This is the sequel to my other story Ambivalent Life.  You kind of have to read the other one to understand this one.   

Integrity

          Luska Cassatt was trying to bait Ghent in to something.  Trivan could see it even from across the street.  He could see it in the way Ghent stood.  The blond was stiff as a board, biting his lip so fiercely that Trivan was a little surprised that it hadn’t started to bleed.

          Luska’s stance was aggressive.  Trivan knew that stand.  Luska believed he had the upper hand, and would use it ruthlessly, exploit it to its fullest.  That was what Luska did.

          And Kath Schläger just stood there quietly, her eyes dancing back and forth from her beloved brother and the other boy with near white hair and cocky self-assurance.  Trivan was well aware of what was going on there.  This wasn’t the first time that he had watched Ghent, and hence his younger sister.  He kept tabs on the all the time no matter what.  He knew all about the stolen conversations between the mousy girl who had never lived outside of her brother’s shadow, and the charismatic snake.  Kath should know better, but that was her business.  If she wanted to make mistakes, then let her.  She had to grow up sooner or later.

          Trivan was more concerned about why Ghent was just walking away.

          “How long you going to mope around like an idiot?”  Pryor snapped at him.  He was standing just behind Trivan, his arms crossed as he leaned back against the wall.  Trivan ignored him.  He was already angry enough as it was. 

          “Pryor.”  Dakar said warningly.  The redhead was also standing behind Trivan, waiting.  But at least he understood somewhat.  He didn’t know what it was like to have to purposely fail, to pretend to be stupid and give up all pride.  To watch the one person he cared about flounder.  The majority of Dakar’s life was spent attached to a computer.  But at least he had the common sense not to push it.

          Pryor Kiev had never believed in common sense.  “This is pathetic!”  He exclaimed.

          Trivan tore his eyes away from Ghent, trying not to think about how those shoulders slumped forward, or how tired the other boy looked.  “Fuck off, Pryor.”  He pronounced clearly. 

          “Can we go get lunch now?” Pryor growled as he pushed off of the wall.  “We’ve more important things to do than to wait around while you pine over some half-witted government lapdog.” 

          “Pryor!”

          Trivan growled over Dakar’s shocked response.  He and Pryor were now facing each other, and Trivan gave into the temptation. One good solid shove made everything suddenly make sense.  Pryor stumbled back, not having expected a physical response.    But then he sprung forward with an outraged cry.  Trivan tried to dodge, and felt Pryor’s shoulder slam into his own.  He grunted under the blow, and staggered backward.  Quickly, he grabbed Pryor by the arms to try to restrain him.  The other boy immediately began to struggle with him.

          “Shit!”  Dakar exclaimed from near by.  “Will you two stop it!  Admin.’s coming!”

          Pryor landed a heavy blow on Trivan to the shoulder, then sprang back.  Trivan let him go immediately.  It wouldn’t do for them to be caught fighting on school grounds.  Pryor was still on probation for the real fight he had started last year with another boy.  Their fight had been brief, and little more than wrestling.  Certainly not enough to risk getting into trouble.

          Dakar was practically hopping back and forth from one foot to the other, fretting.  His long pale fingers were twisted together and his wide green eyes danced back and forth nervously between his two friends and the adult coming towards them through the crowd of other students.

          “Now might be a good time to leave.”  Pryor whispered harshly as he tried to calm himself.

          Trivan glanced at him and nodded.