Chapter 2 The Beginning

Desmond Ducat, his jet black hair that begs for your fingers to run through it falling just above those sparkling sapphire eyes that perce into the depths of your soul. Full lips placed upon a perfect face with that sharp jawline and if you're lucky enough to catch a glimpse of those heart stopping dimples. Leviathan Hawthorne, his dirty blond locks flowing in luscious curly waves upon his head. His cold emerald eyes that portray no emotion under that thick set of lashes, high cheekbones and that bone structure carved by the gods themselves. The pair had every girl swooning over them not just for their stunningly good looks but for those amazing bodies as well. Both boys were built like professional athletes, despite the strict uniform dress code, there was no hiding just how defined their muscles were, threatening to tear through those thin white shirts. The only differences between the two was Desmond was taller by two inches, and leviathan had an olive skin tone where Desmond's complexion was a seductive bronze.

My hands flew to cover my lips as Desmond's fist cut through the air with such force I could almost see the air ripple around it. Like when you throw a rock into a calm pond. Seconds later coming into contact with Leviathans jaw so hard I swear I heard bones crack beneath the weight. Blood spattered from his mouth, causing an uproar throughout the crowd. The students cheered loudly pushing forward to get a better view of the action. Leviathan retaliates in an instant slamming his first into Desmond's left eye. That's all it took for the two boys to turn this hallway into their own personal UFC cage match.

"Yes! We are already off to a good start!" Rosa cheered bouncing on her feet to get a better view, clapping at the seen. "Those two never disappoint!"

"Guess it's safe to say they didn't hash out their issues over the break." I tell her as I wince watching Desmond's head collide with Leviathans in a brutal headbutt.

" It's an omen, it's going to be another great year!" Rosa exclaims with a huge grin on her lips. Looking way too into the vicious assault in front of us.

I turn my head away from the seen as Leviathans knee collides with Desmond's face held firmly between his hands. I catch a glimpse of the staff rushing into the crowded hallway trying to push past the sea of amped up students feasting on the gruesome fight. The cheers growing increasingly louder as the students have chosen their favorite to win and chant their names in unison. The staff pushing desperately through the students to break up the fight. I tug on Rosa's arm attempting to get her attention unable to bear another moment of this madness. She looks down at me with a shake of her head and a pleading look in her eyes that tells me she is no where near ready to walk away from her morning entertainment. With a small nod of my head I turn on my heal and push past the crowd heading towards my class.

I find my assigned seat and plop down in my chair with an audible groan. Then pull out my notebook and pencil and begin to doodle while I await the rest of the class to file in, knowing it may take awhile. No one really knows how the feud started between the two of them, of course there has always been rumors spread throughout different social groups. But neither boy has ever came out to say for sure where the true animosity began. It's hard to believe looking at them now, but it wasn't always like this. There was actually a time when the two were not only friends but best friends.

Desmond and Leviathan's parents were close friends with my parents and they all ran the same social circles. Our nannies were good friends and because we live in the same neighborhood we played in the same parks. The three of us were once inseparable. Our family's even took vacations together. We attended the same daycare, the same schools from preschool all the way up until now. Even sharing most of the same classes. We were like a big happy family, the three of us being only children born to our parents became siblings in a sense. That is, up until our last year of elementary school.

That year, we found out my mother was sick with breast cancer. My father and I spent all our time with her, in and out of hospitals desperately trying to cure her. My time with the boys became less frequent that year. In the year prior to her illness our families had planned a trip to Spain for that summer. Obviously, my family was unable to attend due to moms ongoing treatments. So Leviathan and Desmond's family went together. It all started when they returned to the states after that vacation. Suddenly they couldn't tolerate being in the same room as one another and fought over everything including the air to breath. They constantly drug me into their battles demanding I'd pick a side on their mediocre petty issues. As my mother's condition worsened when the cancer spread to her bones and the doctors had lost all hope the two boys who had always been a safe haven in my life were no longer able to comfort me. They turned from being my rock that held me to reality and consoled me to the infinite storm that sought out to violently swallow me whole while I slowly drowned. We never had a falling out or any unresolved issues between me and them. But It didn't take long before I couldn't bear to be around the two of them at the same time. As I prepared for the funeral we slowly faded into what we are now. From best friends to meer acquaintances on my part and the two of them sworn enemies.

The first year of middle school is when they began their relentless competitions. They competed over everything from who had the best grades, to who had the most accomplishments in different sports and extracurricular activities. From who could pull the most females to who drove the best vehicles. It was so petty, they would even compete over who could finish the most food first in the cafeteria. By the end of our last year of middle school it changed to where their competitions no longer surfaced to calm their rage built up inside. That's when the barbaric assaults first became a common occurrence.

The bell rang drawing me out of my train of thought as the students made their way into the class room. Rushing in with loud voices and laughter all chatting about the same thing. The sadistic bloody mess that occurred moments ago in the hallway. My face twisted in confusion as Rosa strolled in and plopped down in the chair directly in front of me. We have been assigned seats next to each other sense middle school so checking to see who would be placed next to me never crossed my mind. Rosa leaned back in her chair slightly turned to face my direction, a wide smile plastered on her face pushing her cheeks to her eyes anticipation bubbling to tell me all about what I had missed. My stomach knotted knowing I wouldn't be able to stand the gory details. Sure, we weren't close anymore but I still equally cared for the both of them. I've never shared my past with the boys to Rosa or anyone for that matter, just never seemed important enough to bring up. Sharing our story would never change anything, my Dez and Levy were gone forever.

"Seriously! You missed out on so much..." Rosa begins to tell me as my body tenses preparing to unwillingly hear the worst.

"Calm down! Take your seats!" The teacher interrupts the chatter as he walks into the room making his way to the whiteboard. I mentally thank him for sparing me from hearing another word, even if it is just temporary. "I know you've all had an eventful morning, but you are here to learn. So let's put our attention to the front of the room and get started."

Rosa pouts her bottom lip, before turning in her seat and setting her chair back on all fours. I sit up and focus on the lecture.

Half way through class, everyone was occupied with their workbooks. When Mr. Oliver's voice cuts through the quiet atmosphere drawing my attention from my work. I looked up from my assignment to see Mr. Oliver talking with Desmond. Desmond's back was facing me so I was unable to see just how bad the after affects of the fight were this time. I pretend to focus on my work as I listen into their conversation.

"Welcome Mr. Ducat. Glad to see you've finally made it to class. I hope you've gotten all your distractions out of the way and are ready to focus now."

Desmond's response was too quiet for me to make out. He was always the shy quiet one in our group. A man of few words you could say, but honestly no one paid attention to what he was saying, too engulfed in his looks.

"Glad to hear it," Mr. Oliver says with a smile as I look to the front of the room again, simultaneously turning the page in my workbook. "Go ahead and make your way to your assigned seat." He tells Desmond while handing him a workbook before gesturing in my direction. I take a quick glance of the room noticing only three seats are left empty. One of which is in the front of the room to my left while the other two are on both sides of me. I was certain Desmond would make his way to the chair in front but to my surprise he walked right past it.