Deer In Headlights [Minizerk]

Chapter 2

"Simon, why would you do that? Are you insane?!" Ethan immediately questioned as we left the classroom.

"He was making me mad, and then that guy called me a girl, I just lost my temper" I shrugged.

On the outside I was calm, but internally I was freaking out. I was scared Josh would retaliate. Though, in my defence, he did tell me to hit him back.

"Simon..."

"No, shush, I'm already scared, we're not gonna talk about it" I insisted.

"Okay but what he did he say to you at the end of the lesson? When he whispered? He didn't threaten you did he?" He asked.

"Not bad pretty boy"

I wasn't sure whether he'd meant pretty as an insult. I couldn't tell if he was calling me a girl in a malicious way, or if it was just an odd nickname.

"Oh, nothing, he was just surprised I actually hit him" I told him. I wasn't sure why I didn't just tell Ethan what he said.

"Erm, Simon? You know you said not to scare you?" He grimaced. I frowned. "He's coming over here"

"Shit" I grumbled, turning on my heel and walking in the other direction. Ethan followed.

The whole hallway went silent and at this point I was sure they could all hear my heart pounding.

"Minter, come back here" he called. His tone didn't sound threatening, but I didn't trust him for a minute.

I continued speed walking away until eventually a hand grabbed hold of my jumper, pulling me back. I yelped in surprise as I turned to face Joshua.

"I just need to talk to you alone" he grumbled, dragging me away into a bathroom. The few people in there quickly scattered and we were left alone.

"I'm sorry-"

"Shut up, I'm sorry" he said, taking me completely by surprise.

"What? Why are you sorry? I'm the one that hit you, you didn't even hit me back" my brows furrowed.

"I didn't hit you because you didn't deserve to be hit, I knew I was in angry mood earlier so I didn't want to hit you back. I try not to hit in anger" he explained "I'm sorry because I clearly provoked you"

I just blinked at him. Joshua was a more reasonable person than I'd realised. I guess I'd made assumptions about him that weren't fair.

All I knew was that he was a thief, got in lots of fights, and nobody got on with him. But maybe it was actually that nobody tried to get on with him because they made the same assumptions I did.

I could tell he was being genuine by the look in his eyes. He looked calm, his glare was gone, this was really him.

"Let's go sit down so we can talk this out" he said, sitting down on the counter top in between the sinks. I sat on one too. "So what was it I said that pissed you off?"

"You said everybody likes me because of the way I look" I told him "That's hardly true"

"Really? I'm sorry, from my perspective it seems like we're both different, but people like you for being different, I get judged for it"

"From my perspective I agree on one thing, it's unfair that you get judged. But I definitely get judged too. Some people respect me for the way I dress, everyone else fucking hates me"

"I didn't know that, I'm sorry. I don't want to make excuses, but I probably didn't realise because I don't talk to anyone at school"

"No that makes sense, I get it" I assured him.

"Do people at school not talk to you either?" He asked "Besides your friend I mean"

"Well, nobody really ignores me. I guess it's the opposite for me as it is to you. People spread rumours about you but wouldn't say it to your face, but people tell me exactly what they think..." I trailed off.

"What do they say to you?" He frowned.

"It doesn't really matter" I shrugged.

"It definitely does, at least tell me who says it" he insisted.

"Logan, Jake joins in too even though he's in the year below" I told him.

"And their friends I assume"

"Yeah, they're all assholes really"

"Okay, well thanks for being willing to talk to me" he smiled.

That was the first time I'd ever seen Joshua smile.

"No problem, thanks for wanting to talk" I flashed him a smile back.

"See you around, also, everyone calls me Joshua but I hate it. Just call me Josh" he said.