Killing Time [radiohead fanfiction]

Five: Unwanted Advancements

I awake the next morning, eyes slowly adjusting to the pool of sunlight that now fills my room. A loud groan escapes my throat as I sit up, stretching my back before I'm able to stand. As I rub my eyes, I place my glasses on the bridge of my nose, finally able to see again. My mother hates how my glasses look, so I've grown accustomed to the frequent use of contacts. I do agree with her reasoning though, glasses can only be attractive on certain people, a demographic in which I don't fit.

Yawning, I immediately step into my bathroom, getting myself ready for the day ahead. My braids are transferred into a ponytail, my glasses swapped to contacts, and my bare face hidden under makeup. Since school doesn't start until tomorrow, I have one more day to wear something from my personal wardrobe. I choose a Cure band t-shirt, a red zip-up sweatshirt which I've sewn stars onto the elbows, and my usual bootcut jeans. Feeling okay with my appearance, I make my way downstairs to the dining hall.

After grabbing breakfast, I beeline for the most empty table, as I have yet to see anyone I'm familiar with. Just a few bites into a slice of toast, I feel someone sit next to me. Whoever it is finds it necessary to wrap their arm around me, interrupting my meal.
"Do I know you?" I ask, turning to face the culprit. He looks at me, dumbfounded. I recognize him as the boy who grabbed my arm yesterday. His clique of other sporty boys sit around me, I feel trapped.
"You don't know me yet, but I promise I'll change that." The boy says with a smirk. His buddies audibly gasp, seemingly invested in their friend's shitty attempt at flirting.
"I'm supposed to be meeting other people," I state firmly, gripping my tray and preparing to stand up.
"Who? Did O'Brien already stake his claim or something?" He responds cooly, tightening his grip on my shoulder.
"O'Brien?" I question, not sure as to who that is.
"Ed, the tall one you were talking to yesterday."
"Oh. Yeah, I'm supposed to be eating with him and his friends." I attempt to stand up once again, but he pulls me back down. Huffing loudly, I grow increasingly frustrated.
"As far as I'm concerned, O'Brien isn't here. So, I have you all to myself." He smiles at me again. I turn away, searching desperately for a familiar face, or at least someone to defend my honor. The search doesn't last long, as the boy pinches my chin between his thumb and pointer finger, drawing me towards himself. Suddenly, he drops his hand and stands up, apologizing profusely before skittering off, his gang trailing close behind.

"Fucking asshole," Ed mutters, taking a seat on my left. He pats my arm sympathetically, his once-scary demeanor melting away.
"You shouldn't let yourself get pushed around like that, it's unethical."
"Trust me, I tried. He just wouldn't take no for an answer." I sigh, stealing one of Ed's bacon slices.
"You alright, Mary? Thom and I saw Ed scare some guys away." Colin mentions, sitting directly across from me, Thom at his side.
"Yeah, I'm alright. Just more embarrassed if anything." I respond, noticing Thom looking more annoyed than sympathetic.
"We tell Ed and Philip not to hang out with those guys, but they don't listen." Thom shrugs.
"They're on our team, Thomas. If I'm not nice to them, I'll get kicked out. Phil too." Ed says bitterly. The blonde flinches at the mention of his full name.
"What about Phil?" Jonny questions, taking the seat next to me. Phil appears suddenly at Colin's side, also asking the same question.
"Ed was trying to justify being friends with the guys who wouldn't leave MJ alone." Thom groans, throwing his hands up in frustration.
"It's not Ed's fault, he's not responsible for whatever his teammates do," I interject, wanting to drop the whole ordeal.
"Thank you, MJ. At least someone gets it." The tallest responds, throwing a weird look at Thom.

"Did you sleep well?" Jonny turns to me and asks, a pleasant change in conversation.
"I slept well, but my back hurt horribly when I woke up."
"Yeah, the mattresses suck, but you'll get used to it." He hums, brushing away the dark hair from his eyes. I shift in my seat, trying to get the pain in my back to leave.
"Why were you guys in the attic? Like how'd you get up there?" I ask, much to Jonny's surprise.
"I dunno if I'm allowed to say, it's like this big secret thing."
"It's not that secret, I mean, I already know where it is." Jonny takes a moment to think, chewing his breakfast slowly. I lean towards him with anticipation.
"Okay. I'll show you." Jonny says, suddenly sitting up.
"Yes!" I sit up too, taking a few steps before Ed grabs my hand.
"Woah, where do you two think you're going?" He questions, reminding me of my father.
"The bathroom, I forgot where it was."
"Okay, hurry back, we're getting our schedules soon." He lectures, finally dropping my hand. Quickly, I run after Jonny, catching up with his pace.

We arrive back at the boys' dorms, and Jonny leads me into the room that Ed, Colin, and Phil share. Once I step inside, he closes the door cautiously.
"You can't tell anyone." Jonny's expression is serious, I nod in response, keeping my mouth shut. Swiftly, he slides open the closet, climbing onto the dresser. I watch as he moves a ceiling panel, scaling up and disappearing into the attic. Following him quietly, I pull myself onto the dresser, looking up into the dark room above. Suddenly, the once-closed door clicks at the knob,  a jumble of voices growing louder. Jonny begins to panic, grabbing my arm and helping me upwards. Just as I reach the attic, the door opens completely, and Jonny hastily slides the panel into place.
"Did we leave the closet open?" Phil questions from the room below.
"I don't think so, do you think Jonny took Mary Jane up there?" I hear Ed's muffled voice suggest.
"I doubt it. Jonny wouldn't go against us." Colin responds, defending his little brother.
"It makes no sense, them being missing and the closet suddenly being open. They have to be up there." Thom says, much to our horror. Footsteps grow close and Jonny begins to panic, motioning for me to follow him. We make it to the entrance into my bedroom, but the bookcase blocks our way inside. A few shitty attempts of moving it later, and Jonny leads me to a particularly dark corner of the attic. I draw my knees to my chest, trying to make myself as small as possible.

"Jonathan!! Mary Jane! You two up here?" Thom calls from the other part of the attic. Instinctively, I gasp. Jonny suddenly cups his hand over my mouth as a means to make me shut up.
"I heard that! Jonny, you are in so much trouble!" Thom cackles, his footsteps growing near.
"Are you certain they're up here?" Colin questions, pulling himself into the attic.
"Swear it. I heard one of 'em."
"Could have been a mouse or something."
"Coz, it was definitely not a mouse," Thom responds, his confidence apparent through his voice.
"Just saying."

"I don't really see how it matters." Colin shrugs, looking deeper into the attic with Thom.
"I mean, she already knows the room is there." He adds, pushing around a few boxes, squinting as he searches through the dark. It's only now I realize that Jonny and I have been holding hands, I think he's far too focused on keeping me quiet to notice.
"Yeah, but for all MJ knows, we got in here normally. Plus, Jonny isn't supposed to tell anyone, no matter the circumstances." Thom hums, clearly protective of their little attic hideout.
"I suppose," Colin starts, before noticing the two of us hidden away. He glances over at Thom quickly, making sure the blonde is distracted before motioning for us to stay silent.
"I don't think they're up here, Thom."
"I'm certain they are, I know what I heard!"
"Maybe they're back at the dining hall now, let's just go," Colin says, practically dragging a frustrated Thom out of the room.

The second everyone leaves, Jonny drops his hand from my mouth.
"I'm sorry, but I really couldn't risk it."
"No it's fine, I understand," I respond, dropping Jonny's hand as I stand up so I can dust myself off.
"We really need to get back."