else a punishment would follow behind them. Giving Mason a good sucker punch was so worth fetting suspended over. He'd blame Cassidy for forcing this on him anyways. She had to make him break character when she knows well that she's capable of kicking anyone's face in.

I'm going to scream at her the next time I see her.

He wishes the rest of the class would shut up.

It gets worse.

Mason throws the first punch, and it almost knocks Will out cold. The latter's never been a fight, never imagined getting into one, but now?

He wants to tear. He wants to ruin. Kill.

No, no, no-

The cheering and the horrified screams of his teacher and classmates overloading his senses. His nails, digging inside of Mason's skin, drawing out blood from every little scratch. He holds him as still as he can as he throws punches back at the boy underneath him. No other student does anything to stop the fight, of course they don't. Instead they instigate. Most of them are losers in the crowd. William could care less if he has the upper hand - this is ridiculous.

He really wants to gouge this kid's eyes out, tear them right out of his sockets. Ruin his hair, ruin his clothes and drench them in his own blood. Ruin that stupid smirk of his. Ruin his face to the point where smirking isn't possible for him.

Before he knows it, though, he's pulled off the boy, dragged away from inside of the crowd. He's asked "politely" to stay there and not move a muscle. He wants to keep going. Cass said it would be fun in a way. And never had he imagined himself agreeing with something so violent. It felt good to him at that time.

Oh, the damage. How he wished he could've broken Mason's neck without the fear of getting in trouble at all.

Security breaks these thoughts away from him, and quick too. They drag him next by the arm, and he catches sight of his bloody nails, thinking back to how he was really trying to dig as deep as they could go, like he was searching for gold. Mason screamed like never before. In fact, William caught himself grinning. In the back of his head, though, there rose a bit of remorse. This...this feeling of wanting to kill suddenly? It would die down. It would've had to.

William doesn't look back.

Cassidy wouldn't've been all the way proud. She'd be more than happy to hear that he gave Mason a bloody nose.

But she said dead. She seriously wanted William to kill Mason.

He wanted to as well. In the moment.

He supposed, silently, that it was a good thing someone had stopped him.

He wouldn't hear the end of this.

William doesn't want to sit in the principal's office for too long.

He already knows where this is going to go, and he wanted it to be over.

Suspend me already, I know it's coming.

He looks down at the floor. Anything to make him feel invisible to this man's cold grey eyes. To no avail, sadly.

The principal gave him some time to go and wash his hands. It embarassed him. He felt a bit cleaner though.

"Now, mister Afton." The man spoke softly yet firmly, causing Will to jump. "You see how serious this is, don't you?"

Oh, come on. Really?

You will rarely catch a kid like William Afton having to sit in your office all the time, be serious.

He did not have to scold him about how serious fights were. He knew already.

"Yes, sir, I do."

The man's gaze only hardened. William cursed at himself internally for making his fear visible to him. He felt like a small bug compared to him, and they were sitting across from each other at almost the same height. It's just how he's reminded of which one of them has authority over the other that terrifies him.

"Hm. You don't seem like the 'fighting type' to me. Would you consider yourself one?"

"N-No, sir." Will shakily responded, his voice quivering. He's. Ashamed. ASHAMED AT HIS DISPLAY. "I didn't want this to happen."

"I see." The man clasps his hands together, shutting his eyes for a second and letting out a heavy, dramatic breath. "So if that's true, then I guess this other kid - Mason, I believe, he's always in here - was the perpetrator behind all this?"

Not surprising. "Yes, sir. He's always rambling on about me and my friends. One in particular, though, he can't seem to shut up about her."

"And who's this friend?"

"Cassidy Everly. She sits next to me in that class."

Cassidy Everly put it in his head. He wasn't going to mention anything about what she said, god, no. She couldn't be in the face of another suspension.

"Ahh, Cassidy. Good 'ol miss Cassidy."

From the way her name danced off his tongue, Will could tell he knew her best for being in here. She was a fighter. She's just been holding back lately because she knows that her education is more impor- she couldn't care less. That's where her one-sided attraction victim Gabriel comes in. Will doesn't mean to make fun of him because he's a sweet boy.

"You're friends with her?"

"I know, I know, you're probably going to tell me how bad of an influence she is, right?"

"Right on the money, mister Afton." He smiles, William doesn't too much like it. "But if you insist on being her friend, then I expect you to keep her out of trouble. She's going to make it in the boxing ring with how many bloody noses she's given people."

Will stops himself from cracking a smile. "I try. It's not easy."

"She's got anger issues, I can tell ya that much." He laughs a little before composing himself. "But let's not stray away from the current matter here."

Just like that, he ruins the mood, the little happiness creeping up in William's heart. But this is what he came for, right?

Get on with his guaranteed punishment and get out of this hellhole for a few days.

"I understand that you may have not been the main one to start the fight, and trust me, if you will, mister Afton - I truly understand how it feels to be treated like a monster when it's really you who's the victim. However, I'm afraid...you'll have to face a one-week suspension."

And there it is. Those words he's been waiting to hear. "I...understand."

He did, but did the principal? Surely he could've worked this out another way, but...he has to suffer.

"Hey. If it makes you feel any better, Mason won't be coming back for a while. Plus he's known for starting up altercations and arguments." He sighs. "So...now that we're done here, do you have any questions? If not, you can pack your things and phone your mother."

"No, sir...I'll just...get going now."

"Ah, alright then."

Will couldn't face him right now. And probably not ever.

The man's look was sympathetic though, so it's likely he felt bad for the boy. "Hey, kid. Free vacation. You'll be okay. And plus, your work'll be online. I'm sure you know where to go. And don't worry about me calling you a bad kid. I know you're not."

In the midst of Will grabbing his things, he's able to bring himself to face him. "...thanks."

"You're welcome. Be safe now, okay?"

"Thanks. I will."

He wishes him a good day and leaves his office, secretly hoping to pop in there again. Not because of any troublesome situation. Just because.

He may or may not have just developed a liking to him.

He had been standing outside waiting for his mother. Anxiously.

Arlette Afton pulls up in the driveway where buses come to drop off and pick up the children. Will gets in, throwing his things in the back to allow himself more room to spread out. When he looks at his mother's face, she isn't as angry as he had envisioned.

She was worried. A bit terrified to have heard from her own son that he was suspended. Even hearing that he had been "involved" in a fight was enough to make Mrs. Afton question a few things about her boy.

"William."

Oh, no.

"...mom." he acknowledges her, responding back instantly.

"...how do you feel right now?"

"Scared. Confused. Cheated."

"...I see."

She went silent for a little longer before placing a hand on her son's head. "Will."

"Yes, mom...?"

It took her some breaths. "...though I could just choose to be disappointed in you...I also know better than to jump to conclusions about you. Especially when I, as your mother, know that I've taught you well. So I'm just going to ask - how did this end up happening?"

There's so many reasons as to why Will dearly loves his mother, and this is one of them. She's understanding and willing to listen. Willing to help out. She's not harsh in any way - her expectations are right where Will can meet them.

"I got into a fight with someone."

"...who was it?"

"Mason. The boy my friend keeps talking about wanting to beat up for being a thorn in her side."

"Mm."

"I didn't start the fight. He did. But his suspension's going to last much longer than mine, I think."

"Ah, so then you fought back in self-defense." Arlette frowned slightly, and Will just shrinks back in his seat, looking away from her.

"...I did what I had to."

"I'm not saying you're in the wrong, son." she replies, eyes occasionally switching from the boy to the road in front of her. "I just...wished he never bothered you." Her grip on the steering wheel tightens. "Then you wouldn't be in this mess."

"Guess he hates me that much for nothing." Will laments to himself. "I'm just...not enough."

"Forget what he thinks, William." His mother's voice suddenly booms. "You're stronger than you think you are, and you're smart. And I swear, he better find another one his size to pick on. Because you will not be the one. Ever again."

Well...wow.

If he wasn't feeling so guilty of upsetting his mother (and if she wasn't driving), he would hug her now.

She didn't like violence either. But the moment someone crosses her or her family the wrong way, she crashes.

Will has always been in between of liking this side of her, and wishing that she had a little more self-control.

"That...makes me feel so much better."

"And it should. No way am I gonna let one of my precious children get hurt, especially if they didn't want to be involved or at the center of trouble. People that do that disgust me to my very core."

"I feel the same way you do, mom."

Arlette giggles, looks across at her son's face and cups it, smiling dearly. "I love you, Will."

"I love you, too, mom." Will blushes. He didn't expect that one to come out right now. "Um...so you're not mad at me?"

"I am cross, but it isn't with you, doll. Don't worry. We'll get through this together."

Will sighs out of relief as they finally pull up into their driveway. "Thanks, mom."

"Of course." She fully puts the car in park and pulls the keys out of the ignition.

Ah, when life isn't fair to him, she is. She's a lifesaver.

"Got any homework? I'll help you with it."

"Algebra."

"Oh, god." They grimaced together.

"I know."

"Mhm. C'mon, we'll get through it together. However we can."

"Alright."

Will hates homework in general. In all subjects.

Okay, maybe except English. It's much easier.

The truth about Algebra is that neither of them struggled in it. It was just mentally exhausting, so they took a few breaks depending on how much left there was and then get back to it.

"I can't believe Will out of all people got suspended." his twin brother teases. "And before me!"

"Yeah, uh...Mom's not mad at me at all."

"I already knew she wouldn't be because you're her 'angel.'" Theo mocks.

"Admit it, Theo. You're always getting in trouble."

"He's right, Theo." Lis chimes in, allowing her usually busy self to focus on her little brother's well-being. Will loves her too. She's the best big sister he could ask for.

"But Will, I'm still kinda worried. Did that kid hurt you?"

He nearly knocked me out with one punch.

"...yeah."

Lissy's jaw drops and she silently gasps.

"But," Will injected, "I still fought back."

Theo perks up. "Did you win?"

"I'd say so."

"Then you won!" he says joyfully, except the joy covers up his mischievous smirk.

"Theo, leave your brother alone. He did what was necessary." Mrs. Afton scolds.

Will hums in agreement and then looks upward towards his most youngest brother and sister's rooms. "Where's Elias and Eliora?"

"Still at school." Arlette answers. "They'll be out a few minutes, so I'll have to leave again soon. You all be good and get your homework done however way you can, okay?"

"Alright, mom." they all say in unison.

When Mom left, it got quiet as they waited for her to return.

Except for when Cass called.

So Will's in his room, locked door and all. And he's a little livid now. About the fight. About everything that happened.

Why did he have to call her? More importantly, why did he have to respond?

He knows it's a bit of her fault too. She made him do it. Sure, he didn't actually kill Mason like she wanted him to, which would've been ten times worse and he would've been taken away by the police instantly, but she could've done this herself. And she could've taken the fall, this is the part he didn't tell his mother. He didn't want to, either.

"Hi, Will..." Cass sounds tired. She's probably been in bed all day. Will almost feels bad for her like he did earlier. He thought she'd be too tired to call him by herself. Honestly, it was a bit hard for Will to imagine a bummed out Cassidy since she was always so full of energy.

"...hey, Cass. You feel alright?"

"Not really," she groans. "Feels like my entire abdomen is a volcano. Frickin' hurts."

"Ah. Hope you feel better."

"Thanks, bud. So how'd today go? I miss anything?"

"I...had a fight with Mason."

Cass didn't beam at that one, but Will's sure her reaction would've been a lot more ecstatic if she wasn't in pain. "Tell me you won, or don't tell me anything."

"He had a scratched up face and a bloody nose. That enough for you?"

"...wow. You really did win then. So he's not dead?"

"No." Will boldly admitted.

"Seriously?"

"If it makes you anymore satisfied, he's most likely not going to mess with either of us again. It's not that bad of an outcome."

He could hear the frown in her voice. "...I still wish you coulda killed him though."

...she's mental. Lock her up.

"Look here - I dunno what the f[] possessed you to think that killing him would be a good idea, but you've clearly got a screw loose, Cassidy. And on top of that, I got suspended, for heaven's sake!"

He hears her sigh over the line. It quickly evolves into sobbing.

"...i-in reality...I just...wanted Mason to leave me alone...that's all."

"I understand that." Will responds sympathetically. "But we don't have to kill him. ...not now, maybe."

Cass sniffles. "Huh? ...whaddaya mean by that?"

"F-Forget it. Just um. Get some rest. And stop thinking about murder. It wouldn't hurt to tell someone about Mason. He's been to the principal's office back-to-back like he lives there. Just like you."

"You...you don't gotta rub it in, you jerk..." Cass had frowned.

"Sorry. Anyways though, get some sleep. I'll talk to you tomorrow. Feel better."

"Thanks. G'night, Will."

"Night, Cass."

He lets her hang up first. He sets his phone down and looks up with a sigh. 'Weirdo.' He smiles, but can't help but be slightly disturbed at how Cass really...wanted Will to agree to this. Something had to have been wrong in her head.

Maybe it's just her being tired. Too tired. Dangerously tired. The type of tired to make you want to end someone else's life just to make you feel...complete.

Mason didn't really deserve to die. He hasn't killed anyone before, Will hopes not.

He was not above a good beatdown.

He'd be back some time after William's one-week suspension was over. This would go by fast.

By now, Mrs. Afton had come back with the youngest pair of twins.

She was going to get dinner started real soon.

Will still didn't want to come down. What else was he going to announce to them? "Hey, everyone, I got suspended today!"?

Yeah, no.

This is going to be the end of him, he feels.

But he supposes it won't be too bad. If Gabe says it won't, then it must be true because he's calm most of the time. It's like he knows everything beforehand. So Will could trust him. He hated breaking down the news to him.

Sometimes the group chat between him and the other children could suck. It could be fun. It could get dark. And it could make him want to jump. Out of a window, off a cliff, into a lava pit. Mainly because Susie won't shut up about My Little Pony. Cass would never have the balls to tell her to hush up about it either.

All went well most of the time, so he didn't complain too much.

He falls back onto his bed. His homework is nearly done, and he decides he better get back to it before Mom comes back in. Or she can just help like she had been.

He just. Cannot bring himself to believe what was said yesterday. Or what had happened today at school.

Guilt. Worry. They set in after he had been done thinking that Mason got what he deserved. Anyone that liked William would agree. But he...felt horrible. Bad for hurting him. He didn't start it. He wanted nothing to do with it. Mason came up to him wanting a fight, and he retaliated. Without thought.

So yes, while he feels bad, Mason was still in the wrong for this.

...he'll go down to the table with his family tonight.

Then he could feel at peace for now, with them, and forget about the stress for a minute.