The Faculty - Written for Fandom Empire Powerball

[prisca]

Title: He likes to keep his secrets
Character: Casey Connor, Zeke Tyler
Word Count: 431
Prompt: Secret
Rating: PG13

:::

„I don't get it!“ Casey rolled his eyes. „What's wrong with you? You are free to do what you want. You own a cool car and the most expensive computer. You are a popular guy, invited to the most famous parties in town. So, what else do you want?“

Zeke pulled his face. „You think this is enough for a happy life? Casey, I'm disappointed in you. Since when are you that shallow?“

„Shallow?“ The boy frowned. „I'm shallow because I point out what everyone thinks?“

„ I thought you would be smarter than everyone. Able to see through the shell.“

„What the hell are you talking about?“

„That my life is a fucking lie, Casey. My parents are not in Europe because of business; they are jetting around the world because this is what they want to do. They don't want to come home to spend some time with their son, not even when it is his eighteenth birthday.

It has been like that since I can remember. Nannies when I was too young to stay home alone, but since I turned fifteen...“ He paused and shrugged. „A good-filled bank account is all I get from them. And yes, I take advantage of it because it's all I have.

I play the wild boy who cares about nothing; I use fake IDs for the clubs in town; I spend the night with girls I barely know... All to avoid the silence in this fucking house which never was a home for me.“

Casey kept quiet for a while, looking concerned. „Shit,“ he finally murmured. „This sounds not fair.“

Zeke smirked. „No, it's not. But it is none of your business, so stop looking at me this way. If you start crying, I'm gonna kick you out of the garage. And that's the end of our teamwork.“

„I'm not crying!“ Casey blinked fiercely. „I am just saying, no parents should treat a child like this. And if you ever want to talk...“

„Casey, shut up!“

Blue eyes sparkled defiantly. „Why did you tell me when you don't want to talk about it?“

For a second, Zeke just stared at him, then he shrugged. „Must have been a weak moment. But I can tell you, it's over.“ He pointed at the high-tech computer on his desk. „Homework. Now. The earlier we start, the quicker we will finish. It's Friday afternoon, I don't know what your geeky plans are for tonight, but there is one of Delilah's famous parties, and I'm curious to find out what bitchy bitch comes up this time.“

The Faculty - Written for Fandom Empire Powerball

[prisca]

Title: The First Morning
Character: Casey Connor
Word Count: 449
Prompt: Morning
Rating: PG

:::

Casey opened his eyes when it was still dark outside. Only the dim light of a lamp in front of the window lit the room.

For a moment, he felt confused. This was not the familiar surroundings he was used to waking up every morning since he could remember: the small room under the roof, the walls covered with photos he had taken, his backpack for school ready beside the desk, the smell of pancakes coming from the kitchen downstairs.

The next moment, realization hit him, and his heart started to beat quicker. A room at the student hostel of MIT, the first night he had spent here. Still alone, his roommate was supposed to show up during the course of the day. Time to settle in a bit, to make his part of the room more familiar.

Casey felt the lump growing in his throat while his eyes wandered around, finally stopping at the photo of his parents he had taken last summer on the porch. It would never be like that again. He had left Herrington behind to start a new life in Boston. And yes, MIT was what he had always dreamed about, even if the chances of a full scholarship had never been big for a boy coming from a small town in Ohio. But he had made it. Now he was here, and he should feel happy hyper because of this chance.

Instead, he suddenly missed the narrowness of his tiny room, his parents, and even Herrington High, though it had never been easy for him at school. He stared at the small chamber at the end of the room, where his bags were stored. It would be so easy: put his stuff back into them and take the next train to Ohio. The city college in Columbus was not that bad. And his mom would be glad about his change of mind.

A knock at the door tore him out of his thoughts. „Hey, you are up already?“ The voice of the boy living next door. They had talked shortly yesterday evening when Casey moved into his new home. „We are going to Annie's milkbar for breakfast today to celebrate the start of the new college year. Wanna come with us? Annie makes the most delicious pancakes, you should try them.“

Casey smiled. No, he was sure Annie's pancakes wouldn't be as good as his mother's were, but he was hungry. Plus, none of the other students at Herrington High had ever asked him to hang around with them.

„That would be great, thanks,“ he answered, jumping out of bed, grabbing for a shirt and denim. „Just give me a moment!“