Chapter Text
Viktor could barely keep his head propped up on his arm as he listened to Mrs. Ramsey droll on about physics. Normally, he would be more than engaged in lively discussions, but between school work, his assistant job, and now his newly picked up part-time job across the bridge, Viktor felt like he barely had any time to sleep.
“But that’s enough for today’s lesson,” said Mrs. Ramsey as she firmly closed her book, thus shocking Viktor awake. “I’m sure everyone is dying to know how they did on their test last week.”
The room was suddenly abuzz with chatter and noise as Mrs. Ramsey walked around with a stack of papers in her arms. As she passed each test out, a subsequent student either groaned at the score or merely nodded as they saw that they had passed. Viktor vaguely remembered the contents of the test, but what he remembers most is staying up all night to study for it the day before. He hoped his efforts were worth it as Mrs. Ramsey passed by his desk.
“Great work as always, Viktor,” she said with a small smile, placing his test face down on his table. Viktor carefully lifted the paper by its corner, taking a look at the red ink that was written underneath: 98 out of 100. Viktor's mouth quirked into a smile, before it was swiftly wiped away by the commotion occurring at the desk in front of him.
“And as usual, top of the class, Talis,” Mrs. Ramsey said as she gingerly handed the last test, face-up so Viktor could plainly see the score written in the corner: 99 out of 100.
“Woot-woot! Let’s go, class prez!” whooped the boy in the next seat over, jumping onto the broad shoulders of said ‘top of the class’ student. And that student was none other than Jayce Talis, revered Golden Boy of River Pilt High. Viktor just rolled his eyes.
“Ah, I knew I got that explanation wrong,” muttered Jayce, looking at the question he got incorrect on the test. Viktor couldn’t help but smirk, knowing that he got that question right. 0 Jayce,1 Viktor, he tallied in his mind. Though he supposed it didn’t matter, since Jayce still beat him by one point (but at least he didn’t get a perfect score, Viktor’s pride would be ruined otherwise).
As the bell rang, signifying the end of the class and the end of the day, Mrs. Ramsey called out, “Alright, next week we’ll be getting into pairs for the next assignment, which will be a project!” There was another chorus of groans as students left the classroom and into the halls, eager to leave campus as soon as possible.
And Viktor was just as eager, grabbing his bag and his cane, since he needed to make it across town to his new job.
“Ah— Viktor, wait—!” came a voice, belonging to none other than Jayce Talis, who for some reason was calling out to him. Viktor turned and his amber eyes briefly met Jayce’s hazel ones, as the taller boy pushed through the crowd to get to him. “Sorry, I just wanted to know what you got on Ramsey’s test.”
Viktor pouted. “Why? So you could brag to my face that you got the highest score again?” he said with as much venom in his tone as he could muster.
Jayce frowned for a moment before flashing a small smile. “No— I just got the theorem explanation wrong on question 6 and was wondering if you could explain it for me—”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t have time to tutor you, Talis. Don’t you have somewhere else to be?”
“Well, the Automatons don’t start practice ‘til next week, so I thought we could—”
“That was a rhetorical question.”
Viktor continued down the hall as Jayce stopped in his tracks, looking dumbfounded as Viktor glanced over his shoulder. He had to admit, a part of him felt bad, but Viktor had no place in Jayce’s world, a world full of popularity and grandeur. Even as a junior in high school, Viktor knew he had to stay focused if he wanted to get into Piltover Academy. Even if that meant leaving Golden Boy Jayce Talis behind, just as he did right now.
“W-well, see you on Monday, V!” Jayce called out for the final time, leaving a pang in Viktor’s chest to hear that accursed nickname again.
“Is a certain Golden Boy bothering you?” came a voice that slid next to him, making Viktor flinch. He whipped around and immediately felt relief as he saw who it was.
“Sky, thank god you’re here…” he said with a sigh.
Sky just chuckled beside him. “I knew I had to swoop in before Talis gave you another migraine.”
“He’s just like one; loudly ringing in my ears, always a throbbing pain in my skull, and I can’t seem to get rid of him.”
It was Sky’s turn to flash a small frown. “Y’know, you two were attached to the hip our freshman year, and now you avoid him like the plague. I get that you're mad, but shouldn't you try to—?”
Viktor stopped in the middle of the hallway, causing Sky and several other students to bump into each other at the sudden standstill. “Please, I do not want to hear another word about Talis for the rest of the day. Could you honor that for me at the very least?”
His friend just sighed. “Fine. I’ll bother you about something else: There’s a meeting for the Robotics Club today,” she said plainly.
Now that was cause for Viktor to look sheepish. “Shit… Is that today?”
“I just said it was.”
“I know, I know…” Viktor pinched at the bridge of his nose. “I’m sorry Sky, but until I get my schedule sorted out at work, I won’t be able to attend any meetings.”
“But you’re the team captain, we need your expertise on this stuff!” Sky protested. “We have two new freshmen— very promising, mind you— but they lack guidance. I can only do so much before they start blowing up the lab.”
“I’ll make it up to you, I promise,” Viktor replied, squeezing his cane tightly in frustration. How much had he lost track of the past few days? School was barely a few weeks in, and it already felt like everything was falling apart. “You are my co-captain. I trust you to lead the team while I’m away.”
Sky relented, heaving a sigh as she did so. “Fine. I’m just glad Claggor and Mylo seem to know the two newbies— Powder and Ekko, I think? But if they get too rowdy, you are paying for any campus or equipment damages, Mr. I-need-another-part-time-job.”
Viktor laughed, hoping to relieve some of the tension he was starting to feel in his bones. “Right, of course. Well, I’ll see you on Monday, Sky.”
She waved one last goodbye as she walked over to her school bus, the two of them now having made it to the front of the school. Viktor still had a bit more walking to do, since he needed to take the city bus out of Piltover and into Zaun just across the bridge. He would walk over to work, since River Pilt High was not too far from the city of Zaun itself (the high school was built just on the banks of the River Pilt, hence the name), but given his bad knee, any more walking could cause some unwanted strain on himself. Plus, he might as well take advantage of his bus pass.
As he rode the bus across the bridge, watching the sun shine above the coast on both sides, Viktor idly thought about Jayce. Just like a migraine, Viktor thought, always on my mind…
Since starting their junior year, Jayce has seemed to make a conscious effort to annoy the hell out of Viktor. They shared most classes together, much to Viktor’s dismay, which meant he couldn’t possibly avoid the boy even if he wanted to.
Not that he could even if he wasn’t in any of his classes. For some reason, their high school student body started worshipping Jayce; the nickname 'Golden Boy' was no joke. Every other poster around campus had his face on it, his dumb, smug face. Viktor half-contemplated ripping them down, but he knew only more would be put in his place, like some conceited poster-hydra.
Jayce and Viktor were just not the same. Even if they were 'attached to the hip' during their freshman year as Sky mentioned, it definitely did not hold true anymore. Not since the year prior. But that was an old wound that Viktor didn’t want to fester on anymore, and luckily he was torn away from such thoughts as the bus arrived at its stop. Viktor leapt off with a wave goodbye to the bus driver and walked down to his new workplace: the Book & Cranny.
The bell by the door rang as Viktor swung it open. “Welcome to the— oh, it’s just you,” came a booming voice from behind the counter.
“Hope I’m not late, Benzo,” said Viktor solemnly, round the corner of the counter and placing his belongings on the shelf.
“Ack, don’t cha’ worry about that, boy,” Benzo said as he slapped his hand on Viktor’s shoulder, causing the smaller boy to recoil a bit. “ ‘m just glad you can make the time to help out an old man like me, unlike a certain someone.” Benzo gestured to a picture frame hidden underneath the counter; it was of him and a younger boy smiling brightly at the camera.
A name suddenly popped into mind. “Ah yes, Ekko, right? He joined our robotics club on campus.”
Benzo chortled, the sound bouncing off the walls of the empty bookstore. “Aye, that does sound like my boy. You’re a part of that too, right?”
And now an opportunity made itself known. “Yes, and about that— See, every Friday, the Robotics Club has a meeting and as its team captain, I would need to attend to my duties—”
“Woah woah, hold on now, boy—” Benzo interrupted, cutting off Viktor’s rambling. “I see what you’re askin’ for, and I feel for ya, I really do, but I’m afraid I can’t give you Fridays off. It’s the busiest day for us with all the students comin’ by for books and study sessions ‘n such. I need an extra set of hands around the store, is what I’m sayin’.”
Viktor’s shoulders slumped, disappointed yet understanding. He just felt bad for letting his team down. The Robotics Club was his baby, something he started, he and—
No. No more thinking about him, he told himself. Viktor just dropped the subject entirely and got started with work, stocking shelves and helping out the occasional customer when needed.
And Benzo was right, Friday was the busiest day of the week for them. Viktor had only been working for a few days in the week and this was his first Friday, so the difference was staggering. While Book & Cranny was a smaller bookstore, there were a few tables up front where students and other customers could gather and work. And even though they had meager food and drink options, it was still enough to entice customers to stay longer. Viktor found himself cleaning tables and taking orders, something he didn’t realize he would be doing as part of his bookstore job.
Though Viktor supposed he couldn’t be too mad. It was nice to see a local bookstore have so much traffic. Benzo mentioned that a new book in a popular fantasy romance series just dropped today, which explained an extra influx of customers pouring in to buy a copy. Viktor had never heard of the series before, but if so many people were begging for a copy, maybe it wouldn’t hurt to read it.
By the time the day was almost over, Viktor was slumped over the counter, slowly nodding off as his eyelids threatened to droop closed. Then, the door swung open and the bell rang, snapping Viktor awake.
“Sorry, we’re closed— Oh! There ya are, my boy, thought you weren’t going to make it!” Benzo chuckled.
“I got a bit side tracked, but you know me, I wouldn’t miss this newest installment for anything,” came a preppy voice.
A preppy voice? Oh no.
Before he could fully register who walked in, Viktor immediately got up from the counter and ducked behind a bookshelf, earning him a confused side eye from Benzo. “Well, I saved the last limited edition hard copy for you, though other folks were clamorin’ for it,” Benzo said as the customer walked up to the counter.
From his position behind the bookshelf, Viktor could see the customer’s face from the side, and he felt his stomach dropped to the floor.
It was Jayce Talis.
Viktor swore that boy was stalking him at this point, but then he did a double take. Jayce was not wearing the same clothes as he did early today (not that Viktor was keeping track, of course, but it was vastly different). He was wearing some oversized sweater and beanie to match, even when it was barely brisk outside. He also had on these large glasses, which Viktor wasn’t even sure if they were prescription.
“Thanks, but you didn’t have to do that, Benzo,” Jayce replied, a small smile inching across his face.
“Bah, it’s the least I could do for a regular.” Benzo reached under the counter and revealed a book, the very same book that other customers were buying in droves the whole day. Odd, Viktor thought, because he could’ve sworn the main audience for that book were teenage girls.
Jayce’s eyes brightened upon seeing the book, and his smile grew wider, causing Viktor’s stomach to do an unnecessary amount of flips. “Oh, and did that comic I was asking about get back in stock…?” he asked.
“‘The Valorant Protocol?’ Yup! It’s just on the shelf over there.”
Benzo gestured further down the aisle, and Viktor had to quickly scamper out of sight as Jayce started to walk through the bookshelves, clearly familiar with the store. Just how often did Jayce visit this place? Why hadn’t it come up when the two of them were still friends? And why the hell was Jayce dressed like that?
He watched methodically as Jayce picked up a comic off the shelf, then he sauntered over to the corner where the store kept all its board game merchandise, taking something off its hook before walking back to the front counter.
“Another set of dice? Don’t cha’ have enough of these already?” Benzo asked with a laugh as he began ringing Jayce up.
“Yeah well, I’m starting up a new D&D campaign soon with some friends, and one of them didn’t have their own set so I decided to pick one up for them,” Jayce explained with a twinkle in his eye, the same sort of twinkle Viktor saw whenever Jayce talks about something he’s passionate about.
“Glad to hear it then. You have a great rest of the night, ya hear?”
“Thanks, and to you as well, Benzo!” Jayce waved the store owner goodbye before heading out, the bell ringing above the door signaling his departure. Viktor still couldn’t believe what he saw, his head still peering through an open gap in the shelf and watching through the front window as Jayce walked down the street.
Benzo looked over to where Viktor was perched between the shelves. “What is it then, kid? Do ya have a crush on the boy?” he asked innocently enough.
“What? No—! ” Viktor recoiled upwards, knocking his head straight into the shelf above him and causing a few books to fall to the floor. “He’s— I mean— I just know him from school, that’s all…” Viktor mused for a bit, remembering that Benzo had called Jayce ‘a regular.’ “Does Jay— he come here often?”
“Since he was a young lad, yes. Would often come here with his father— when he was still around, of course.”
It was an off-handed comment to Benzo, something that was so normal to him that he said it without even a second glance. But to Viktor, it left a sharp pang in his chest. Jayce adored his father, this much Viktor knew from how Jayce spoke of him, but it wasn’t often. Just how much was Jayce hiding from him this whole time? Maybe they weren’t as close as he thought they were.
“Enough of that— clean up your mess, boy!” Benzo scolded, and Viktor scurried off to pick up the books that scattered on the floor. As he helped Benzo close up shop for the day, Viktor processed all the information he gathered from that last encounter.
Fact 1: Jayce is seemingly a big fan of a fantasy romance series that is popular among teenage girls. Viktor might have to do more research on the specifics of this series to see how it’s telling about Jayce’s character.
Fact 2: Jayce plays Dungeons & Dragons, which is another piece of fantasy media that ties back to Fact 1. While this fact doesn’t hold much weight on its own, this and Fact 1 help Viktor to understand—
Fact 3: Jayce wore an extremely different wardrobe to the Book & Cranny, an outfit he did not wear earlier that day and that he seemingly prepared in anticipation for arriving at the bookstore. But why? Benzo made it seem like he was waiting for Jayce, expecting him to arrive earlier in the day. Early enough for other customers to see him, perhaps— and not just any other customers, other students.
It all started to click for Viktor.
Jayce wore a different outfit to disguise himself from other River Pilt High students, who wouldn’t recognize the Golden Boy without his styled hair, broad shoulders, and varsity hockey jacket. He disguised himself so that he could purchase a copy of a popular fantasy romance book alongside some accessories for a particularly nerdy tabletop game without being recognized. And by doing so, he protects the reputation he has of being the most perfect student in all of River Pilt High! That’s when Viktor finally came to his conclusion:
Jayce Talis is a loser.