𝐁𝐀𝐃 𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐀 | ❝ i wish you could see yourself the way i do... ❞
━ After Y/n L/n courageously intervenes to defend the enigmatic and troubled Connor Murphy from a pair of bullies, her brave act lands them both in detention, where their paths in...
As the team Y/n was saddled with got into position, the h/c-haired girl turned her attention toward Connor. She kept her gaze on him from her spot, luckily, he decided to stand beside her. And trying up a conversation, she said, "Your parents seem nice." He didn't respond to her. If anything, Y/n wasn't entirely sure if he even heard her.
After a moment of silence, Connor finally notices Y/n's gaze on him and blinks rapidly, "You talking to me?"
"O-Oh." She stammered once he said this. Y/n had a frog in her throat and she had to clear her throat several times before she could answer. "Um, yes..." she trailed off. "I was just trying to say that your parents are nice." Albeit small talk, at least they were talking. That's a much better improvement than sitting in the dullness of silence.
Connor tensed at her words for she did not how they truly were — how could she? She was nothing more than a guest. "They'll be happy to hear that you think that you're perfect." He said through clenched teeth. His family, much like any other, always wanted to be perceived as the cookie-cutter family when they were far from it.
"Y/n!" Looking off to the side, the h/c-haired girl could see her small grouping of friends staring at her as if she had grown two extra heads.
A bit confused, "What?" Y/n replied, her gaze frantically moving to focus on the team on the other side of the net— as the game was about to start— and her friends. Are they praying for her downfall or something? She can't afford to have any distractions or else she risks her team getting mad at her.
"What are you doing?" One of her friends asked. Y/n didn't know what she was talking about first until she pointed to Connor who was, luckily, not paying attention to what they were talking about.
Finally realizing that they were just trying to find yet another excuse to shit talk Connor, Y/n rolls her eyes and ignores them which — as expected — is followed by more harshly whispered comments by her friend group.
"Hey! What's the matter?"
"C'mon, N/n, don't be like that."
"Are you coming to Lindsey Wilson's party tomorrow or not?"
Having had enough talk of this party, Y/n lets out a small aggravated sigh. "Sorry, I have plans." She ultimately decides to lie through her teeth. Even though she may not be going, it doesn't mean Y/n has to be completely useless. She could still be their designated driver. She could still stay home in case one of them calls and needs a ride.
"They seem persistent." A small, weak chuckle came from Connor.
"Yeah, to say the least." Y/n agreed with a small sigh. "So... how's it going?" She slowly shifted the spotlight off of her questionable friend group and back onto Zoe's brother.
"Uh, it's alright. You?"
Y/n opened her mouth to answer but before she could ever dream of replying, her friends on the sidelines harshly whispered, drawing attention and leaving her eyebrows furrowed.
"What's she doing talking to him?"
"Seriously, she can't be that desperate for attention."
Y/n, catching wind of their comments, rolled her eyes and chose to ignore them. Then, breaking her out of her thoughts, was the sight of the opposing team serving the ball. She and Connor found themselves working together surprisingly well. Well, when the ball at least came to their corner. There wasn't much to do in this area.
The ball sailed back and forth, and Y/n and Connor managed to hold their ground, contributing decent plays. It wasn't great nor was it bad. It was just... good. Despite the successful teamwork, her friends continued their hushed criticisms.
"I can't believe she's actually playing with him." One rolled their eyes.
"Probably trying to be some kind of savior or something."
Y/n, determined to rise above the negativity, kept her focus on the game. She wasn't trying to be some white knight to come to Connor's rescue. Right now, she just wants to try and talk to him, so things aren't so awkward around them. She could do well without not knowing what was going on in that head of his. It was hard to make out what he was thinking at times. Soon, the match concluded with a sense of accomplishment, leaving her friends to mumble their disapproval.
"Well, she can't deny he's a weirdo."
Y/n, overhearing their comments, simply shook her head, realizing that sometimes, it's better to ignore the noise. She can't wait for the weekend. She, just like anyone else here, could use a break from this hellhole.
//////
this chapter is so short, so you all have my deepest apologies, but on the bright side of things: the next two chapters are going to be, i think, my favorite chapters in the entire book.
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i'm so excited and i hope all of you are enjoying the book so far.
