The New KISS High School

Ch 27: Bitter (Paul)

"This is so humiliating," I muttered, leaning on my crutches. "It's fine, no one cares. People know you tore your MCL," Gene said, handing me my backpack. "Still. This sucks," I said. "I know. But it's only for a few weeks. Besides, you already stayed out longer than you had to," he teased, but I just rolled my eyes. "I didn't want to go back the week after, so sue me. I got caught up on my work just fine." "I know, I know," he said, ruffling my hair. "Still missed you at school though." My heart melted and I gave him a small smile. "Glad to know I've been missed," I said. "Of course you have," he said, clapping me on the back and walking off as I did my best to follow him on my crutches. 

I hated being back at school and having to maneuver around on crutches, but Gene at least was willing to walk at half his usual pace so I didn't lag too far behind. I sat next to him at the benches at lunch, letting out a sigh and setting down my crutches. "Where's your lunch? You forget it?" Gene asked. "Huh? Oh, no. I'm not supposed to eat yet, I'm doing intermittent fasting," I said, turning to my phone as I watched Gene's brow furrow out of the corner of my eye. "I thought you were doing keto." "Nah, that was last month. That one wasn't working how I wanted it to." "I don't see why you keep doing all these diets. You look good, you don't need them," he said after a pause. "Easy for you to say," I muttered.

It was easy for him. Good old Gene, who couldn't care less about his appearance and whose looks reflected that, and yet he pulled twice the girls I did at least, and judging by the looks I had caught Eric giving him, it was more than just girls. Hell, even the looks I had caught myself given him were proof enough, not to mention the whole incident with Bruce. But he had been asked to forget that that happened, just like I had asked him to forget that I kissed him, and both times, like the sweetheart he was, he had done just that. 

It was almost annoying how much I liked him, especially now that I had shot my shot and been so gently rejected it almost hurt worse than if he had laughed at me. And yet here I was, still jealous of his girlfriend, some chick I had never even actually met. Gene nudging me in the ribs snapped me out of it and I looked at him in surprise as he handed me half a sandwich. "I told you--" "I don't fucking care. Eat some lunch," he said. "But--" "Stan. Eat the damn sandwich." Biting back a sigh, I took it from him, trying to hide how grateful I was for a bite of food. I knew if he figured out how hungry I was he'd be on my case even more about eating.

I sat in the passenger seat of his car as he drove me home once school had finally ended, staring out the window. "So how's your leg feeling?" Gene asked after a pause. "Huh? Oh, it's fine. Still hurts, but no more than usual," I said. Nodding, he pulled into my driveway, taking my books for me and holding open the door for good measure. I walked inside, letting out a sigh and dropping my backpack on the table. "Alright I'll see you tomorrow," I said, stretching with a wince.

"Oh, I can stay a bit longer. I don't have work for two hours," he said, walking to the kitchen. I hobbled after him, watching as he set to work making two sandwiches and sliding one of the plates toward me. I let out a sigh but he shook his head. "Don't protest, just eat it. I know you're hungry, and I also know you're not eating enough." "It's called a diet," I muttered, and his mouth pressed into a thin line. "You don't need to diet. You're a good looking guy," he said, taking a bite of the sandwich he made himself.

Despite my irritation, I was also flattered at the gesture, and ate the sandwich a little more eagerly than I would've liked myself to. "Hey, you've got a piano, right?" Gene asked abruptly. "Huh? Oh, yeah. Why?" I asked, giving him a confused look. 

His face went pink and he ran a hand through his hair. "Can I run something by you? I-I wrote a song for my girlfriend but before I play it for her I wanna make sure it's not stupid. The lyrics are kinda based on like an inside joke between us, 'cause she always teases me about my exes and stuff and I always tell her to just forget about them and remember me, you know?" "I mean I don't know since I'm not your girlfriend but sure. You wanna go play it for me?" I asked.

He nodded, face getting redder. "Yeah if you wouldn't mind," he mumbled, sliding off my bed and walking to the living room. I trailed after him slowly, sitting on the couch and waiting as he sat in front of the piano, taking a deep breath and pressing a few keys almost absentmindedly before he began to play.

"Leeta forget her, please remember me, now,
Leeta forget her, please remember me, now
I used to love her, do you remember?
Leeta, will you know?"

I felt a wave of envy bubble up inside of me as he sang. It was a beautiful song, played shockingly well on the piano, and even though he only repeated the first four lines his voice was soft and almost mournful, brimming with love as he sang to his girlfriend. I hated myself for being resentful, for being bitter and jealous that he was singing a song to his girlfriend as opposed to me, for being angry that he was happily in love.

He trailed off, dropping his hands from the keys before turning to us, face a lot redder now. "So yeah. That's it," he said with a sheepish shrug. "Um...what do you think?" I nodded, trying to shove away the ugly feeling inside me. "It was nice. You sounded really good singing," I said. He gave me an eager smile. "You think so?!" I returned his smile with a lot of difficulty, nodding. "Yeah, I'm sure she'll love it." 

"Thanks, that's high praise coming from you," he said, before rising to his feet, shutting the piano. "I've gotta head out though, I'll see you tomorrow morning," he said, patting me on the shoulder and walking out the door. "Yeah see you then!" I called after him, before scowling at the piano, wishing I could just be happy for him.