SOCIALLY AWKWARD

01. All-time High

Feeling down was a state foreign to Ameri, for her bright and lively disposition only attracted positivity.

She reveled in anything exciting and diverting, her confidence in her looks and character and understanding allowing her such a luxury. And on the rare occasions when negativity would try to hinder her, she would either push it out of her way entirely or still manage to bring out the good in it.

So, it was safe to say that so far her days in high school had been pure bliss, little ever succeeding in disheartening her.

Today, in particular, her spirits were at an all-time high.

She had woken up with an overdose of serotonin pulsing in her veins and riding the high, had put in extra effort into her appearance. A cute updo, a couple of swipes of mascara, a dust of blush, and a layer of dark lip balm were enough to display her frame of mind and, as desired, had all eyes on her.

She walked into class with a spring in her step, as radiant and captivating as she'd always been on her good days.

Lunch break couldn't come fast enough for her to flaunt her charm to her crush, but for now, she delighted in her classmates' reactions.

All her girlfriends dashed to compliment her the moment she'd taken her seat, and all the boys were whispering amongst themselves about how adorable she looked.

All the boys except for one.

Ameri spun and saw that indeed Kenma was immersed in his video game.

That shouldn't have surprised her. It was common knowledge that Kenma lived in a parallel universe. Since their first year, he'd basically been the townsperson B of their class and never seemed to want any part in the main cast either. He was content in his bubble, away from the spotlight, and all he seemed to ever wish for was to be left alone.

His detachment was something that had neither interested nor bothered Ameri.

But today, she looked extra beautiful and was glowing with even more appeal than usual, so why did he still not care?

That thought kept pestering her for the entire period, and come recess, she found herself perched on his desk.

"Hi," she grinned, throwing one leg over the other ever so slowly, her patterned knee-highs reaping hushed gasps from the row of boys across from them. "Whatcha doin'?"

Kenma's eyes widened slightly, but he didn't allow the surprise to overtake his expression. He had no idea why she'd chosen to do whatever this was this close to him of all people and, frankly, did not even give a damn. All he could think about at the moment was how she was drawing him unnecessary attention. He wanted to vanish.

Slanting back in his chair to distance himself from her, he buried his face behind his screen and whispered, "Playing."

Whatever should normally incite affront, in Ameri's case usually stirred purpose and curiosity, and his aloof attitude heightened the urge within her to trifle with him. To tease and provoke the socially awkward and imperturbable guy of the class was starting to sound more and more like a tempting and gratifying challenge. And if there was one thing Ameri enjoyed more than anything, it was a good challenge.

She tilted her head to take a peek. "What game?"

"You probably wouldn't know it."

"Try me," she said as she pulled an empty chair and stationed herself at his side—way too close for his liking.

After some unwelcome persistence from Ameri, Kenma revealed the name of the game, and as expected, she did not recognize it.

Her mortified grimace brought the faintest of smiles to his lips, however, and though it was at her expense, she still considered it a little win. She couldn't remember the last time she'd seen him smile.

The same air of indifference still hovered around him after the next class started, though. Kenma returned to his usual, distant self and wasn't looking at her whenever she stole glances at him. That was enough to smear her victory but at the same time strengthen her determination and interest.

What is it that would make him break?

Ameri resolved that she wouldn't stop until she found out.