A/N: Here is the first of many chapters in Kal's story. I can't wait to see what I come up with in future chapters! Thanks for reading!

My father has always taught me not to back down and stick up for myself and others. For the most part, I do an okay job. But, when it comes to Butch DeLoria and his stupid gang, I freeze. I don't know why, I just know that it happens every time.

I'm walking down a Vault hallway, much later than I should be, trying not to get caught by any of the residents. It's clearly past my curfew but I don't care. I was entertaining myself, holed up in the storage room where we keep the old holotapes and books that most residents never see. I let myself into that room once a week using my 'superior' hacking skills. I can bypass almost any terminal or panel. I gather myself a nice stack of books from the hundreds to choose from, reading everything from history to science to fantasy and fiction. The books are very old, some older than the vault itself.

Presently, I am creeping back to my quarters to enjoy another concealed stash of books hidden in my small knapsack. The Vault lights are dimmed, making it harder to see where I am going. Everything blends together in the Vault, so it's easy to get lost. My Pip-Boy keeps me on track with the maps I've uploaded. I've taken to calling it Apollo, after the Greek god of knowledge, because it contains so much information I've compiled through my 'extensive' collection of books.

I round a corner, only one hallway away from my quarters. I jump as a hear a slight shuffle and the sound of something hitting the floor a little ways behind me. Then I hear a snicker and some angry whispering. I immediately know that it is Butch and his gang of Tunnel Snakes, Paul Hannon and Wally Mack.

Shit.

I speed up my pace, trying to fast-walk around the corner to safety. Before I can make it, a hand seizes me by my knapsack, spinning me around so fast I stumble into the wall.

"Where do you think you're going, Nosebleed?" Butch sneers as he turns me around.

Paul echoes Butch's question. "Yeah, Where ya goin', Nosebleed?" He places extra emphasis on my given nickname.

Butch punches Paul in the arm. "Shut up Hannon!" He grins as Paul yelps in slight pain.

"I'm just going back to my room, Butch," I stare at my boots, avoiding looking Butch in the eyes. I don't feel like getting punched tonight.

"It's past curfew," Butch states.

No dip, Sherlock. I think to myself before answering. "So? You're out past curfew too." I regret those words as soon as they leave my mouth. Boy, I'm just askin' for it tonight, aren't I?

"I'm a Tunnel Snake. Tunnel Snakes do what we want, when we want." Butch gives me a sarcastic grin and shoves me into the wall, breaking open my knapsack. My books spill out and slam onto the floor, making me wince at the noise.

"Butch! You're going to get us in trouble! You're makin' too much noise!" Wally looks around, clearly frightened.

"Aw, shut up Wally! You and Paul are bein' a bunch a sissies." Butch scowls at them and the two other Tunnel Snakes clamp their mouths shut. He reaches down for my stash of books, now in a mess at my feet. The first book he picks up is on Pre-War technology. "What the hell is this, Nosebleed?"

"A book, Butch. Just let me go back to my room, please… I'm tired and I don't want to get in trouble." I silently plead that he will end his interrogation of me soon.

"We've got a nerd here, boys. I say we show her what we do to weird nerds!" Butch gives me a wicked smile and begins to tear the pages of the book out. I stand frozen with shock, watching the pages flutter to the floor as Paul and Wally giggle like two school girls. Butch just grins all the while, tearing out each yellowed page and sprinkling them around me like flakes of dust that fall off the shelves in the storage rooms. I feel a tear run down my face.

Why can't I stand up to these jerks? I'm better than them. I think to myself, thoughts pounding through my head as I watch Butch drop the last of the pages. He motions to the other two boys and they turn to go, leaving me with my ruined knapsack and torn up book. I watch them in silence as I gather up the pages, carefully tucking them away into the book binding. I reach for the rest of my books, sullenly stacking them and carrying them back to my room. The door opens up with a slight whoosh, sending air whispering through my hair as I walk through. I reach my room and touch a hand to the control for the door, opening it and making my way over to my desk to set the books down.

I hate him.

I grab a roll of my coveted tape, some of the last left from the vault storage, and begin arranging the pages of the ruined book. Luckily Butch tore them right out at the spine, missing the fine printed words that dot the pages. Hours drag on as I finally get the last page back into place. The book is thicker now than it used to be from all the tape, but it is in good enough condition to read. I sigh, placing the book on the top of my stack and shoving the pile into a lockable drawer on the side of my desk. I climb into bed, a single tear staining my cheek, and drift off to sleep.

The next day I wake up and shower, dressing quickly so I'm not late for class. I hurry through my small living quarters, giving a quick kiss goodbye to my dad.

"Don't go too fast, honey! You'll leave a whirlwind in your wake!" My dad calls after me, smiling as I leave the room.

I reach the classroom before most of the other kids and take my seat in the second row, closest to Mr. Brotch's desk. He has written on his small chalkboard that our lesson today is on history, before the Great War. I get a little excited, hoping we go over some of the Pre-War technology that I noticed in my book while I was repairing it. Kids begin to filter in a little while after I do, taking their seats. Most of them sit far enough away from me, and a few that don't care sit to the seats next to me. I hear Butch come in with Wally and Paul. Unfortunatley, Butch picks a seat right behind me. I frown and take out my notebook, doodling to try and distract myself from the idiot seated behind me.

Amata walks in and sits down in the last empty desk right next to me. "Morning Kal! Did you sleep okay?" She smiles and I wonder to myself how she can be this cheery in the morning.

"No, not really." I look down at my book and then back at her. "Butch was harassing me as I was coming back from my book run." I sigh as Butch un-stealthily snickers to himself and kicks the back of my chair.

"I don't know how you put up with him, honestly Kal. He's a pain in everyone's ass." Amata's brow furrows in annoyance as Mr. Brotch finally walks in.

"Morning, class. As you can see, today's lesson is on Pre-War History. We'll be going over some of the things we covered the past few days and watching a holotape." Mr. Brotch stands at the front of the room, holotape in hand. The class begins whooping and cheering at the thought of watching a holotape instead of listening to dull lectures. "Now, now. Don't get too excited kids. This holotape is purely educational!" Mr. Brotch smiles as the class makes a resounding 'awwww'. He puts the holotape in the projector in the middle of the room and dims the lights.

Scratchy music beings filtering through the room and pictures of great planes and devices flash along the screen in a flickering black and white. I smile and put my chin in my hands, paying close attention. I can feel butch wiggling through his feet on the back of my chair, and I turn around to give him a nasty face. He sticks his tongue out and throws a small piece of paper at me. I bat it away and turn around, ignoring the incessant wiggling.

When the holotape is over, Mr. Brotch dismisses us for lunch and I stand from my chair. I stretch and look over my shoulder at Amata. She smiles and takes me by the arm as we walk through the hallways to the cafeteria.

"Aren't you excited for your birthday soon? I know it isn't for a couple months but I can hardly wait. I'm going to throw you the best party ever!" Amata has that look on her face that she always gets when scheming or planning something big.

"It won't be the greatest party ever if no one shows up but you or my dad. And besides, we have to take the stupid G.O.A.T a day after my birthday anyways." I find us a seat as we reach the cafeteria. The checkered floors are faded and scuffed, the vinyl booths old and cracking. Some of the other residents are gathered in here, taking their breaks from their Vault responsibilities. I look around for my father but I don't see him anywhere.

"Oh, be quiet you negative Nancy. People will come! You'll see. It will be so awesome they will be begging for an invite!" Amata leaves the booth to go grab us lunches from Andy at the counter. The Mr. Handy makes odd whirring noises as he retrieves two pre-made lunches from the shelves behind him.

"You better watch yourself Nosebleed… I'm comin' for ya." I jump in my seat as Butch whispers in my ear. He stalks off, leaving me confused as Amata returns with our food.

"What was that all about, Kal?" She asks.

"I've got no clue." I open up my lunch, rolling Butch's words around in my mind.

And I'll be ready for you this time, Butch.