so what if i'm different? (ON HOLD*)

chapter 2

When we arrive at the school, Evan is the first to get off the bus. He quickly hurries inside; me tailing behind. Before I can even get to him, I look up and he's not there. I'll see him later anyway, his locker is literally next to mine.

Walking into the school, I notice a lot going on. Some people glancing at me, making up rumours, talking shit, etc. As I head toward my locker, I overhear names I'm being called.

Ugh, such a loser.

Ew, he's definitely a freak.

OMG, you see him? he's probably a stoner.

I guess it's whatever though. They're not right, but all they can do is assume. It's not like I go around telling people I'm not a loser. The most I've done in this hallway was yell at a kid, and even then, no one cared.

When I get to my locker, Evan and Jared Kleinman are talking to each other. It's been about 5 minutes since I got to my locker, so they must have been talking for at least 2 minutes now.

"Uh, heyyyyyy, Jared," I say awkwardly.

"Oh, hey mini-Evan," Jared says, then quickly returns to talking with Evan.

Speaking of Jared, he calls me "mini-Evan" because we're basically the same person; except I'm shorter and younger than Evan (obviously).

I notice that Jared and Evan are about to end their conversation. Evan begins to speak.

"Do you want to sign my cast?" he asks.

"Me?" Jared asks, looking at him confused.

"Yeah? I mean... we're... friends.?" Evan says, trying not to stutter.

"We're family friends. That's a whole different thing and you know it," Jared replies.

"Tell your mom to tell my mom that I was nice to you or else my parents won't pay for my car insurance," Jared says, and he starts to walk off.

Across the hall is Zoe's brother, Connor. I think he's pretty cut- COOL. Pretty cool (heh). He's not really the most friendly person, and he lashes out pretty often. I heard that he threw a printer at his second-grade teacher, Mrs G. I also heard he got expelled from his last school for having drugs in his locker. You know, Maybe he's like me (minus the drugs thing).
Anxious and depressed, and gets mad quite easily, leading to problematic split-second decisions. Except in this case, his would be WAY more severe.

Connor slams his locker closed and turns around, making eye contact with Jared.

"Heyyy, Connor!! Lovin' the new hair length, it's very... 'school shooter' chic," Jared says mockingly.

Connor keeps staring and he takes a step forward. Evan looks over and becomes uncomfortable, beginning to back up. Jared however, is completely unfazed by this.

"Geez, dude it was a joke," Jared says.

"Yeah no, it was funny. I'm laughing. Can't you tell? Am I not laughing hard enough for you?" Connor says intimidatingly.

"God, you're such a freak," Jared says, as he turns around and walks away.

And the award goes to Jared Kleinman for "messing with the high kid, Connor Murphy"!! Why would he even do that? Connor may look menacing, but I can definitely tell that what Jared said fucked with him a little.

Connor continues to look in our direction. He and Evan eventually make eye contact. Evan laughs uncomfortably and starts to back up into me. I take a step to the side.

"What are you laughing at?" Connor asks, walking in our direction.

"W-What?" Evan says awkwardly.

"Stop fucking laughing at me!!" Connor yells, but only a couple of glances arise from the nearly empty hallway.