City full of Empty People

5

𝙹𝙰𝚂𝚈𝚁𝙰 𝙱𝙰𝙽𝙺𝚂

School was almost over, last period of the day was PE.

"Sooo, did you see the new guy?" Neo asked concerned while snatching the juice box out of my hand and taking a sip. Not cool.

"It would've been hard not to since he was sitting next to me." I replied annoyed. I really liked that juice box.

"Right..." Neo kept his gaze on me, taking another sip. I took the juice box back only to realize it was empty. Urgh.

"Why are you asking such an obvious question?" My voice got louder since the cafeteria noises worsened. I removed the strand of hair in my face and took a bite of my sandwich.

"Whatcha think of him?" He lowered his voice, suddenly as if really wanting to know my opinion.

"I don't know." I mumbled.

"Oh c'mon Jaz, give me something." I didn't like his whining. Why did he care anyway? It's not like Rhett was the first new guy. Although it seemed pretty strange he transferred in the middle of the school year. I couldn't help but think about the reason.

Did he get kicked out of his old school? He seemed like the guy to get in trouble easily.

"You want to know what I think?" I let go of the fork to give him my attention and look him in the eyes, blinking.
"I think he's an asshole." I smiled. I wasn't a person who was quick to judge. But this new guy, he didn't give me another choice.

Neo's gaze wandered behind me, his eyes instantly widened.

"Who you calling an asshole?" A deep voice asked behind me. Demanding, but also seductive.

Rhett.

I recognized his voice immediately even though I had only heard it once, really.

He was so close, I could feel his breath in my neck. Probably leaning forward. Shithead.

I turned around only to realize he was closer than I thought. Too close. Our faces almost touched.

I was right, he was leaning forward, his hands stretched out on my chair, almost touching my waist. He looked down at me.

I couldn't stop looking at his dark eyes as they wandered down to my lips and slowly up again.

I cleared my throat.

"You." I managed to say somewhat confidently, thank God.

He gave me a weak devilish smile as his gaze wandered to Neo, who was sitting right in front of me.

"You should start training your lap dog." His eyes rested on mine again as he continued talking with a raspy voice.
"That attitude won't do her any good."

What did he just say?

I opened my mouth to somehow put him in his place, but he had already stood up straight and left, making his way out of the cafeteria.

I felt my face turn red again, because of him. But this time it was out of rage.

Neo just sat there not saying a word until now.

"Who the hell does this guy think he is?" He stood up, probably wanting to follow him or whatever.

"Stop." I grabbed his arm.
"Just ignore him."

"Didn't you hear what he just said?!" He sounded as angry as I was, but I didn't want any trouble and I certainly did not want him to get in any.

"I know. He's a douchebag. It's in their nature."
My hand was still on his arm and I could sense him already calming down as he sat back in his place.
"Trust me, it's best to just ignore him."

"I could've beat him, you know."

"I'm sure you could've." I laughed and let go of his arm.

"Anyways, are you going to Chase's Party tonight?" Neo asked curiously.

"I wasn't planning on going. You know, party's are not really my cup of tea, besides he's having one every week."

Chase was the most popular guy in school, every girl obsessed over him. His parents were almost always out of town. One thing led to another and now he had a reputation as a manwhore.

"Yeah, but they say this one's bigger. C'mon Jaz, it'll be fun." He pleaded.

"Reading my book is fun. Not watching a bunch of idiots get drunk and make a fool of themselves."

"Are you calling me an idiot?" He grinned, leaning forward.

"You know you are." I smiled as I pushed his head back again.

"Be my date." He winked. Not the flirting again.

"I don't think so." I smiled nervously, shifting in my seat as I looked around the cafeteria.

"Who are you looking for?" Neo started looking around too.

"What? No one." I guess, deep inside I was kind of looking for someone. So stupid.

"You're weird, and you're coming to the party tonight. I'm picking you up at 9." Neo got up.

"That's so late." I whined.

"What are you, 90?" He looked me up and down.
"Looking good for the age Jaz, I gotta admit." He grinned again.

"I hope you trip on your way out." I said as I left the cafeteria and made my way to last period.

-

I had hoped coach would only make us run today, but I was wrong. Today's lesson was all about fighting.

They started teaching it in all schools after the war the Novak and the Oswin fought. The Great War. It was seen as necessary since, for a long time, they believed no one was safe.

I knew it was only at school, but it still made my heart race everytime I heard we were going to fight. I knew a thing or two about it, but I still lacked the practical use of it.

In other words, I kind of sucked.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, gather around." Coach waited until everyone had gathered.

"I am going to assign each and every one of you a partner. Today, I don't care what fighting technique you will be using. What I do care about, is that you give it your best shot. Understood?" Everyone nodded.

I just blankly stared at him and did not move since I stood in the back and he could not see me anyway.

He started assigning the partners. I couldn't help but get nervous as everyone left to start practicing, but I hadn't got a partner yet... and neither did Rhett.

"The last ones are Jasyra and Chase." Coach closed his folder.

Oh thank God.

Chase wasn't the best choice either, but everyone was better than Rhett.

"I don't have a partner." Rhett's deep voice echoed through the gym.

"Oh, that's right Mr. Williams. Looks like you're not on my list yet, I apologize for the inconvenience." He opened up his folder again.
"Please join Jasyra and Chase. You guys will form a group of three."

Shit. Please God, no.

Chase and I had chosen a place to settle.

"You coming to the part tonight?" Chase asked while slightly touching my arm.

"I guess so." I carefully pulled away from him.

"Great, looking forward to it. Bring a bikini. Oh and don't forget to wear something short." He winked at me.

Why was everyone so obsessed with him? He was just another douchebag. A hot douche bag, unfortunately. I sighed.

Rhett joined us on our mat, still coming closer.

Chase was about to say something as Rhett suddenly grabbed me by the throat and used all of his strength to roughly push me to the ground.