Because of You

He was the carefree guy most people were naturally attracted to. He was good at making friends, always had been. Later in life he knew that had probably contributed to his cockiness in youth. When everyone wants to be your pall it's easy to pick and choose who you hang out with. Girls giggled when he winked at them, they blushed when he cruised by them in the camass halls, he charmed his teachers, and he won over his enemies with a smile and a joke. Some of the charm was in his name, the rest was in his strong, handsome build, winning grin, and go with the flow attitude 'cause it'll all work out was like light in the dark.

What he didn't realize was that as brightly as he shone, he could also easily burn people without knowing it. He could be an inconsiderate jerk sometimes, and now was one of the times. It had seemed inconsequential, an action without repercussions. For Peat's sake, he had bumped the scrawny monster; he'd been in a hurry. Granted, Johnny had called the monster a geeky wimp who didn't belong on a scare flood, and he had laughed, but he hadn't said it! At worst he was an accomplice.

So why did he feel so bad?

It was the sound that had wormed from the monster's throat, he decided. A cross between a whimper and a sob. The furry monster had turned around to tell him to lighten up, but the look on the lizard's face was heart wrenching. Tears were welling up in his emerald eyes behind those thick glasses lenses, his arms and tail were coiled around his lithe body protectively, as if nursing a painful wound. Sully felt a stab of guilt and held back as the fraternity continued on uncaringly, howling and laughing. The lizard that hung around Mike squeaked and suddenly went invisible, his glasses hovering in the air. Sullivan sighed and rubbed the back of his head.

"Look, I'm sorry. Here," he moved forward and gathered his fallen materials into a neat pile. Randall hesitantly came back into sight, wiping furiously at his tears. He snatched his stuff from Sully's hands and held it close to him. James stood there awkwardly, not knowing what to do. He'd already apologized. In the end the slighter boy spoke and he didn't have to decide on what to say.

"Why do you insist on making my life miserable?" his voice wavered and a few tears spilled over.

"What do you mean, I don't even know you." Sully said in confusion. Randall's fronds became erect with anger.

"Maybe not, but you've hurt me." The blue monster was about to ask and he went on. "You remember the party the second day of school? I was there, trying to make a good impression so that for once in my life people would like me, but no! You showed up," he hissed, slithering up to him and sticking an accusing finger against his chest. "I was talking to some monsters, just hanging out, not bothering anyone, when you ran in chasing that pig, and pushed me face down into my cupcakes, you made me look like a fool!" he was hysterical now, screeching and crying freely. "For once no one had a reason to hate me, but along you came chasing a damn pig and now the bullies have a something new to fixate on. It's not like I didn't have a list before! I'm shy, nerdy, I've never had a real date, I can't really control my invisibly or skin patterns. I wear glasses, I need an inhaler! And now they have this! Frosting face! All because you had nothing better to do that capture some stupid animal!" Randall's voice cracked at the end of his rant and he curled into himself even more.

Sully squinted and realized that his purple skin was darkly discolored. He had been nursing a wound, he realized. He tentatively reached for one set of arms and gently tugged the hands apart so he could see. What he saw made his eyes widen; the bruise was bad. Deep, tender, and fresh. Something the lizard had said flashed through his mind. And now the bullies have a something new to fixate on. Had people been… abusing this kid? Because of something he had inadvertently done? A wave of horrible guilt crashed over him and his throat swelled. Randall was glaring at him, all of his arms crossed as he awaited a response.

"I'm sorry," Sully said, baritone thick with remorse. Randall's gaze softened and his shoulders slumped in defeat.

"Well, if it hadn't been you, they would have found something else. They always do…"

Sully looked at the other monsters frail form and knelt, wrapping his arms around him, as thought trying to keep him from breaking. They stayed for that for a few moments, whatever he'd been in a hurry to do forgotten and unimportant. The other scare major mumbled something into his fur as he nuzzled his chest.

"What?"

"Randall, my names Randall." He repeated.

"Oh, I'm Sully, James P. Sullivan."

"I know," Randall said simply and melted into his embrace again, hands grabbing fistfuls of blue fur tightly.

"Hey, looks like Sulivan's got a new best friend!" some idiot yelled.

Sully perked up.

"Hey, Randall," he said, pushing the monster back. "Why don't you start hanging out with me? No one will bully you when you're my pal."

"R-really? You'd do that for me?"

I kind of have to, I did this to you, Sully thought.

"Sure," he said, eagerly nodding. Randall suddenly became suspicious.

"Do you mean just public appearances or real friends? I don't need any more people being nice to me and pretending they like me just because they feel sorry for me."

Sullivan internally sighed. "Real friends, eat lunch together, walk to class together, study together, the whole shebang."

Randall's face was so joyful it was like Christmas had come early and Santa had gotten him everything on his list. Sully winced. Had this guy ever had a friend, ever?

A smaller by comparison body tackled him in a hug. "This'll be so great!" he cheered, snuggling into Sully. "A real friend, a best friend!" he gasped. "I have a real popular best friend. Can you imagine? Me and you! Can I call you Sully?" His arms hugged him tightly and the wide, stupid grin on his face made James chuckle, gently prying the reptile from his body.

"Hey, I know I'm large, furry, and generally teddy bear like, but let's cut down on the hugs. We're friends, not a couple."

"Okay!" Randall agreed, hands clasping together with barely contained excitement.

"And yeah, you can call me Sully. Do you have a nickname?"

"Heck yeah! It's Rand…y—uh, no, actually I prefer Randall."

"Okay, cool."

Randall beamed, he was cool. A thought dawned on him.

"We're late for class!" he cried, dropping to the ground to grab his text books. Sully smacked his head, that's what he'd been doing.

"Come on," he grunted, scooping Randall up and charging across camass, noticing with some concern that the lizard weighed hardly anything. When they were at the classroom he set Randall to his feet. "Well, this is a good start to our friendship, making a big entrance."

They burst through the doors and Sully laid on the charm, winking at the girls and waving to some of the other people, calling them by name.

"Nice of you to grace us with your presence, Sullivan." Mr. Knight said sarcastically. "And you…" he trailed off, eyes narrowed on Randall with vague recognition. His fronds drooped.

"Randall," he murmured, eyes on the floor.

"Yup," James said loudly, "My new buddy, Randall."

The green ball looked at them disbelievingly. Randall smiled sheepishly and waved, unconsciously stepping closer to Sully.

The two found a pair of empty seats next to each other and sat, ignoring the murmurs and questioning glances from the crowd of students. Randall looked uneasy by the amount of attention on him and fought to stay visible, clenching his pencil.

"Pst, relax, it's a good thing." Sully assured. He smiled gratefully and began scribbling notes, listening intently to the lecture.

A pop quiz was passed out and Randall scanned the paper closely. Sully glanced at it and rolled his eyes and scribbled his name, growing uneasy when he started reading the questions. Randall nudged his arm and switched papers with him, working on his own while Sully stared at the page with his name written on the top, questions fully answered. Maybe this wouldn't be so terrible.

When class ended and the students filed Randall received a number of shouted greetings.

"Hey, Randy!"

"Sup, Boggs?"

"Yo, wanna play Frisbee Ran-man?"

"R-a-handy, my man!"

Was this was popularity felt like? Randall swayed on his feet, light headed from the abrupt social attention—the nice attention. A heavy hand landed on his shoulder.

"You okay?" his new friend asked.

"Y-yeah, never better."

Disclaimer, I do not own Monsters University or any of the characters. I love Randall though. Review if you so desire.