A Mortal Fool

Captain

Back in Black plays loudly as I slide in, updating the chapter.

Asher

I angrily slammed the door closed to my room, feeling a bit of paint chip off and land next to me. I ignored it, and I ignored the warning call of my parents. Why, why, why?? I was right, I knew it! But that didn't matter, because that stupid Percy had everyone on his side.

A few hours earlier...

The day had gone better than normal. Sure, Percy and his friends shot me weird looks, and I did have to sit without my friends during lunch today.

"Sorry Asher, maybe next time." Jordan and Kayla had said, before picking up their things and rushing to Percy, Annabeth, and their group. They didn't look at me for the rest of lunch. I shot them long glances, willing them to look at me. They didn't, too engrossed in whatever conversation they were having.

But it was fine. Because today was the day. Today was the day I got swim captain. I knew it. I could feel it in my bones.

A girl plunked her things down from across from me, taking her sandwich out of a brown paper bag. I glanced at her, confused. She looked up from her eating, raising her eyebrows.

"You need anything?" She asked, visibly confused. I shook my head. "Then stop staring at me. It's creepy."

"Right, um, sorry about that..." I muttered, staring down at my pasta. It didn't seem as appetizing anymore, but I shoveled it down anyway.

The girl sighed slightly. "What's your name?" She asked, sounding slightly obligated to do so.

"...Asher. Yours?" I asked, surprised.

"Arini. Call me Ari, if you like." She responded. She took a sip out of her water bottle, her dark eyes half-glaring at me. "What are your pronouns?" She asked, sounding curious for the first time.

"My... pronouns?" I asked.

She sighed. "Yes, your pronouns." She sounded like she had to say this a lot. "Do you use he/him? She/her? They/them? Neopronouns?"

"Um... he/him?" I said hesitantly.

"Cool. I use she/her and they/them. And yes, they are proper pronouns, and it is proper grammar for people to use they/them for a single person. I can give proof if you want."

"I don't- I don't really- That won't be necessary." I stammered.

"Good." She said, blowing a bit of her short, dark, hair out of her face. She leaned forward slightly, resting her warm brown arms on the table. "So, your friends ditched you?"

My mood soured instantly. I nodded, glancing at Kayla and Jordan's backs. "What about you?" I asked.

"They're over there." She responded, pointing to the table where they sat without hesitation.

"Why aren't you sitting with them?" I asked, confused.

"I felt bad for you, so here I am. You wanna sit with us?" They asked. I nodded. "Alright, lets go." She got up, bringing her food over to the table with her friends. I followed her, awkwardly placing my stuff down on an empty spot. "Everyone, this is Asher. Asher, these are the idiots that I have the misfortune to be friends with."

A person with choppy green and black hair nudged Arini. "Come on, you know you love us." Arini rolled her eyes, tossing an M&M at them. The green haired person caught it in their mouth, and introduced themselves as Moon. One by one, they went around the circle. Morgan was a blonde girl with brown eyes that sparkled, and a never-ending set of jokes. Preet was a dark haired Indian boy that had a gentle smile and strong looking hands. Emery was a redhead with bright green eyes. She immediately informed me that she was genderfluid, and wore bracelets to assist everyone.