Karl Jacobs
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I'm sitting in the car with Sapnap, and it's nice. Imogen is in the back but she's barely said a word so it feels like she isn't even there. It's peaceful, reminds me of how Sapnap and I used to hang out before Harmony was around. But now i'm sitting here between Sapnap and my fifth grade bully that has apparently forgotten me, and that peacefulness has disappeared. Sapnap has barely said a word to anyone, and the few times he has he was only talking to Harmony. I like to think that Sapnap is comfortable enough with me to tell me when he's upset, but right now i'm learning that he isn't. But I really shouldn't assume that because he's quiet, he's upset.
"Karl, you were the one to fall off the bleachers that one time right?" Aaron, my old bully, asks.
"Yea" I nod, avoiding eye contact while everyone bursts into laughter. I wasn't having the best day, Sapnap hadn't spoken to me all day because he was focused on his big game. While I was watching him play I got a call from my dad demanding me to get home, so I was rushing down the stairs and as I got to the bottom someone was pushed into me and I flew off the edge. I didn't get hurt physically, but it did hurt when everyone just laughed at me. I feel like if I wasn't rushing to get home to my dad then I would've found it funny, but I don't so I don't enjoy sitting here getting laughed at.
"You're funny Karl, I don't get why you don't hang out with us" Harmony looks over at me with a smile, that same smile I wish I could have.
"I'm never invited" I shrug and she frowns, looking at Sapnap who is looking down at his phone. I hear her whisper something to him but it's so soft I can't make out what she's saying.
"I'll invite you" I look at Aaron, trying to forget all the things he used to say to me in fifth grade. "I'm having a party on Saturday, Nick is going, you should join".
I just nod my head and excuse myself from the table. I walk into the bathroom where it is complete silence. I need silence. I usually hate being alone with my thoughts in silence, but right now I feel like I need it. That was the first time I even spoke this afternoon and i'm already overwhelmed. If we were in a cliche movie then that table I was just sitting at would've been considered the "popular" group. I don't belong there, i'm the quiet kid in the corner with one friend. And that one friend is Sapnap, I truly don't understand how he's so calm while being around that group of people. There's always so much going on, I can barely keep up. Sapnap and I have always been friends, i've never seen him hang out with this kind of group before, of course he has his football friends but he doesn't go out of his way to hang out with them like he is with this group.
"Karl?" My head snaps up and I see Sapnap walk into the bathroom. "You good?"
"I'm good" I nod a bit too fast and make myself dizzy. "Are you?"
"I kinda just want to leave" he shrugs. "Did you want to stay-"
"No" he smiles softly, trying to hold back a laugh. "No offence or anything, it's just a bit much".
"I know, it just takes time to adjust to them. I don't expect you to hang out with them or anything, we're still going to be friends even if you don't want to be around them" he tilts his head slightly and I just nod, suddenly remembering why I began having new feelings for him. I guess the bar really is on the floor since i'm getting butterflies after being put in the friendzone.
I follow Sapnap out of the bathrooms, we say goodbye to everyone and Imogen informs us that she's going home with Harmony so Sapnap doesn't have to worry about driving her home. Aaron passes me his phone with Snapchat open and I look at Sapnap for help but he's just saying bye to Harmony. I hesitate before entering my name and adding myself. I really wish I had the strength to just say no to him, but I can't. We finally make our way out to the car, Sapnap plugs his phone in and plays our shared playlist. The song 'Hey There Delilah' comes on and we both softly sing it as he drives away.
"Do you wanna hang out for a bit?" he asks as we approach a red light.
"I thought you just wanted to go home" I frown.
"No, I want to be out but I hate Aaron and Kendall" I see him make a face that I can't really read. "I enjoy Harmony's company, but I hate her friends. They're annoying, i'm shocked you even agreed to hanging out with them".
"I only agreed because of you" I look out the window and notice some storm clouds making their way over. "I'll hang out for a bit".
"Is it alright if we go to your place? You have a switch and i've really been wanting to play Mario Kart lately" I giggle and he already knows that means it's okay. Sapnap isn't the best at Mario Kart, he only plays it at my house because he always baby rages over the smallest things. He won't even play it at parties, only at my place in my room.
Sapnap parks his car out the front and we both get out. I walk in first to check to see if my parents are arguing or not, I always have to check before I let anyone in. I give him a nod and we both make our way inside. I walk into the kitchen to see mum at the table doing some work so I decide not to bother her. We make our way to my room, I kick my shoes off and Sapnap follows. He falls onto my beanbag, already holding the red controller for the switch. I set up the TV and turn my fairy lights on before sitting down with him to play. We don't even have to talk to enjoy each others company, that's one thing i've always liked about Sapnap, he talks when he wants but most of the time he's just quiet and observes.
"Karl! You hit me with a red shell!" I lied. He's not quiet at all.
YOU ARE READING
Sweater Weather - Karlnap (au)
Fanfiction"Karl" he says softly, making me turn to face him. "Do you ever feel different?" he asks, without looking at me. "Different in what way?" he turns to me, looking me in the eyes.
