Just Press Ctrl Z

Chapter 8.2

Raine knew enough of his personality to tell he wasn't an unemotional douchebag most people thought him to be, although he couldn't deny the brutality of his words which he carelessly threw upon a certain individual, like telling them to go ask a deceased person to gift them a new watch.

Raine would've hung his head in shame if it weren't for his pride. Even so, he supposed a heartfelt apology was in order, and added the situation had left him upset to the point of enduring many sleepless nights. He needed to put his mind at ease but with how things were going at present, he wasn't so sure of seeing improvements anytime soon.

Raine could feel his face burning up with intensity as soon as he walked out of the store. Mouth dry, palms sweaty, fingers clenched to control his racing thoughts, he paced forward in quick heavy steps, ignoring the stares from classmates loitering in the area. As far as he could recall, his friends had always been good at experimenting with dopamine levels in the body.

Alcohol, cigarettes, weed—All necessary equipment used in good cause to tackle the stress and pressure they had to deal with on a daily basis, especially the ones taking the technical degree path, as they climb up a rusty ladder to reach their respective Bachelor's degree. But this situation, or rather, encounter was something none of those mentioned equipment could tackle, not that he was a very skilled user, to begin with. In fact, he knew better than to indulge in such kinds of mind-altering, deceptive addictives, staying as far away from those as possible, but at that moment, he found himself desperately wishing for something to keep his mind at peace.

Raine snatched Sean's freshly opened water bottle as he walked past, downing the entire drink without leaving a drop for the disappointed Sean. "What the hell, man?" Sean cursed at him, but he could care less. The icy water helped soothe his nerves, or so he hoped.

Zenjee. Zenjee. Zenjee. If screaming that name over and over again would exterminate the said person, Raine wouldn't care if his lungs exploded in the process. He recalled seeing the guy inside the store, then watching him put something on his lips, oh that irritating pop of pink that drew his eyes to his lips and at those pure green eyes framed with dark long lashes. He'd rather die than admit Zenjee was actually a very attractive person upon closer look.

God, no! This wasn't right. He, of all people, finding a gay, of all people, attractive? Clearly, someone had cast a spell on him. If it weren't for the many concerned eyes of his friends, he would've plucked his hair out in shame on the spot. Ever since he owed that guy an apology, he hadn't been acting straight.

It's the guilt. I'm sure of it. His brain concluded at last. All I have to do is avoid him and this feeling will be gone. With that thought in mind, Raine pulled out his smartphone, popped in his earbuds, and drowned out his thoughts with music.

~-~

"Everyone, roll call's complete," the teacher announced firmly. "I need all of you to stay on the bus from here on out. No excuses. Stay seated while I fetch the driver."

Finally, Zen let out a relieved sigh. She was on her way home. The sky had darkened considerably, hinting at an impending storm. All she needed to do was wait for the teacher to return with the driver, and she'd be on her way. Then Raine would be gone, taking all the bad luck with him. Zen relaxed into her seat, observing that many of her classmates were already drifting off, evident from the snores. A few guys, however, were engrossed in their phones to even notice what was happening around them. Not surprising in this era.

Zen was almost ready to close her eyes and drift away when her hand unconsciously brushed against her pants. She instinctively reached for a solid object in her pocket, but found some spare change instead. Panic surged as she realized her wallet was gone! Zen stood up, rousing the dozing Kai next to her, and made her way out.