Event #1 "Devoid of color"

[Naomi Smith]

Naomi and Phillip had left the auditorium because she had to return some borrowed pencils. First, she knocked the door gently with her knuckles, just to be sure if someone was there already.

Knock, knock.

"Excuse me", she said almost silently and opened the door - no one was inside.

Naomi walked to the cabinet where she had taken the pencils and put them back to their place.

"Right, now I'm not in debt to anyone, great!" she giggled and was almost walking towards the door again, but suddenly stopped. Naomi sighted and sat down to one of the desks. "If you don't mind staying here awhile, that mess in the auditorium is just making my head spinning" she massaged her forehead.

"Plus getting some private time with you isn't the worst case either. Sorry we didn't get to talk much about life itself in the auditorium - just some my tech stuff which is boring as hell - I know that..." she started.

"So, how's life? Any girls that I should know about or has this year's student council term started busy?" she asked and fixed her hair while speaking.

"You know since I can't have you - you gotta fill me with some information", she teased him.

[Phillip Pendragon]

Phillip enjoyed the calmer environment as him and Naomi walked through the silent hallways and eventually entered the empty classroom. So when his friend asked to stay a bit longer in the calmer location he immediately agreed. "Sounds perfect. Just tell me when your head gets worse okay? I assume at least so far we still have time to pay the cafeteria a visit or go straight to the nurse office if it gets worse." With that being sad he sat down at a desk as well, right next to her and gave her a worried look that soon turned into a sad one. "I´m sorry for being that busy for so long already. I really miss spending more than just a few minutes of basic communication with you Naomi." The further they got with school it appeared the busier they both got. Phillip again had been elected as president and had to spent quite the time with his fellow council members when not learning or being busy with either club activities, university preperations or "short termed stress relief sessions" with a few of his special friends.

As she changed the topic however, his expression changed as well and he couldnt stop himself from smirking a little. "Ah straight to the interesting part I see. I don´t think too much had changed for some months. The student council is busy with all kinds of things all the time and as the president I am always involved even if i only just have to look through stuff or even be a big part of a project or discussion. If there weren´t people like Nancy involved with it as well I probably would have lost my spirit by now. Regarding the girls ... well I had a few one timed adventures besides the regulars. Otherwise I think there didn´t really happen anything interesting or rather important enough to tell. Still have my fun and I still don´t know what to think of Thalia and me. As you know, at times I really do wonder if there is something more between us. But then again it´s not like either of us intents or even wanted to have an actual romance in the first place. So ... it´s complicated. Now tell me, how have things been going on your end? Anyone catched your eye?"

[Naomi Smith]

"Sounds perfect. Just tell me when your head gets worse okay?" Phillip was worried about her, what a gentleman.

"Don't worry about it too much, big bro" Naomi tried to convince him. Naomi was the only child of her family, so she liked to think Phillip as her big brother, just like Phillip thought her as sister. That's why their feelings never developed to anything more than Platonic love.

Right after that Phillip was sorry for being so busy with everything. "I really miss spending more than just a few minutes of basic communication with you Naomi." he said.

That sentence made her heart melt.

'Dammit this guy and his big golden heart...' Naomi thought and continued listening while smiling.

"I don't envy you at all. Keeping the grades high is a huge task itself, of course beside the clubs..." she sighted and tried to be empathetic. 

But enough of sad and "boring" stuff! She had asked about Phillip's private life - interesting kind of private. 

"Ah straight to the interesting part I see." he smirked. 

Naomi smirked back at him, "Of course, pretty please?" 

It seemed that there was not anyone important enough to be mentioned. That thing between Phillip and Thalia had been going on months and Naomi still didn't know what to think about it. Naomi liked Thalia as her own way - she was sassy, enough to keep Phillip in control. It was hard to form opinion about them when they seemed as confused as everyone else.

"What wouldn't be complicated in your life? Even I'm complicated person, haha" Naomi laughed but stopped immediately when Phillip took his turn to be curious-cat. 

Naomi didn't always got nervous when Phillip was asking about HER relationships/sex life/love life whatever. But today she had reason to be nervous while asked. That meant Naomi had laid her eyes on someone. 

"Before I talk about that I have to ask you something." she changed her cheery mood to more serious one. "Do you remember the dark skinned girl with beautiful white hair at our school?" she asked. Naomi had noticed that Phillip mentioned before "a few one timed adventures", so she wanted to be sure if Phillip had any connections with the one she was talking about. 

"Her name is Katherine, if you don't recall" she said her name while blushing a little bit.

"You know I don't say this very often, but Phillip Pendragon I will fricking kill you if you have fucked her" she sounded like she was angry with him, but they both knew she was just joking around. Of course she would be a bit upset if there had been something between them.

"Anyway, she's amazing gal! That body to die for, precious long hair, great personality... " Naomi could had probably talked about Katherine for hours and hours. 

[Phillip Pendragon]

"Dark skinned girl with white hair? Lemme think about it." Indeed Phillip had to reflect for a bit on his "adventures" there sure was more than one white haired girl as well as tanned or even black ones. It wasn´t like every day he had his fun with the other gender or even several times a day. However he had to admit his frequency of sexual interaction and the amount of sex partners was enough to need more than two hands to count. As Naomi went on and told him a name however Phillip was quite sure about the girl his friend was talking about.

He was just about to tell her his answer when he got the warning which actually quite amused him. Kill him? Now that was harsh. Apparently for once Naomi indeed seemed quite interested in someone and that was absolutely cute in his eyes. For sure his friend deserved some more love and romance if that was what she was seeking. He on the other hand was still conflicted with his feelings and wants. So far he had always told himself that time would solve things out for him and clear his heart and mind. Truth to be told however he was still as confused as months ago.

"Nope, haven´t been doing more than flirting and talking with her. So don´t worry, this guy over here didn´t lay a single finger on your eye candy." Phillip said, pointing at himself whilst smirking at his friend.

[Tristan Pendragon]

Tristan leave the auditorium having difficulty to breathe... He need to ground. .. He need to calme down He saw people coming and going ... two go to the plaza by their silhouette he think he recognize Ryan and Nancy ... not in this direction then ... He want to be alone ... He don t want anybody to see him in this state. ..the batheroom ... people come and go in it ... the art class ... it should be empty by now ... he start to walk trying to breathe calmy...

" Ok ... Think about the alphabet ... and find a game name for each letter. .. you can do it ... don t think about anything else ..."

A-Alice madness returns
B-Bioshock
C-...Castelvania
D-Dragon age inquisition
E-...
F-Fall out 4
G-...
H-...Horizon zero dawn

His face ... it was like ... No ... don't think about it ... he should'nt think about his father and his way to ... make him learn ... the punch, the bruises... the words. .. and his look ... so angry ... so ... like if he was just à shit ...

I-...
J-...
K-...
L- Life is strange
M-...Metal Gear
N-...
O-...o-overwatch....
P-...
Q-...

fuck think ...

R-Resident Evil
S-Silent Hill
T-...
U-Undertale
V-...
W-...
X-...

...

The excuse he had to make for explain why his arm is broken ... He fell on the stairs. .. Yeah again ... what à dumb kid he is ... Finally he started to believe it ... That s dumb. .. Yeah he is ... and he s annoying. .. so fucking usseless. ..

The tears run on his face his breathe stop ... he can't... he can't breathe... Please make it stop ... please ... He open the d'or of the class ... his blurry vision discover two people ... He can't see who is this ... Oh no ... He can t show like that ... he ...he need to ... to go somewhere else .."s-soorry ..." he said panicked. .. he's so sorry for disturbing everyone ... for being so annoying ... for being such a mess ... such a pity ...for existing ...it would be better if he wasn't here ...

[Administrator]

"Nobody will believe you, you are useless," Amanda shook her head trying to get those ugly thoughts out of her head as she got on the second floor to check on the teacher's lounge and the headmasters' office. Sadly, both were closed so she continued walking down the hall, hoping to meet a random teacher on her way. She was about to pass the art classroom, as she heard a familiar voice echoing through the halls. "You know I don't say this very often, but Phillip Pendragon I will fricking kill you if..." said the voice.

"Phillip?" the girl whispered in perplexity. Like a tiny squirrel, she crept up to the doors of the art class and peeked through the tiny slit between the doorjamb and the door. There they were - Phillip and Naomi, chatting along, smiling, having fun...

Amanda felt like her insides shrank from resentment and sadness. She should be the one having fun with Phillip, not Naomi. She should be Phillip's best friend, not HER! "Nobody needs you, you are not indispensable," the girl felt pity for herself and backed away from the door. "Pussy," she swore inwardly, gulping the lump in the throat.

Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Tristan walking from the opposite side of the corridor. The boy was looking like he's seen a ghost, so thankfully it seemed he didn't notice Amanda hiding behind the opposite door. He's just entered the classroom as well. "Good, that will keep those two inside distracted," she thought, turned on her heels and ran back downstairs.

"Nobody cares about you, everybody pretends, you are nothing."

[Naomi Smith]

She was getting pretty nervous while Phillip took his time to answer her question. Naomi hoped she wasn't too harsh with her words, she didn't even know why she was so serious about this, it wasn't like she and Katherine were together, or kissed - not even confessed.

"Nope" he started.

'Thank god...' she was relieved.

"Haven´t been doing more than flirting and talking with her." he continued.

"That's fine by me, more than fine. But please do stay that way with her - nothing more, pretty please?" Naomi begged for him.

Before Phillip could answer her Naomi heard door squeak. She gave a look to the doorway and saw Phillip's brother, Tristan, standing there. He looked quite panicked, which was making Naomi feel nervous. Even thought she had been a good friend of Phillip for couple years, she wasn't relaxed with Tristan. To Naomi Tristan seemed to be this fragile boy, almost a ghost who didn't wanted to be seen. She didn't knew if her bubbly attitude would make it better - or worse, but she tried her best always when she had a chance to talk with Tristan.

"S-soorry ..." Tristan said almost silently.

"Hey Tristan, please come in. You're not bothering us at all" Naomi smiled and beckoned him to come inside the class.

"You don't have to apologi--"

Bzzz, she got interrupted by her cellphone. Quickly she checked her phone, just to notice that her sport gal, also known as Nerissa, had texted her.

Heads up. Miss Kishi was just here and she is livid. If you are not here I suggest you come back to the auditorium asap.
N.

"Oh great, Ms. K is back! And she's having a bad day" she gasped and started to reply to Nerissa.

'I gotta go back - I must report to her about tech stuff. I hope she didn't ask anything from Pidge, 'cause I have the list. Damn, damn...' she mumbled and started to panic. She didn't had the best relationship with Veronica Kishi anyways, but this wouldn't make it better.

"Sorry guys, I really have to go. You guys should probably also head back" Naomi said and rushed out of the art class door.

"Got it, gal. Just a sec and I'll be there.
- NS"

[Phillip Pendragon]

Phillip was just about to assure Naomi that he would never lay a finger on someone who had catched his friends interest, no matter in what way, when suddenly the sound of someone new entering the room cut him off. While the redhead luckily took the lead and invited his younger brother to come sit with them, Phillip was in a state of shock and couldn´t stop staring at his brothers face covered in tears. Just what had happened?

However the moment Naomis phone went off, he snapped back and got up from his seated position and walked over to Tristan, pulling him gently into the room before he could run away from him. Noting the news from his friend he just nodded at her. "Thanks for the head up Naomi. We will be with you shortly. In case Ms. K asks about us just tell her we had an emergency or needed to clean something or whatever." With than being said, he put all his focus on his brother and gestured him to sit down, soon followed by Phillip himself. "What´s wrong Tristan?" He asked, a clearly worried look on his face. He was aware that there were most likely others that were a better help for the younger male. Others Tristan didn´t grew apart from or around whom he simply would feel more comfortable. Yet they still were brothers and for once Phillip could actually help if only he would be let.

[Tristan Pendragon]

"Hey Tristan, please come in. You're not bothering us at all" Naomie said to him ... She's always nice but seems uncomfortable with him ... He can't blame her ... He never know how to act with Phil's friends. He don't want to bother them so he just stay silent and try to be as invisible as he can... He feel his phone vibrating on his pocket, he didn't even wonder who it is, he just freezing ... He wish Phil didn't saw him like this ... He didn't have time to apologize again and run away, Phil come close to him and pull him in the room ... He ask to naomie to lie ? Because of him ... He feel more bad now ... Phil could have problem with miss K. because of him ... Why can't he do something right for once ? He want to tell him he's ok ... He's just ... Same old Tristan always sad ... Nothing to worry about, really ... But his voice is stuck ... Like if he couldn't tell anymore lies ... He sit, staring at the ground, trying to breath, tears still running all over his face, his hand clamp on his wrist. He stare at the tissus who hide his scars ... He shake his head ... He shouldn't think about it ... He stop doing this for years now ...He shouldn't .... He should ... He can't think ... "What´s wrong Tristan?" He raise his head when Phil talk ... He remark he's a little calm ... He still have issue to breath and he still feel panicked but ... Just having Phil here, worring about him ... It make him feel ... good in a way ... He could've be even really happy if he wasn't such a mess right now ..."I... I'm sorry ... I ... I didn't want to ... bother you ..."

As kid he wanted to be close to his big brother, but Phil had to deal with his own demon so ... They never really had the chance to get close ... Phil seems to try to change this, he take Tristan with him almost all the time but ... This hole is still here ... And even if he enjoy having time with his bother ... Tristan is too afraid to said or doing something who'll annoying him too ... "I ..." He gulped could he tell him ? He want to tell him ... They grow up together ... If someone can understand it's him ... His look raise down "w-when Ryan ... punch Al ... I ... His face ... He looked so mad I ... I never saw him like this ..." The memory make him bit his lips, a short moment he thought about Ryan ... He hope he's feeling better ...  "it ... it make me think about ... about dad and ... and his look when he ... he was beating ... It's... It's turn again and again in my head ... What he said ... him and mom ... " a sob escapes him ... "I'm sorry I should shut up ... I don't want to bother you too ... with my messy thought ... Excuse me ..." He said hiding his face on his hand trying to hide is wretched expression, catching his tears ... " I'm so sorry ..."

[Phillip Pendragon]

"First of all you are NEVER bothering me. I know it´s hard to see but I am your brother Tristan. We are family. Not like with our parents. A REAL one! So please tell me what happened. Maybe I can help you." Phillip told Tristan straight in his face, meaning every single word. It was true that he was more focused to keep himself from drowing, resulting in leaving his younger brother behind by self force. Still as long as his mind and heart would be able to deal with it, he would always try to help him even if it were only little things.

At the talk about Ryan and Al Phillip however just got straight out confused. So apparently there was a fight? Or at least a punch though he wasn´t sure who hit who. Apparently though that wasn´t really the important part to begin with. Furthermore it was what it reminded Tristan of. Both brothers worst nightmare, their parents. While Phillip was lucky enough to find a way to please them enough to leave him alone for most of the time, Tristan was never really able to sadly. The elder didn´t really know what exactly it was that gave them such a drastic different outcome of the same situation but at least partly he was putting the blame on himself.

"TRISTAN! You are my little brother and there is nothing you could ever do to bother me or disappoint or whatever nonsense our parents try to make you believe for all your life. You fine just the way you are. Sure I am as pushing you to stuff but you know what for. To get you away from our parents. To give the option to at least try out some new stuff you talk yourself into being not worthy which is nonsense. I know I am not the best as brother but I swear I am trying ... because I love you little brother. I really do even if I truly suck at showing it."

[Tristan Pendragon]

Phillip call them a family ... It was pretty hard to see it, when they were younger they were too appart, now a lot of people are surprise to learn Phillip has a little brother. They are so different. Sun and moon it's not a cliché métaphore, they really are that different. But ... Hearing him said it ... and look like he actually mean it ... Tristan couldn't tell how good it feel ... He always feel lonely at 'home', he prefer to stay away from this cursed house ... Phil had manage to please their parents, he couldn't, even if he try as hard as he can. His stress is too high, everytime he had an exam, even if he study very hard ... His brain just become empty because of the fear ... And then he fail ... And the nightmare continue.

"TRISTAN! You are my little brother and there is nothing you could ever do to bother me or disappoint or whatever nonsense our parents try to make you believe for all your life." Is this true ? Phillip ignore so many things ... He never talk with him about his homosexuality but ... Phil always try to make believe to their parents that Tristan was flirting with some girls when they are out ... He's pretty sure he know, and Phil is friend with Sig ... So it's sure he'll never judge his little brother for being gay ... But what about the self harm ? If Phillip discover it ... It could change everything... If he knew this, if he saw his scars on this wrists and his thighs ... "They're right Phil ... I'm useless ... I... I sometimes wish I was never born ... It would have make no difference for everyone ..." Why is he saying this ? He never told it to anyone ... Or he softens his thought ... He never said it that straight ... He need to shut up ... God he never talk ordinary and today, when he's facing his brother ... Everything just ... go out ...

" You fine just the way you are. Sure I am as pushing you to stuff but you know what for. To get you away from our parents. To give the option to at least try out some new stuff" He knew that, and he's very thankful, he surely don't really show it but ... He is ... He truly is. He still remember how surprise he was the first time Phil asked him to come with him ... How happy he was. " you talk yourself into being not worthy which is nonsense." "I am ... When ...when I saw everyone trying to help me ... you, nancy ... jamie et Reb ... I feel so bad ... I didn't deserv it ...but ... I'm thankful ... I'm truly am ... You have no idea ... how much it means to me... everything you all have done ... You don't know how I'm grateful for all the time you have tried Phil ... Even if we are not really close ... It mean a lot ..." He can't look at him ... He's so ashamed to let it all of this go out of his heart ... He feel stupid but ... it's the truth ... without all of them ... he would have done a really stupid thing a long time ago ..." I know I am not the best as brother but I swear I am trying ... because I love you little brother. I really do even if I truly suck at showing it." Tristan finally raise is head, his eyes on phil's eyes ... It can't said for how long he was waiting to heard that ... He feel a weight going from his chest ... "I ... I love you too Phil ... " is all he can say right now ... He look down and wipes is face, damn he's such a cry baby ... He bit his lips, hesitate before hugging his older brother. "Thank you ..."

[Phillip Pendragon]

"Nonsense!" Phillip, for once witch a raised voice, declined his brothers talk about things being better without him being born. "Of course it would make a difference! Just think about all your friends, about me. We all would have a piece missing if you weren´t there. It is good that you are here, that you are alive." Looking his brother straight in the eyes it felt like for a second he could see right into his soul. His very messed up, mistreated and darkened by sadness soul. And there it was, the moment Phillip had always hoped for but had never managed to achieve until now. Tristan opened up to him. Possibly not completely but enough to both pain and melt the elders heart.

As much as the help Phillip tries to give means to Tristan, as much means the appreciation of it to the older brother. However just as much it weighed on him that it made Tristan feel so awefull for doing nothing wrong or bad to begin with. As Tristan finall raised his head, Phillip didn´t hesitate to wipe away at least a few of his brothers tears and smiled gently down at him. "There is no need to feel bad for achieving peoples help. We want to help you and do something for you because you mean a lot to us little brother." With that he reciprocated the hug and hold his brother tight in his arms for a moment, as if he was trying to shield him from all the harm for once.

Thinking about it however he got reminded about the information Naomi had dropped before exiting the room. "I think we should head back as well to the auditorium before Ms. K explodes with anger. Or do you need a bit more time?"

[Tristan Pendragon]

He didn't know if it was a good things he tell all this things to Phillip ... But it feel like it is ... Finally be able to tell his big brother what he really feel (or kind of) ... It's like a delivery. He know they'll need more time for reduce this distance who had grown between them but ... He had the feeling they make a pretty big step to each other today. "There is no need to feel bad for achieving peoples help. We want to help you and do something for you because you mean a lot to us little brother." "I just don't ... I don't want to always be the one who need help ... I wish I could be more ..."normal" ... and be able to help you guys too ..." He said softly ... But he didn't now how to do it, he really want to help, he already listen to some people problems, trying to chearing up but ... With his introvertism it's pretty hard to be good at it.

"I think we should head back as well to the auditorium before Ms. K explodes with anger. Or do you need a bit more time?" "Oh right ..." He said thinking a moment ..." I...Y-you should go ... I don't want to get you in trouble ... I ... I need a little time ... I don't want to go back like this ... if nancy saw me she'll freaking out ... I don't want to worry her ..." She's been already worried enough with Ryan she didn't need more concern. "I'll join you in a minute ... just the time I finish to calm down ... I'm always hiding behind everyone so Ms. K'll not notice I'm not here right away." and he's not very important for the club, he never audition for role so ... really his presence is not necessary. "I'll be fine don't worry" He said smiling a little for reassure his brother, he just need a little time alone before coming back to the auditorium.

[Phillip Pendragon]

"I am not leaving without you brother." Phillip assured him with a friendly tone. "We can wait for a little but I would suggest we go back to the auditorium right now and excuse ourselves from todays club activities and go somewhere else for some proper talk and maybe dinner? Does that sound good to you?" Sure, he was at least a bit curious about the next play and what roles there were and so on. However besides that his brothers well being was more important to begin with, Ms. K probably would understand if they needed a time out to "see a doctor" or whatever Phillip would come up with as he didnt decide for the offical excuse yet. Also for sure he already had some quite important roles in previous plays. So even if he would loose the teachers benefit, he wouldnt mind too much if someone else got "his" spotlight now. He was seeking influnence and a bit of power, to surround his cracked soul with a facade of safety due to his "high status", but definitely he wasnt seeking fame and glory or at least he thought so.

[Tristan Pendragon]

He look at his brother, surprised. "y-you want to avoid the drama club ? Didn't you fear that Miss.K'll be mad at you ? A-and what about the piece ? You like having the big role" And who can blame Phil ? He's a good actor and always killing at the role he gets. He really enjoy the idea that Phil prefer to pass some time with him, but he didn't want to get him in trouble. He smile softly "It sound pretty good yeah ..." He wipes his face removing all trace of his crying and raise up. "We can go" He smile to his brother and let him take the leed, following him in the corridor when he leave the room.

He remember he had a text so he took his phone, he's surprise to see the name who appear on his screen.

from : Ryan
' Hey you still in the club? Can you come to the plaza? Need you. '

Oh crap ... He feel bad he didn't see it earlier ... He hope Ryan is ok ... He was with Nancy earlier and he know how good she can be for calm down people ... If Ryan still feel bad after his meeting with her ... So he's really upset by the prank ...He totally forgot how he was feeling a few minutes ago for only worried about the blond... He look at Phil ... If he suddenly run away it'll look suspect ... He answer.

to : Ryan
'Hey, sorry wasn't able to watch my phone earlier. Are you ok ? I was worried about you. I'm going back to the auditorium with Phil for catching our stuff before moving ... Do you still want me to come ?"

The text was send few minutes ago, maybe Ryan didn't him anymore ...He keep his phone on his hand for being sure to not miss another text.