Projection (Male reader x Female OC)

011

With my arm propped up at the table, I blankly stare forward wondering if my stars will align just so that the world can put me into a coma so that I can get out of here. I am only here because Rin wanted to go out with friends as usual and it isn't easy just going about if you don't trust people as much as you wish.

Well. That's why I am still here. Don't trust any of these people.

Rin is sitting on the opposite side between the rest of the girls and they haven't stopped talking. Maybe if I were a little bit social this wouldn't have been as annoying to deal with but then again playground pettiness is still going to exist.

Anthony who is sitting next to me then asks, "You okay?"

"Surviving."

"Yeah, sorry about Katelyn. I mean everyone else has been pretty chill and I guess it comes with just inviting someone."

I lift my shoulders. "It is still pretty fucked up because I never talked to her before." I glance back over to Rin only to see Katelyn's idle glare where I slightly raise my eyebrow back at the bitch.

"Probably better to keep the two of you away from each other for the rest of the day maybe."

"Hmm."

***   ***   ***

We didn't stick around too long at the restaurant before everyone headed straight back for drinks. I don't really know what the point of all that was if you could just order food for delivery and minimize the amount of walking to zero.

Sarah and her college group left long ago but that doesn't matter to me all that much as Sarah sent me a message inviting the two of us over if we really don't want to take part in it. Right now I am just standing outside enjoying the cool air mostly worrying about when the fuck we are deciding on going home.

I glance over my shoulder as I hear someone walk towards me, she turns around in front of me handing me a can of beer.

"Something something, don't take alcohol from strangers."

"If you die then you have my permission to choke me out?" Alexi smiles at me as she gestures for me to take the beer.

I grab it as I shake my hand. "Reason you are out here?"

"Well. Rin has been trying to scoot closer to make sure you are enjoying yourself so I am here to set her at ease." She holds her smile as she looks through the window. "Been giving her a hard time with all of the attention I think Rin's about to break into a fight."

I chuckle. "Rin is an aggressive drunk."

"Yeah... I know."

This is the most I have talked to women in like... eighteen years of my life. Okay thinking about it out loud like that is pretty sad and I probably went wrong somewhere in my life but Rin turning into a girl has kind of brought me to talk to quite a few girls.

Should I be thankful? I mean... one person's suffering often leads to another's fortune.

She then looks back at me. "Heard about Katelyn having quite the stick up her ass about you."

I nod. "Comes from a good place I am sure."

"I can't really defend my friends if I know they are pretty petty." Crossing her arms that smile of her fades to a more absent and colder expression. "I wouldn't defend most of them in any situation but they are my friends and its the only reason why I go through that."

"Why? JUst let them learn the hard way."

"Because they expect it from me." She looks at me. "Or do you not understand social norms? I mean you probably don't give two fucks about it."

"That your observation?"

"First fuck is understanding social norms. The second fuck is not caring what implication it can have on you."

I roll my eyes. "Not like you are going to treat me differently all of the sudden if I understand or try to practise them."

"Might get you some friends."

"One is enough."

"One good friend that you can trust with your life is enough. You don't find those."

I shake my head cracking open the beer as I state. "They find you."

"Look at you." I look back at her. "You can hold a conversation, maybe I should start talking you up and trick Katelyn into thinking she has a crush on you." She grins mischievously at me.

I cock my head. "Are you acting?"

"Which side of me?"

I shake my head as I snort. "Don't answer. Your personality changes depending on the situation so it would be hard to ever say if you can be trusted. This?" I gesture to her. "Probably to talk to me easier to make me think you think like me."

"Give me some credit. I am good at what I do."

"At being a snake?"

"Comes with the property."

"Right." I shake my head as I state. "Won't work on me. I don't trust girls trying to be nice to me because they are either making a huge mistake trying to flirt with me, or they are going to manipulate me."

"What if it is a little bit of both~"

The door opens behind me and I see her expression naturally change back to the one I am used to the moment she locks eyes with the person right behind me.

"Heya, Connie."

"Hey, Alexi. Why are you two out here?"

"Wanted some air." Alexi chuckles. "Why? DId something happen?"

"Nah." He drops down next to me. "Just got tired of the guys so clearly flirting with Rin that it is borderline uncomfortable in there. The girls are playing it off and at this point, this feels rather... pathetic."

I look at Connie who downs his drink. Alexi then sighs. "I'll try and stop them." She walks up the steps past us.

"Don't know why you even showed up. I thought it was obvious they only wanted Rin."

I nod. "I am not stupid. But I am not going to let Rin go here alone."

"Then go and get her before they do something stupid." He states. "Nothing like horny teenagers really wanting to cop a feel, try their luck with someone who is a bit new to the girl game and probably thinking like a dude."

I lift myself instantly heading for the door. I glance at him to see him shake his head, probably at the situation but I don't trust any of these fuckers. I'd rather be made the fool than actually letting Rin go through something shitty.