Let it never be said that Everett Harper didn't give people second chances. Throughout the next week, keeping in mind the tidbits of information Juliet had offered up on that traumatic first day, Everett had tried to be open-minded about his new roommates and associated neighbors and acquaintances. It hadn't been too terribly hard at first, a good night's sleep having settled his nerves at least a little bit making him slightly more patient and less likely to hide under his duvet when things went south. For the most part, it had worked. Even if he still avoided being within hugging distance of Gray(not that that actually worked, mind, but he did try), even if there were still notable pauses in the way that he spoke, hesitation clawing at his words, even if he had yet to speak to anyone outside of the little group that amassed around the Ender children, he tried and was mildly happy with the results. Juliet was a wonderful safe haven of a friend, sweet and understanding in a way Everett thought was only possible in books. Really, everyone seemed to be growing on him... Except for in one case; Wolfram.
The angel seemed Hell-bent(or Heaven-bent, possibly) on making Everett's life at Arcbell Academy miserable. There was the occasional death threat, pushing and shoving cleverly disguised as an accident due to cramped quarters, hidden insults... Normally that shouldn't be a problem. Everett had dealt with bullies before, surprise surprise, and all it took was figuring out their schedules and adjusting yours to the complete opposite. Except that wasn't possible because, well, roommates and the same social group pretty much ensured that neither boy was separated for long. The worst of it came when the two were alone, when Wolfram didn't have to worry about being chided or admonished(not that he ever really had to worry about it- he got away with just about everything without anyone seeming to even bat an eye).
It had been more mild at first, albeit excessively weird. If Everett hadn't known better, he could have sworn that in those first few days the pestering was more flirtatious than anything. Which was, of course, absolutely ridiculous, but he much preferred it to later in the week when Wolfram seemed to have randomly snapped and ramped up the torment to a, on a scale of one to ten, twelve. That was, when they actually interacted. When the (most likely not)flirtations had stopped, Wolfram had started vanishing, avoiding Everett altogether if at all possible. He hadn't even returned to their room the night before, apparently opting to stay with Jack(Everett always found it better not to ask about such things because, you know, it was personal).
It was the first day now, and they were all seated together for breakfast with more than enough time before the first class was to start. With Wolfram leaving in a huff, it left Everett in more of a cloud of anxiety than before. He really couldn't take it, anymore. The avoidance, the harsh insults, the absolute insanity of his roommate. It was like a breaking point because he had enough shit to deal with without adding a melodramatic jerk of an angel to the list.
"S- so, does anyone have Biology first class?"
Everett cast his schedule a cursory glance, not having been that involved in the conversation, but was pleasantly surprised to see the words "Biology" printed on the paper for his first period. Which made sense, of course. He and Romeo were in the same grade, after all, and some classes were shared among the species.
"I, um, I do. I guess we share first period. That- I'm glad." But, relief over knowing someone in his first class of his first year at a new school was swept away quickly by a single glance of Wolfram disappearing into their building. It didn't make sense, really, how irritated Everett right now. Wolfram had been avoiding him, after all. Isn't that what he had wanted? Well, yes, but not at the cost of Wolfram packing all of his insults into a harsh blow every time that they were around each other. It wasn't fair. He deserved an explanation, a reason for why the angel hated him so much. He'd dealt with it for a week, but not any longer.
"I- I need to get something. See you guys later." Before he could talk himself out of it, Everett was making his way towards their dorm building, posture decisive if not confident.
It didn't take long to catch up to Wolfram, or to find him really. The dorm was happily empty, everyone having left already for breakfast or to meet up with friends. It was now or never, and Everett wasn't quite sure how long his self-righteous rage would last.
"Wolfram," His voice almost echoed in the empty hall, or maybe that was just his imagination. "We need to talk. Now."