Warning: Noctis/Prompto.

Chapter Three

It was before class Prompto had a club meeting.

So, Prompto came early today. He was still adjusting, but was already fond of his new school. It wasn't as prestigious as his old one, since none of the students were nobility or royalty. It was why he fit in more with the crowd, considering he was the epitome of the 'boy next door'.

"There you are," Alex smirked, jogging up to him, with two other members from their club in tow. "I wanted to formally introduce you to everyone in our club."

"I'd love to meet everyone," Prompto smiled, hugging his textbooks, rocking back and forth on his feet. "I hope they like me."

"I'm sure they will. We only accept serious gamers into our club. And I wouldn't have let you join, if I didn't think you were one of us."

"Well, I'm honored to be a part of your club."

"As club president, I'm glad you are."

"Thank you, Alex."

"Of course, I'd take a fellow Assassin's Creed and King's Knights enthusiast under my wing."

XOXO

He had lunch with Alex and a few other members from their club.

On his way to class, Prompto bumped into a girl. She was blond, her hair short and eyes green. He tried apologizing, but she laughed and handed him a piece of paper. It was invitation to another club on campus, though a club for fixing cars and motorcycles.

"Hi, I'm Cindy. You're the new kid everyone is talking about, right?" Cindy chuckled, rubbing smudge stains off of her cheeks, that were probably from working in an autoshop. "Well, I haven't seen your face around here before."

"Yeah, I'm Prompto. I just started here yesterday," Prompto chirped, hoping she wouldn't wonder why. "And I'd love to check your club out."

"That's great, then. We're having a workshop tomorrow."

"I'll see you there."

"I look forward to it. I got to go before I'm late, but I'll talk to you more tomorrow."

"Bye, Cindy."

"Later, Prompto."

XOXO

He walked alongside Alex to the courtyard. His new friend had to leave when a car came to pick him up. The boy waved goodbye and ran off.

In due time, Prompto saw his father pulling into the driveway. He sat in the backseat, with a small smile on his face. He was getting to know a lot of people at his new school, who all harbored different interests. He felt welcomed among his peers, not like at his previous school. He was more confident about approaching his fellow classmates now, but couldn't at his old school.

"How was your day?" Mr. Argentum asked, tapping the wheel, to the country song playing on the radio. "Did you make more friends, any crushes perhaps?"

"Yeah, I think the gaming club really likes me," Prompto admitted, laughing while recalling his club meeting in the morning, when Alex made everyone put their hoods up just to introduce him, like an initiation from Assassin Creed. "Oh, I met a girl named Cindy. She's really into cars."

"She sounds like a cool girl. When she's stranded on the road, I bet she won't ever need to call a mechanic."

"But I know I will."

"It's good to know a little about cars. You never know when you might need to change a tire or two."

"She's having a workshop tomorrow. I promised her I would come."

"That's great, son. You really are a social butterfly, but you blossom around the right people."

"Thanks, dad."

XOXO

His mother welcomed him home with a hug. He kissed her on the cheek and sat down at the dining table. A plate of spaghetti was placed in front of him soon enough.

In all honesty, Prompto was surprised his mother was still cooking. He thought that his family would go back to ordering pizza for dinner, but his parents were really trying to be supportive. He grabbed a fork and started eating, with his parents who were sitting across of him. He would have his freckled cheeks pinched occasionally, though he was accustomed to that by now.

"How is it?" Mrs. Argentum asked, leaning forward, chin resting on the palm of her hand. "Did I do good?"

"Of course," Prompto answered, nodding. "You did great, mom."

"I'm such a chef."

"I totally agree."

"I heard you made some new friends today."

"Yeah, I met a girl named Cindy. She's a mechanic and has her own club at school."

"That's wonderful, darling."

"And I'm going to attend one of her workshops tomorrow. Well, I promised her I would."

"You better keep your promise, young man."

"Don't worry, I will."

"That's my good boy."

XOXO

He finished eating dinner soon enough and went upstairs. His parents curled up on the couch together to watch a late-night television show.

As his dog barked, Prompto pet him on the head. He sat on his bed, with his homework spread out in front of him. He would throw a tennis ball into the hallway every now and then, his dog eagerly chasing after it. He was about to throw the ball again and farther this time, but his phone vibrated.

"Oh, no!" Prompto gulped, hesitantly reaching out, to see who was texting him. "Don't be Noct, please."

Noctis [7:12 PM]: You weren't at school again. I thought I would see you today. I was waiting for you to show up but you never did.

Noctis [7:15 PM]: I thought you might have been sick. I think that was wrong of me. You're such a good student, that you wouldn't miss school even if you were sick.

Noctis [7:20 PM]: We had a substitute teacher for homeroom today. She called out everyone's name, except for yours. Why aren't you on the class roster anymore?

Noctis [7:26 PM]: Did you change your schedule? Were you put into AP classes or something?

XOXO

He hated hurting Noctis. The prince was his best friend. It's just that the pressure of being the prince's friend was too much for him to handle.

After all, Prompto was being bullied for it. He was coming home bruised and crying nearly every day, that he couldn't keep up with his schoolwork anymore. He was a straight A student, with the potential to earn a scholarship and study abroad. His parents were only looking out for him, when they enrolled him into a different school.

"I'm sorry ..." Prompto sobbed, biting his lower lip, to muffle his voice. "I'm so sorry ..."

Noctis [7:31 PM]: I know you're smart, but why weren't you smart enough to tell me about it?

Noctis [7:35 PM]: I thought we don't keep secrets from each other.

Noctis [7:37 PM]: I even tell you confidential Citadel stuff.

Noctis [7:39 PM]: I trust you. It seems like you don't trust me, do you?

XOXO

He buried his face into a pillow. His husky whined and nestled up beside him on the bed. The dog could tell whenever he was sad or upset. It's just why they're a man's best friend.

Without hesitation, Prompto hugged his dog. It had been a gift from Noctis on his birthday, who had showed up on his doorstep and with a puppy in a basket. His parents couldn't refuse the prince's gift and let him keep the puppy, though his parents had grown fond of his canine friend soon enough. The puppy helped him cope while being bullied, especially because he hadn't told his parents about it at first.

Noctis [7:41 PM]: I'm the problem here, right?

Noctis [7:43 PM]: I can't read your mind, Prompto. If I did something wrong, then please tell me. So, I can make things right between us again.

Noctis [7:45 PM]: I don't like my best friend being mad at me. It sucks, okay.

Noctis [7:47 PM]: I really, really miss you! :(

A/N: What do you think? Leave me your thoughts.