Finding My Place ⚙️ Knot (a SOTUS fanfic)

vol.8: i n j u r e d

"I'm the poster child of denial,
there's nothing I can't hide.
I'm punching holes in walls because,
I let them build up way too long, sabotage.
There is no else to blame but the voices in my head."
- World War Me - Theory of a Deadman

⚙️

I cursed as I speed-walked down the sidewalk toward the school building, my bag clutched tightly in my hand to keep it in place while I hugged my manga to my chest. I was running late for class, somehow sleeping in way later than I should have. There were no other students around either, so I must be super super late. Crap, what if they don't let me into class?

Once inside the building, I started toward my classroom only to remember that I needed to get my books from my locker. With a groan, I turned on my heel and rushed in the opposite direction. Why did the lockers have to be so far away? I rushed up the stairs, nearly tripping over my own shoelace as I went but I managed to stay upright. When I looked up, I froze.

Standing at the lockers was Arthit, looking like a deer caught in headlights.

"Ah," I quickly clapped my hands together in front of me, bowing my head. "G-Good morning."

He nodded, clearing his throat. "Morning."

I stepped up to my locker to get my textbooks only to realize something. I glanced at Arthit again as he slammed the locker, sent me a glare, and then walked off. I waited until his footsteps faded away before I approached the locker he was at. I had never seen him over here before so I know that his locker isn't here, so whose locker was he at and why?

I looked at the name on the locker – it's Kong's. What if he planted something bad in his locker? I've seen several anime where the antagonist gets showed up by the protagonist so they plant something bad like drugs into the protag's locker to get them into trouble. Would Arthit really do something like that? How could I possibly ignore such a thing?

Looking around to make sure that I was alone, I tugged open Kong's locker. I wonder why they don't keep them locked. None of them have locks on them so anyone can open anyone's locker. In this case, I was grateful for it, but I didn't find what I expected to find. Sitting inside his locker was a fresh, unused nametag.

I closed the locker in confusion before returning to my own. That's the last thing I expected, I thought Arthit hated Kong, so why was he giving him a new nametag? Maybe he's not as cold as I thought he was. Shaking my head, I quickly gathered my things before slamming the locker and rushing down the stairs. I turned the corner and ran right into someone.

"Shit," I cursed, holding my nose. I have got to start paying more attention, jeez. "Sorry..." I glanced up, finding Knot standing there with an amused smile. I clapped my hands together and bowed my head. "G-Good morning..."

"Morning," he nodded, hands in the pockets of his purple shirt. "I'm surprised to see you here so early."

"Early?" My brow furrowed and I fumbled in my pocket for my phone. The time read 9:15 am and class started at 8:30.

"Your phone is wrong," he commented, tapping the screen before showing me his watch which said the time was 7:15.

How in the world did the clock on my phone get changed? Wait... Oak was the last person to use my phone! "That little brat... I'll kill him."

"Murder is against school rules," Knox teased, making my cheeks heat up.

"A-Ah, right..." I cleared my throat. "I should... get to class."

"Before you go," he held out his hand and I gave him a confused look. "Give me your notebook. I'll sign it."

"A-Are you sure?" I questioned, immediately digging into my back for the booklet. "Aren't you supposed to... make me do something embarrassing?"