In the Long Run

Life sucks

Evan Hansen walked down the hallway, emotionless.

Of course, this was no surprise because in order to be not emotionless, he would have to meet his soulmate. And Evan was convinced that he didn't have a soulmate.

I mean, who would like Evan? He was an angsty acorn. As people would always say, Evan was weird. He didn't talk to people, and they didn't try to talk to him. But that was because most people didn't know he existed. He was a ghost of a person, just fading in and out of places, never being seen. People might catch a glimpse of him somewhere, but when they turned to look, he wouldn't be there.

Such as now, when everyone in gym class was being chosen for dodge-ball teams. Everyone, except Evan, of course. Evan usually just hid in the bathroom for gym class, but today they were having the floors redone, so it was blocked.

Evan was picked last. The respective teams set up on either side of the court.

When the coach blew the whistle, balls started flying.

Naturally, about 15 balls decided to hit Evan all at once. he hit the ground. Evan saw balls fly over his head as he lay there, stunned. he gradually eased himself up, going slowly so he could avoid being hit by any other balls.

He got up and managed to only get hit by five balls on his way over to the bleachers. New record.

When he made it to the bleachers, he sat down heavily.

Eventually, he couldn't stand the laughing looks from the others at being the first one out, so he walked up to the coach.

"What do you want, Hansen?" He asked.

"Can I, uh, can i g-go to the, to the bathroom, c-coach?" Evan asked.

"Hurry up, Hansen. God, can't you control your bladder?" He asked, annoyed. Evan's face burned.

Embarrassment was as close to an emotion as he got. Now if only he could get the others, he might actually have something good in his life.

He turned and went through the door that led to the stairs. he trudged up the stairs, and when he made it to the top, he stopped in his tracks.

Ahead of him, he saw the Murpheys.

Zoe Murphy was a beautiful, smart, amazing person, and Evan had had a crush on her since he had arrived at this school seven years earlier. She had a bubbly personality, and her smile could light up the room.

Connor Murphy, her older brother, was an... interesting person. There were more rumors about him in this school than actual facts about him.

Their whole family was beautiful and dirty rich. Larry and Cynthia Murphy both had jobs that paid super well.

Even, on the other hand, was not rich. By any means. He and his mom, Heidi Hansen, lived alone in the suburbs of their town.

Heidi worked at the hospital, took classes at night, and was gone a lot of the time. But Evan didn't mind. he was accustomed to taking care of himself. His dad had left them when Evan was young. It had torn up his mom. Evan didn't feel anything towards his dad, as much as he wanted to. If he ever had the chance to see his dad again, he didn't know what he would do.

Evan continued walking forward when he was aware that if someone saw him just standing there, staring at the Murpheys, someone might call him weirder than he already was, and he didn't need that.

He walked past them in the hall, and Zoe accidentally turned and ran into him.

"Oh! I am so, so sorry!" Zoe said, reaching down to help him up. She took his hand and pulled him to his feet. "Are you ok, ...?" She trailed off, not knowing his name.

"E-Evan. Evan H-Hansen." He stuttered.

"Sorry, Evan. Are you ok?"

"Y-yeah. I'm, I'm fine." He said. His already uncontrollable stuttering became a nightmare in front of Zoe.

"Who's this?" Larry Murphy said, coming up next to Zoe.

Zoe turned to her father, and only then did Evan realize that Zoe was still holding his hand. She didn't let go, however, and instead laced her fingers with his.

"Dad, this is my friend, Evan." Friend? What is she talking about? "Nice to meet you, Evan." Larry said, walking away.

"Sup Zoe. Hansen." Connor said, coming up to them.

"How d-do, uh, how do you k-know m-my name?" Evan asked meekly. He was really, really confused.

"You're the kid in the back of the class that never says anything and always manages to disappear as if by magic. Yeah, i know you." Connor said.

"Oh." Evan said.

"So, Evan, what class are you escaping from?" Zoe asked.

Evan was stunned at how familiar the Murpheys were around him at literally meeting him two minutes ago.

"Gym." Evan said.

"Good class to skip." Zoe said.

"Uh, thanks." Evan said.

"Well, we got to go. See you, Evan." Zoe said, releasing his hand and waving before walking away.

He stared after them, thoroughly confused. he had a feeling that his life just got way more complicated.