Ending Paradise

School Shakedowns

Today is a half-day of school and both Kendra and Charlie decided to skip due to overdoing it yesterday.

I sat in the gardens waiting for the bell to ring. My class let out early so I had nothing to do at the moment but didn't exactly feel like practicing.

Watching the people enter and leave with their friends made me feel a bit more alone. Although it's nothing to pout over, it still hurts regardless of how I rationalize it. 

Is it considered a weakness or strength to live without your friends?

"So this is what you do? You sit and mope when you're alone," Someone inquired from besides me.

I chuckled and looked up at them, "Nope, I'm not moping just thinking,"

"What about?"

"Does it matter? You wouldn't care. You don't even know me," I droned on.

"You wouldn't know that. You don't know me either," He retorted with a light chuckle and I couldn't help but smile at him.

I pulled my legs in from lying on the bench to make more room for him. His grin widen so did those beautiful brown eyes.

We didn't look at each other and it was a little awkward. We both had something we wanted to say but couldn't quite say it.

"So-" we both said in unison.

We paused for a moment, I look at a bit caught of guard. He seemed just as surprised. Don't know what it was... The awkwardness, the confidence, the arrogance, any of it was enough to get me fired up again.

It was actually kind of funny. I mean I know he's an overconfident asshole but I can't help but laugh at how sweet and awkward he can be.

"You can go ahead," He mumbled scratching the back of his neck.

I looked back down into my bag at Vex. He was still asleep and unable to provide much emotional support.

With a deep breath, I turned my head and looked him in the eyes.

"I just want to say... That I'm sorry... For yesterday. I didn't mean to piss you off like that,"

"What?! It's okay but-"

"No, it's not!" I cut him off, raising my voice.

"I was being too aggressive and I didn't even notice it until my friend pointed it out! It's shameful at best," I tried to explain to him, my nerves pricking at my fingertips.

Then he grabbed my hand to stop the shaky which seemed to bother him a lot more than it did me, "I should be the one that's sorry, I'm the one who couldn't leave you alone,"

But I was instigating a fight, I'm in the wrong. Why can't you see that?

"Besides I know your only apologizing because of my popularity. You don't want to get bullied, I get it, you don't have to spare me," He dismissed letting my hand go.

I shook my head, "Being bullied isn't nice but I'm not gonna give a half-assed apology because I'm scared,"

He went silent for a minute before turning back to me with a thin grin, "You know, I wasn't that pissed off. In fact, I was more lost for words. I don't get comments like that from anyone, not even my mom,"

"What, brash and unreasonable comments on your personality?" I asked and he shook his head.

"Comments that are not afraid to say how they feel or say something a bit out of pocket," He looked at me, looking between my goggles and my eyes.

I pulled my hood farther over my goggles that sat upon my forehead, "I got a bit overzealous but I can't say that I don't have strong opinions,"

Wynter chuckled a bit to himself before giving me a shoulder pat, "So we both have our flaws but I think we'd be better as friends than enemies,"