I Know it Sounds Cliche [kam high school au] [kotlc]

Chapter 2

Tam POV:

Tam stared out the car window at the school parking lot entrance, dreading the moment he would have to walk into the building. Anxiety knotted itself inside his chest.

Couldn't he just... not go? It was a much more enticing option, though Linh would probably yell at him. She could be much... firmer than she appeared.

Tam felt the car pull to a stop, his heart rate shooting up to a level that probably wasn't healthy.

It's fine. It'll be fine. Nothing's going to happen, he thought—okay, pleaded—and unclipped the seat belt.

When he didn't move, Linh raised a soft eyebrow at him, nothing about her features matching her current demeanor, silently telling him to get out. Having half a second to choose between pleading, demanding, or complying, Tam chose the latter. He rolled his eyes, not quite so discreetly, and sighed, opening the door.

Straightening himself, he threw his slightly frayed, black backpack over one shoulder, then closed the car door with his elbow. The door, he observed, was dimpled with rusty scratches and lightly chipped paint.

Briefly visualizing himself being scratched by a rust spot, he made a mental note to attempt cleaning the car.

Attempt to ask someone to clean the car.

Linh walked up next to him, her evident presence drawing him away from his previous preoccupation.

"Are we going in, or are you gonna stand on the pavement all day?" she questioned when he stayed still next to the car. She brushed her fingers against his jacket sleeve, which Tam found slightly comforting.

He sighed, giving her a mock glare before momentarily touching the front of his hair.

"Yes, Linh. I'm going to stand in the parking lot all day. Hope I don't get run over." he responded flatly.

Linh tried to hide her amusement at his obvious irritation. "And you even slept in." She swatted him somewhat playfully. Well, more of a pat than a swat.

"Okay, move your feet, it's 7:56." she stated, checking her phone and grabbing his wrist.

Well, no getting out of this today, then, Tam thought haplessly, the ground scuffing against his shoe soles as she pulled him towards the building.

Keefe POV:

Fitz's hand, along with a red hoodie sleeve, waved in front of Keefe's face. "You alive, Keefe?"

He looked up, snapping away from his empty thoughts. "Hm, compared to Jesus, yes."

"That could mean literally anything," Fitz arched a thick eyebrow.

"You would be correct, Einstein. Almost."

"I... see?"

"Do you?' Keefe teased, smirking.

Fitz sighed. "Are you capable of being serious?"

"Have you met me?" he asked incredulously.

His mouth formed a slow o shape. "Good point," his friend smiled, the skin around his hazel eyes crinkling.

Keefe wrapped an arm around Fitz's shoulder. "That's the spirit," he said. Fitz patted Keefe's arm awkwardly, clearly unsure of what to do.

Noticing his friend's obvious discomfort, Keefe ruffled Fitz's wavy dark hair.

"New conditioner?" he questioned, surprised by how soft and knotless it was.

"Oh, uh, ran out, so I borrowed Biana's. Tell her and I'll have your fucking head. And... all your hair products," Fitz added, pressing a finger to his lips and raising his eyebrows for an added effect.

"Never fear, Fitzy, your secret's safe with me–" Keefe was about to add "for a price" but was very rudely interrupted by the bell.

"Free works too," he mumbled quickly.

Fitz patted Keefe's arm again, clearly not hearing him, before backing towards the direction of his class.

"Remember, your hair!" he called, waving the two-finger-"I'm-watching-you"-motion.

"No promises!"

*

Keefe reluctantly sat down at the desk closest to the door, already regretting his decision to come on time. Or at all. He briefly surveyed the classroom, checking for anything worth paying attention too, before slumping back in his seat. Sadly enough, none of his friends were in his first period, a large reason for why he had no motivation to come. Though, he was sure that meant nothing to his teachers.

" Ah, Keefe. Nice of you to find time in your obviously very busy schedule, to join us," echoing his previous thoughts, the stiff, red haired teacher, who's name he had no clue—Ms... Kevin? Possibly. How the hell what he supposed to know—commented. She was clearly in a bad mood, for reasons Keefe didn't attempt to read into.

"No problem. Anything for you," he responded coolly, a faint relaxed smirk was displayed on his lips. He noticed a few people—girls, mostly, of course—grin at each other and to themselves out of the corner of his eye. That was always somewhat reassuring. In a weird, probably needy, way.

The teacher, Ms. Galvin—yes Keefe now remembered her name, it had nothing to do with her name tag—didn't look like she shared his current amusement. "I see, are you done?"

"Only if you want."

She pursed her thin lips and turned towards the white board, cueing Keefe to find a random point in the classroom to space out into. It's not that he didn't want to pay attention, it was just... a challenge. Thus, he didn't try. Not worth it, he had tried to convince himself.

About five minutes in, he subconsciously started to tap his pencil against the wooden desk.

Tap. Tap. Tap. Ta–

The teacher whipped her head towards him, a stern look on her face.

He pretended not to notice.

Clearly lacking any compassion, "Goodness, Keefe, will you stop that?" Ms. Galvin demanded impatiently. Keefe ignored the request, simply to further her irritation. How did this woman get a job? he thought, laughing silently.

"Keefe!" she repeated, raising her shrill-ass voice.

"What's the magic word?" he asked, tilting his head and smiling innocently.

"I don't have to come up with a magic word. I don't get why you can't listen to me." she complained, exasperated.

God, why is she so fucking annoying.

"It's only fair," he responded defiantly.

The teacher inhaled, then more or less stalked over to him, her high heels clicking repetitively against the tile, eyesore-red hair bouncing, and pulled the pencil from his fingers. Keefe crossed his arms as she set it beside him and switched to bouncing his leg.

"Okay, then. Happy now?" he muttered.

Ms. Galvin didn't respond, click-clacking back towards the front of the classroom.

He exhaled. What a fun way to start the day.

-

me too guys me too 

wow linh actually has a personality now ywwww/sar

my fake ego just 💪💪 *lip bite*/jjjj

anyways before I embarrass myself furtheryes

 I know

that's all I have to say

oh and happy womens day :D