Part II Chapter XII: New Rules

"I mean, she's dating Peyton! Did you hear what I said? Peyton!"

"Laurent…"

"Of all the guys at Notre Dame, Peyton!"

"Laurent…"

"If she had dated someone calm and…"

"Would you shut the fuck up and listen!"

He pulled the phone away from his ear, surprised that Jacques shouted. "I'm listening," he said, bringing the phone to his ear once more.

"Dude, it's 1 a.m. I need to sleep, you need to sleep, most especially me. I don't give a damn if you sleep. I get you're mad. Correction, I don't get why you're mad. It's her life."

"It's because…come to think about it, I have no idea."

"You're sick Laurent. You said you don't like her…"

"I don't."

"Whatever. If you don't like her, why do you care so much?"

"Because I feel she deserves better…"

"Like who, Laurent Hathaway?"

"Shut up."

He could hear him laugh through the phone. "You two are crazy, I'm going to bed."

"Wait, would you just…"

He already hung up on him before he could complete his statement. Sighing, he ran his fingers through his hair. He sat on the bed, also wondering why he was pissed off Julianne was dating Peyton. He shoved his thoughts aside and finally dozed off.

"You look terrible," she said, sitting next to Jacques. "No thanks to your boyfriend," he mumbled, tossing his dreadlocks to the side. "You broke his fragile heart."

"You are such a jerk you know. Still, it doesn't explain why you look like this."

"He kept me up till one."

"Why would he do that?" She laughed.

"I have no idea. Since Laurent believes we are long lost brothers…"

"He thinks you are his brother?"

"Not exactly, if I was his brother, I'd go nuts. I'm the only one who he blabs to. For the record, he blabs a lot. I didn't know you liked Peyton…"

"I don't like him, I'm trying to get back at Laurent."

He stared at her face for a while, blinking his eyes. He suddenly burst into laughter. "Why do you always do that?"

"Do what?"

"Laugh at me all the time."

"Why would you think Laurent would care if you dated some guy?"

"Never mind…"

She tucked her hair behind her ear, having a dull expression on her face. "What's wrong Jules? Sad because Laurent doesn't feel the same way you do?"

"Shut up."

"He's an idiot, you're too smart for him. If he was sensible enough, you two would probably be dating by now."

"You think so?" She smiled.

"I'm done talking."

"Why won't you…"

"Shut up Julie, or we'll both get detention."

She hurriedly walked to the counter to get her food. Once she was done, she made her way to the table where Jacques was seated.

"Where's your little squad, why aren't they here?"

"What squad?"

"You know, Kylian, Andrew, Philip…Laurent."

"I see where this is going. I guess you're not the only one pissed off with Laurent."

"Why, because he deprived you of your beauty sleep?" She said, wiggling her brows.

"You are…"

She gazed lazily in another direction. Wondering why she was suddenly distracted, he also looked in her direction. He sighed when he finally saw who she was looking for. "You have a problem, Julianne," he said to the distracted girl who was drooling over Laurent. He sat at their table, patting Jacques on the back. Pissed off, he left the table, leaving Julianne and Laurent alone. The ensuing silence was awkward, she suddenly lost her appetite. Her thoughts drifted to her days at home, her grandparents, and her friends. Hearing his voice jolted her back to reality.

"Were you serious about dating Peyton?"

She blinked twice before covering her face with her palms. "Yes, I was, why do you care?"

"On normal occasions, I wouldn't care, but this time, it's…different."

She folded her hands over her chest. "Why is it so?"

"Because Peyton doesn't deserve you."

She tried to hold down her laughter but failed. "Why do you think so?"

"Because he'll hurt you, Julie, he's even worse than I am."

"You still haven't told me why you care, is it because we're…friends?"

"It's not that. Just to clarify, we aren't friends."

"What do you mean 'we aren't friends?'"

"If we were friends, you'd have to do terrible things, you're not cut out for it."

"I thought you were the epitome of perfection, Laurent. Besides, I'm not ready to listen to you."

She got up from the table, taking her tray with her. He watched her leave the cafeteria. Sighing, he got up from the chair also, heading back to class. On his way, he spotted a guy with platinum blond hair talking to some girls. He didn't need a jury to him who it was. He rushed towards him, dragging him away from the girls.

"What is wrong with you Laurent? Let go of me!" He shouted as Laurent dragged him. He finally shoved him to a corner and said, "Do you want to know what's wrong with me? Fine, I'll tell you what's wrong. Why would you fucking date Julianne?"

"Oh that," he chuckled, straightening the wrinkles in his shirt, "It just kinda happened."

"End it," he hissed.

"No way bro, not until I've fucked her. Then I'll break up with her."

He punched him squarely in the jaw, making him stagger back. The metallic tang of his blood filled his mouth. His steps were wobbly, but he didn't back down. He threw a punch but missed by a margin. Laurent grabbed his arm, twisting it at an abnormal angle. Peyton cried out in pain before falling to the ground. "I'll say it again, break…"

"What are you doing to him?"

Julianne rushed to Peyton's side, tending to him. "What is it with you Laurent? Why do you have to be so selfish? Stay out of my life!"

"You're not listening Julianne, he isn't what he seems to be."

"You one to talk Laurent. I thought so highly of you but here you are proving me wrong. Just look at him!"

"I…"

"I'm not in the mood to listen to your nonsense."

She supported Peyton as they walked to the infirmary. He had broken his nose and dislocated his arm. As the doctor examined him, she couldn't help but feel bad that it was her fault that happened.

"I'm sorry," she said to him when the doctor had left.

"It's fine Jules, I'll be fine."

"You sure about that?"

"A hundred percent sure."