little talks

day 1.

Fiona

Macroeconomics II has got to be known as the worst subject in American courses. Although, I'm kind of just saying that for the social aspect of the current situation. You've got the sophomores who think they're Einstein and the lousy juniors who probably could be in an "advanced" class but aren't.

Now, academics we're always my strongest area in schooling. Friends, not so much. In all reality, I don't exactly fit any normal scaling or high school stereotype. I'm not popular, but not completely out of the loop. I have friends, but not many; and not many that are truly out of the already small group of misfits.

My friends are nice and count me into things, but we don't exactly talk or hangout like friends should.

So, walking into Macroeconomics II and seeing a whole collection of people I've never met before and no seating chart, is like a blessing and curse.

Happening to be saved, I recognize a friend of mine from last year's courses, Blaine, although we're not actually friends. More like colleagues that talked to each other so they wouldn't be left to face the others in the class.

"Do you mind if I sit with you?"

It's all I manage to say. I wasn't exactly a talker but I wasn't shy either. Blaine had another friend of hers with her. I'd probably have just ignored gestures entirely had she not been there.

"Of course, we don't mind at all!" Blaine said as her friend, who I learned is Angelina, waves me into the seat next to her.

I was exhausted already. The amount of life drained out of me the second I walked into this building was impeccable. I didn't realize I had put my head down until I heard gasps around me. I quickly straightened only to realize Blaine and Angelina were looking towards the door. I thought someone may have fallen with the dramatics, but instead someone has simply walked into the room.

A figure with disheveled brown hair and a blue hoodie covering their face walked in. The last name read Kaivenal across the back. Although their face was covered by the angle of the room, yet I immediately felt intrigued. It felt like he was one part of a magnet and I was the second. For what I couldn't know. I'd never seen the person or heard of anyone with that last name. I was so caught up I hadn't even heard Blaine start talking.

"I can't believe he's even here. I didn't know he had this class."

I felt insecure asking. I felt like I was asking the name of the president the way Angelina and Blaine were so exasperated. I clearly had missed something.

"Who even is that?" is all I mumbled before looking away. Both of them gasp again almost like they've never been so offended. Again, we are only acquaintances so I'm not sure of the reason.

"That... is my ex-boyfriend, Kai."

With the reaction they had, I knew that even though we weren't friends necessarily, no way in hell would I ever be friends with this guy. If he was someone they treated like a president, all be their drama, I sunk the feeling in my chest, turning all possible thoughts into a vacuum, one with no release.

I'd honestly forgotten the events as the teacher came in and gave us the packet for intro week that had clearly looked like it wouldn't be easy to fill. I mindlessly listened to Blaine and Angelina, the hidden AirPod under my ear filing in the sounds of OutKast. It wasn't until the bell rang I noticed 'Kaivenal' had been sitting directly in front of me the whole time. The same seat in which I sat, just a table ahead.

"Hey!" I look over to my right and see Blaine. I thought she might've been waiting for me since she's at the door, but I realize Angelina was still packing up too. Her highlighters running across the table. I turn up my music and look up again. Only this time, I see Kaivenal looking at me until I catch him, then he looks away. He quickly walks away to the right when he gets out the door, heading towards The Cut. Before I turn left I take one last look, and see he's looked back again. Somehow, I've never noticed him. No matter how tall, or based off of the reactions in the room- popular, I had never seen him nor heard of him. Yet somehow, it looked like he may have known me.

Weird.