Wait, Why am I scared of you again? (Odion)

[Craven Grimley]

What an utterly useless class to be in. Maths. What was the point of Maths anyway? Craven was so not good at it and so wanted to not do it but then he thought back on the fact of how important getting good grades were and he paid the slightest bit more attention to the whole thing. It was thursday anyway and one more day before he got the weekend free. Weekends had become far less ... dramatic now. Robbie was generally absent in his life lately.

Gia was still getting over the shock of what had happened at Christmas. Adrianna had her own issues to deal with and Romeo had more then issues lately. Most weekends he'd simply curl up with homework or a good book. Life was pretty much trouble free except for when Tanner decided it was time to 'hang'. His brother conveniently choose those time to be when he'd planned to see Gia or spend time with Gia. Craven reminded himself that Tanner was graduating soon and that they needed to spend a lot of time together anyway.

The crow boy exited his maths class and headed for his lunch break heading to his locker to grab the books for his next class. He'd decided to meet up with Gia for lunch in the cafeteria. They didn't do that often enough anyway so he'd give it a shot today. At his locker, he pulled out his chemistry book and closed his locker again, turning toward the cafeteria when low and behold.... which red head should be heading his way but the one and only bane of his existance.

Not Zac... but Odion. Craven stopped and did a quick turn slipping his books into his shoulder bag when he came to the realization that he was doing exactly what he set out not to do this year. He was NOT cowardly anymore. He'd spent too much time punching a punching bag to be remotely afraid of punching Odion's face should the opportunity be called upon to do so. The boy turned to face who he deemed as the enemy and headed right to Odion blocking his way.

"Okay. I know you hate me. I hate you but I wanted to apologize for ruining Rhett's face. He has such a pretty one and if you want to punch me, you're welcome to try. I give you fair warning that I will punch back."
Craven didn't think that was a good opener really but he was tired of being the soft heart. He wasn't with Adrianna anymore. He wasn't with his father and most importantly... he wasn't with Romeo. Being the soft heart had got him into so much troubling situations in the past. It was done and over with now. He was done being a coward and a floor mat.

"I think, for Rhett's sake, we should try and be civil to one another. We might actually become tolerant of one another if we try. "
Craven suggested, squaring his shoulders and raising his head a little higher.

[Odion Martins]

Odion didn’t expect to be crossing paths with Craven. After all, he had the same classes all semester and hadn’t run into the boy since the first and last time they met. There were no books in the ginger’s arms, not even notebooks. If he couldn’t remember his classes off the bat, they weren’t worth remembering at all. School wasn’t important to him, not when he knew how to work around society and its ideals, even though his own morals were corrupt. At first it seemed that Craven was going to duck for cover, but then he changed his mind and stood right in front of Odion.

The freckled boy looked Craven up and down with contempt – anyone with a crow for a lover was worthy of such a look. The only resolution Odion had come up with, was to conceal his true self even more. With his so called ‘family’ up and out of his life, nothing had captured his interest, save Rhett of course. Odion knew of his and Craven’s relationship, friendship, whatever it was. He had to be at peace with the fact they he and Rhett liked different people, and as long as Rhett didn’t leave him again, it didn’t really bother Odion so long as he wasn’t forced to play nice.

“I don’t really hate you, just that bird of yours,” he said, not breaking eye contact. Odion didn’t think there was anything wrong with Rhett’s face, even though that pest had attempted to rip it to shreds. He stared blankly at Craven as he spoke about punching. He had no desire to do that, mostly because he didn’t care but also because Craven didn’t deserve it. In fact, Craven seemed so unlike himself that Odion found him a little more interesting than their last encounter. Something was probably bothering him, but Odi didn’t really give a damn.

“Why? Did Rhett ask you to talk to me?” He asked, leaning against the nearby lockers. Odion knew that Rhett hadn’t talked to him about Craven, not even in passing. He grinned for no reason. Craven might’ve been trying not to be soft-hearted, but he was failing miserably if he was confronting Odion for Rhett’s sake and not his own. Of course Odion had no way of knowing this, but he wasn’t ready to tell Craven flat out to fuck off. Maybe Craven had a more persuasive argument than the one he just blurted out, and Odi was giving him a second chance to prove that.

[Craven Grimley]

Craven raised an eyebrow at the look he got from Odion and straightened a bit more. No, he would not back down this time or ever again really. He was determined to kiss and make up with Odion, no matter how much time or work it cost. Couldn't Odion see that Craven was a good contact to have even if they were only contacts at all and nothing more. He fancied sitting at a table with Rhett, Gia and... Yes, Odion for once. And not fearing that firey glare from the ginger that aimed to kill.

What Odion said next brought Craven to part his lips in surprise. Both eyebrow crawled up his forehead for a moment before his face pulled into a slow smirk at the fact that Odion didn't like Jet. Craven slowly nodded and lowered his eyes for a moment, his hands slipping into his pockets as he relaxed his posture from it's defensiveness.
"Wow, you and your boyfriend share the hatred of the feather pocket picker then."
Craven announced with a softer tone to his words then he'd had when he'd approached Odion.

Craven shifted his books to rest against his side, feeling that he wouldn't need them as a weapon against Odion's fist after all then frowned at the question that was posed to him.
"What-No. No... I decided we needed to get this trash out the way myself actually. "
Craven licked at his lips and let his blue eyes flick to the ceiling for a moment before returning to meet the ginger's once again.

"I guess I'd like to get to know you. You're important to Rhett right? There must be something interesting about you then. Just gotta figure out what."
Craven's tone became playful, his blue eyes searching Odion, flicking up and down Odion's figure.
"Do you have lunch plans? Lunch is on me if you want. Away from Hammel."
Craven set the offer out there hoping he hadn't said anything to offend.

Coming out of Grimley manner and stepping into Stark residence had done his confidence a world of good. Gaining Gia's hand and slipping that promise ring on her finger had been even better. He had his girl, he had his best friend, he had Rhett and Romeo and Robbie and Thyme and he might be able to smooth things over with Odion as well. Things were going his way now.

[Odion Martins]

Odion wasn’t sure why this kid was so adamant on befriending him. He had tried once before, and that hadn’t worked out in Craven’s favour. No, his best bet was letting things be as they had been. He may have been determined to change, but Odion had no such desire. Craven wasn’t even remotely likable, interesting, intriguing. He was another face in the crowd, another pest, much like his crow. Why would Craven want to hang out with a bully anyways? It wouldn’t be enjoyable for anyone, save for Rhett and Craven, and that would just be awkward.

The brunette was succumbing to his old ways already. “I don’t know anyone who doesn’t hate that stupid thing,” he said, his arms still crossed in front of his chest. It was obvious who was in control here, and the only reason Odion was talking to Craven, was to be polite about the fact that they both knew Rhett. But, again, Odion was the superior one in that domain as well. Odion thought Craven needed friends other than birds, but he really didn’t want that to be him necessarily.

It was fun to watch Craven squirm – he was looking around all over the place. Odion grinned and held back a laugh, it wasn’t like Rhett would be in trouble if he had asked Craven to talk to him. But Odi already knew this wasn’t the case. Rhett found him interesting, yes, why? The ginger had no idea. And neither did Rhett. In this way, he and Craven seemed to be in the same boat, in fact, all of them were sailing that particular sea together.

“Lunch you say?” Odion was interested. Let Craven think he was in control all he wanted. This was an interesting turn of events. Why was everyone so concerned with getting to know him? “You’re skipping class for me? I’m charmed,” he teased viciously, letting his arms fall to his side. He was trying to show that he was letting his guard down a bit.

“But I swear to god, if that bird tries to attack me, I’m going to kill it,” he warned, turning and heading for the nearest exit.

[Craven Grimley]

Craven had to admit that this was awkward but he couldn't help but pulling himself in Rhett's shoes for a moment. Always having to look over his shoulder to make sure. Tip toeing around people he certainly WANTED to spend time with but couldn't because his boyfriend might not like them. Craven had a very different view on relationships. Being with someone meant sharing a life together. Not just time, kisses and mindblowing sex. It meant making sacrifices and putting up with mundane self absorbed people like Odion.

Even friendships worked like that. Even his friendships. He'd do anything for the hand full of friends he had. From Rhett right down to Adrianna. Even Romeo, though he was a little heartbreaking machine, was one of those people he would bend over backwards for cause that's what it meant to care. Craven raised an eyebrow when he heard what Odion said about Jet and stiffened at the itch in his first. Oh God. If he played through on his temptations, Rhett would be soooo mad at him.

Two faces ruined in a matter of days. It would most definitely be some kind of record. Craven instead, bit into his bottom lip and took a deep breath.
"Lucky you're just being a judgemental twat right now. I'll get used to it, I'm sure."
Craven flashed a smile and held back from making the smile seem way to sarcastic and plucked on. Craven heard the interest in Odion's voice and couldn't help the smirk pulling at his face. Craven nodded at Odion's question.

"Skipping class for you? You've got to be kidding me. You're not worth that much. I don't skip class for anyone....I'd get murdered..."
Craven admitted quirking a brow at Odion. No, it wasn't worth it. He wanted Yale. He wanted Law. He wanted the big mansion with two pools, a butler, a maid and an absolute and incredibly overjoyed Gia to feel like she was the very queen of the world under their roof. Skipping class was not an obtion for the straight A student.

Craven smirked a little and pulled out a set of carkeys.
"This can get us to New York and back before lunch break is over. "
Tanner's beautiful white Lam had been used a lot since they arrived at school and it had actually been Tanner that had approached him with the spare set of keeps and told Craven not to hug him in front of everyone OR start being all emotional. It was hard at first but Craven managed, simply allowing things to fall back into place but his big brother would never know just how grateful he was.

Craven frowned when Odion walked off with those words spilling from his lips and quickly fell in beside Odion smirking.
"I'll pass on the message that if she were to attack you she should aim to kill for the sake of her own life and mine."
Craven stuffed his hands in his pockets looking straight ahead of him as he allowed Odion to lead the way out the school.

He was no one's floor mat anymore. He would not be intimidated, scared or flustered any more. Odion had NOTHING on Cooper Grimley and Craven and Cooper shared blood as father and son. The Evil Gene had to be hidden by all his mom's nice genes. That was all. He'd need it to make sure he didn't act like a blubbering idiot again. He'd never get anyone's respect like that, least of all his father's and it started here...

[Odion Martins]

Odion didn’t much care for putting himself in others’ shoes. If that were the case, he probably wouldn’t be stealing to amuse and support himself. He didn’t bend over backwards for anyone, especially just to get used and thrown out like tissue paper. If Craven wanted to punch him, so be it. He would simply freeze time and walk away. It would be fairly amusing to watch the brunette punch nothing, surprise on his face.

“Ooo, judgemental twat am I?” He asked, pinching Craven’s cheek where his smile caught on his face. “That’s rather adorable, I had no idea you had such a European vocabulary.” He said. If Craven described Odion as a twat, that was her prerogative. However, this was his personality, not a matter of mood.

So he wasn’t skipping class after all. Oh well, it wasn’t like Odion kept tabs on the other boy. He took a shot in the dark and missed, that’s what happened when you poked around in the shadows. “Wouldn’t skip class for anyone? I doubt that, everyone has their price,” he said as matter of opinion. If Gia was feeling frisky he would skip. Hell, if Romeo was feeling the same, he would skip two classes in a row.

“We don’t need to go that far for food, wouldn’t want you to miss class or anything like that,” Odion said, approaching the white car and letting himself in once the doors were unlocked. Luxury didn’t mean much to the ginger, who believed a car like this could be bought without lifting a single finger. “I doubt your bird can freeze time, if anyone’s dying, it will.” He said, placing emphasis on the fact that the bird’s gender was meaningless to him.

Odion settled himself into the seat, and stared out the window. He was content to see how awkward things would get for Craven before he started rambling again. Besides, he hadn’t approached Craven, he didn’t feel responsible to keep the conversation going or try to get to know Craven at all. He didn’t want to, he wanted to see what Craven wanted, which would have to present itself eventually.

[Craven Grimley]

Craven smirked when the words were repeated back to him but it quickly faded when that hand came out to pinch his cheek. His hand flew to his cheek and he rubbed at it when Odion let go. Well, Craven could estimate what kind of grandfather Odion would make eventually and it was not the good kind.
"Yes. I thought you might enjoy being called a twat... natively. Heard you're Irish. Beautiful country, nice people... What went wrong with you, I can't fathom?"

Hey, wow. This was becoming fun. These insults. At least it was easier then punching anyone. Craven was told that everyone had a price. Maybe that was true but his price was far higher then most. Craven had always had the ability to get what he wanted and his prices for doing something he didn't want to do was far higher. He'd always been smart enough to find a way around doing things he didn't want to do. Once in the car Craven pressed the ignition button and pulled out.

He shrugged when Odion mentioned that they didn't need to go that far.
"I don't eat in the cafeteria unless I can help it and after Daddy dearest got us a car, we kinda have the freedom to choose what we want to eat really. "
Craven explained as he headed out of the school yard.
"Stop whining about Jet. At least she gave us an expression to use in her honor. You know... Miserable old crow... Came from my girl."

Craven flicked his eyes over at Odion before returning them to the road. The car vibrated around them and Craven could see why Tanner went dolally over it. It was like a tiger purring as it raced down the road.
"Do you drive Odion? "
Craven asked lightly. One way to piss off his big brother.... Craven grinned mischieviously. He didn't see the point in doing it really.

Except for the fact that Tanner kept insulting Gia. 'Fucking the help Cravie boy?' Craven scowled out the windsheild.
"Who taught you to be so...tough and touch and go anyway? From what I've seen, the Irish are warm and welcoming people unless I heard wrong. You are Irish right?"
Craven quirked an eyebrow as they hit town and he slowed down their speed.

[Odion Martins]

Odion twitched a bit as Craven spat out where he was from. The only one who could have told him that was Rhett. Why Rhett was telling the world his origins was insulting. If he should be telling anyone, Odi would’ve preferred it be him. Being abandoned as an infant, he didn’t even know his own origins.

“Wouldn’t know, might be due to the fact I was left behind by my parents,” he said bitterly, not really thinking about what he was saying, but why Rhett hadn’t told him more about his own past. If Craven was trying to play a new game, this was definitely the ginger’s poison. That, and alcohol, but Odi would be damned if he knew that too. He scratched the back of his neck and tried not to place too much emphasis on his place in the world.

Now in the car, Odion shrugged. “Anyone can choose to eat wherever they want, your point is invalid.” He said simply. Obviously Craven had never heard of dine and dash. What was the point of being at a boarding school if you were always going out to eat? What a waste of time. He smirked, not that that was a real problem for him. Odion only stared at Craven as he went on about his crow. Idiot. He thought to himself. Did his parents name him Craven because they knew one day he would have to use his bird brain for the betterment of all flying creatures alike? Super.

Craven changed the subject completely and Odion was happy to go along with it. This wasn’t getting to know him; small talk he could do. “Drive? Can’t say I have.” He said, not really seeing the need to. It was just a societal marker here that he didn’t have the desire for. But that didn’t last long.

“Nobody taught me,” he said, leaving the subject at that. If Craven knew about his heritage, then he should know about his relationship with Rhett, the one that people didn’t get to see with their own eyes at Hammel. Odion was reminded why he didn’t like people like Craven. They were rich, stupid, arrogant, and had ‘problems’ they didn’t know how to deal with when the world was handed to them on a silver platter. “Mommy and daddy didn’t teach you how to have a back bone?” Sounded like Craven was a little jealous.