Dorm Lobby, Monday After Classes

[swerval_zero]

Zero set up camp at a card table with a hand-lettered sign on the front:

EVERYONE DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE!
Sign this petition to show you want Alec to stay
Get a discount on admission to my new movie!

He does not have hairy toes!

It's not a bribe, it's an incentive.

Oh, yeah, she also had a basket of lollipops for petition-signers.

Comments

[likethegun]

That got a genuine laugh out of Sam. "Do you want the full list, or the abridged version?"

[swerval_zero]

"Yes, please, I want to know what the squall you were thinking."

[likethegun]

"Ever since Alec got here, he's taken a personal pleasure in torturing me as much as possible, while still maintaining his 'I'm an innocent little kitty' routine with Dean," Sam explained. "What I was thinking is that not everyone has gotten to see the same side of Alec that I have, and people deserve to know what he's really like when he's not working his charm."

[swerval_zero]

Okay, no, this Zero hadn't known. "He tortured you? That's horrible! What did he do? Is it too traumatic to talk about? Why didn't you go to the principal about it??"

[likethegun]

As much as Sam wanted to lie and make Alec's actions sound worse than they had been, he couldn't bring himself to do it. "I don't mean physical torture, although I get the feeling there have been a few times where he would have tried to kick my ass if Dean hadn't intervened. I mean more in the way of mental stuff."

[swerval_zero]

Zero's righteous fury deflated. "Oh. Sam, that's called high school."

[likethegun]

"Gee, thanks Zero," Sam said sarcastically. "I'm glad you can take all of the hatred I've had directed towards me by Alec and sum it all up so nicely."

[swerval_zero]

"Get over yourself for five squalling minutes an' try to look at this like a sane person," Zero snapped. "Your brother is Alec's best friend, right, that's what this whole thing is about? Well, I read those files too, an' it sounds like Alec's never had a chance to figure out this 'friend' thing, or even this 'acting like a person' thing. So if he's bein' a dick to you, it's prolly because he's doing what he knows, defending what he's got, now he's finally got somethin' worth defending. You could have taken the high road, tried to be patient an' work with him an' help him learn how people who've gotten to be people do these things, but no, you tried to destroy his life. Way. To. Go."

[likethegun]

"I really, really wish people would stop calling Alec Dean's best friend," Sam muttered. "And he's had plenty of time to learn how to act like a human being. The fact that he hasn't learned yet? It means he doesn't want to, at least not where I'm concerned. And hey, it's not like I actually destroyed his life, judging from your petition. Maybe one of you can waste more time trying to turn him into something he's not."

[swerval_zero]

Now Zero was confused. "You mean he's not? And less than a year is plenty of time to learn all about the world and human interaction, huh?"

[likethegun]

"They are best friends, but it makes me feel sick to have to admit that. And less than a year is plenty of time to learn how to be a decent human being."

[swerval_zero]

"...Get over yourself," was all Zero could dredge up at that. "I feel sorry for you, Sam, I really do."

[likethegun]

Sam scowled as he started to stalk away. "Thanks Zero. But I don't need anyone to feel sorry for me."