Not Evelyn. ~ max x fem oc (wlw)

✩ 1 · Max ✩

 ★ 𝙴𝚟𝚎𝚕𝚢𝚗'𝚜 𝙿𝙾𝚅 ★

I walk through the school corridor until I get to my locker, and I notice Will at his, just a few spaces down. When he takes his books, a piece of paper slips out and falls to the floor. He unfolds it and reads it briefly, his eyes scanning the hallway as if searching for the person who left it there. Our gazes meet for a moment, his expression devoid of any emotion. Without a word, he crumples the paper, grabs the book he needs for class, and walks away.

I open my locker, half-expecting a similar note to fall out, but nothing does. It seems today is his turn.

Ever since the incident with Will, the attention on my own situation has thankfully lessened, and my lesbianism is no longer the hottest topic at school. While I do feel a twinge of sympathy for him, I know he had been bullied before—by a few jerks—but now it seems like everyone has something to say about him, often cruel and undeserved.

I started facing bullying two years ago, when I came out of the closet. Although I actually didn't. It wasn't even my choice; a close friend let it slip, and soon the entire school knew I liked girls. Those friends? Well, they are no longer my friends. Not because I don't want to, of course, I would've forgiven them if it was the only option besides being alone, but I couldn't decide that either. They distanced themselves quickly, as if my presence alone was a threat to them.

The first month was the hardest. People stared at me as if I were a giant spider. Eventually, they stopped looking, acting as if I didn't exist, which, in some ways, was even worse. Over time, though, I got used to it. I even started to prefer the invisibility. It allowed me to find a group of misfits who didn't care much about that—probably because they wre all boys, who didn't see me as a threat like the other girls did. I could not fall in love with them, could I?

As I head to class, books in hand, I smile back at the teacher who greets me at the door. Inside, no one seems particularly interested in their surroundings; they are all chatting among themselves. I take my usual seat at the back, where someone is least likely to look at me, so I can avoid unwanted attention.

Mr. Clarke claps his hands to get everyone's attention. "Guys, please pay attention to me. The bell has already rung." Gradually, the room quiets, though a few whispers linger. Unperturbed, he pulls an object from his backpack and places it on the table with a loud thud, finally silencing the room. "Meet the human brain" he begins, "I know, I know, it doesn't look like much—a little gross even, right? But consider this: there are a hundred billion cells inside of this..." As he continues, I find myself drifting, his words blurring into the background.

My attention shifts to the window, where I notice a tall, curly-haired guy arguing with an older man, likely his father. I imagine their conversation, probably nothing close to reality. My thoughts are interrupted when the classroom door suddenly opens, pulling me back to the present.

"Ah, this must be our new student." Mr. Clarke announces with excitement.

A girl with red hair enters, staring at the floor as if wishing she could not be seen, or be there at all. But unlucky for her, being the new kid is never easy, especially when you'd rather not be noticed.

"Indeed, all yours." says a man I hadn't noticed brought her, before leaving the room.

She begins walking to find an empty seat, but Mr. Clarke stops her, eager for an introduction. "Hold up. You don't get away that easy. Come on up, don't be shy."

Reluctantly, she returns to the front of the room, facing the entire class. She is pretty, her red hair matching the jacket she wears.

"Dustin, drum roll." Mr. Clarke instructs a student in the front row, who I know is friends with Will. Dustin obliges, tapping on his desk as the girl looks at the floor, clearly uncomfortable. "Class, please welcome, all the way from sunny California, the latest passenger to join us on our curiosity voyage, Maxine."