Not that bad // Rhea Ripley

2- The Perks Of Being A Wallflower

"I am both sad and happy, and I'm still trying to figure out how that could be."

The Perks Of Being A Wallflower

4 am. I laid on my back, staring intensely at the ceiling. I had spent yet another night of insomnia, and I was getting really tired of it, no pun intended. I decided to read a book to pass the time before I had to go get dressed for school. It was unbelievably hot outside, even for January in Australia. I read about a hundred pages of the book before doing my morning routine. I greeted my mother and ate a cereal bar, before going outside to wait for Michael. To my surprise, he was already here. Michael is mostly known for being late all the time. The walk to the school was pretty silent for once, which was really unusual.

" Mikey, are you okay ?" I asked as gently as I could. To be honest, I'm pretty dry towards people, except for Michael.

" I don't know, it's weird, everything is going fine in my house, but I feel sad." He looked down, ashamed. "I don't wanna bother you with it, I'm sorry."

" You're not bothering me Michael, stop it !" I gently hit him on the shoulder, and got a smile from him. "And it happens to me too, just, don't do anything stupid and talk to me if you feel bad alright ? I don't want what happened to me to happen to you."

" Thank you Roxanne, you're the best."

He circled my shoulders with his arm and I placed my hand on his back. People often think we're dating, but we both know we couldn't. We've been friends and neighbors for literally forever, and no, it would be too weird. I had choir in first period, with Michael and Calum. I sat on the outside of the half circle, and Michael sat next to me. We always do that because I don't like strangers, or anyone I don't talk to on a daily basis, sitting next to me. So that means everyone except Michael, and maybe Calum. Speaking of him, he was quickly joined by Luke. Well I guess I'll have to spend at least half of my classes with him. Why can't I continue to not notice him, like I did until now. The class started and the teacher asked us to fill papers with our info, if we sing, if we play any instruments, and our favorite bands and music preferences. We handed everything back to her, and she proceeded to read them out loud. Fuck me. Fortunately, she didn't stop on my paper and read Luke's. So he sings and plays guitar. And has pretty good music tastes. Pretty much the same as Michael and I. Not like I care anyways. Next period was French, and I was alone, until Calum showed up.

" Hey, mind if I sit there?" He asked motioning to the seat next to me.

" No, I'm actually glad it's you, rather than anyone else." I chuckled.

" You really don't like him huh?"

" I guess you're talking about Luke?" I sighed. "I just, no, there's something about him that seems weird, I guess he reminds me of someone, or something." I sighed once again, I know I shouldn't judge him like that but I can't help it.

" You should try to know him, he's cool." Cal assured me. " He's not weird like us or anything, he's actually pretty calm and normal, but still."

" Yeah yeah, I might give it a try."

Calum sounded satisfied and we stayed silent until the teacher came in the class. This hour was boring as hell, and so was PE. I knew absolutely no one, well except or Luke but that won't help. Once I got changed I sat on the bleachers and watched everyone finding their friends from last year. As on cue, the first sport we did, to 'get us started' as the teacher said, was dodge ball. I hate it, more than anything in the world.

" Hey miss Colton!" The teacher called. "Would you do us the honor of your presence down here."

" Well if my presence is needed that badly, I guess I could make some little effort." I said sarcastically and walked down the bleachers.

I still kept my distance with the preppy girls that were already making gnarly comments, but soon forgot about me to start flirting with the boys in the class. Soon the teacher started making the teams. There was a lot more boys in our class than girls, so we made teams of ten, 3 girls in each team. The first game was won by our team, and so were the next two. On the last game, one of the jocks threw the ball at me and it hit right on my right knee, which is already pretty weak since it is malformed. I dropped on the ground under the shock, but got up as quick as I could and exited the field. Thank lord it was our last game, and we got changed after that. I made my way to the place Michael and I usually meet while trying to hide my limping. I felt a hand on my shoulder and I stopped. Luke appeared in my eyesight.

" Hey, erm, are you okay ?" He asked gently. "I saw you fall, and I was worried you might be hurt."

" Why would you even worry about me ?" I snapped. "I don't need that, I'm fine."

" I, uh, wow, okay " He stuttered. " Sorry to be a bother."

He left, and I kinda felt guilty to have talked like that to him. He meant no harm, but I can't help myself, its in my nature. I went to eat with Mike, and then we had two hours of English, and we got to call it a day. The walk home was silent, but it was not because of Michael this time. The rest of the week was exactly the same, except it started to get to me again.