"Listen, I've got a proposition for you," Azure's firm voice flew across the soft wind of the graveyard, "something mutually beneficial."
Elliot stepped back slightly, "I doubt that."
Azure stepped closer and the street light flickered; he the...
"Alright. I don't want to have to look out for you too," she grinned. "Chris is bad enough."
"Wouldn't dream of it."
"Okay, and tell me if you need help with Azure or the like."
"I will," Elliot laughed.
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Friday, October 2nd, 2020
Azure hadn't been at school for the rest of the week. It was already Friday and a new month: October.
He also "forgot" to mention that the placements were released today.
Shivers traveled down his spine as he walked towards the billboard during lunch.
It's just a score... It's just a score.
Azure's annoying smirk flashed in his mind. '30th's too low for you?' Elliot shook his head.
If I'm not first, hopefully I'm top 20 at least.
It was confirmed he'd slipped out of first place before he even got there as some students gossiped.
"Devon finally beat Elliot!"
"Really?"
A resigned sigh escaped. But even if he wasn't first, at least Devon was. Although he didn't know Devon personally, it seemed that he was at least nicer than the others.
As he waded through the crowds to finally reach the billboard, some guys snickered. What now?
"I can't believe he always got first place."
He took a deep breath to ignore them.
Once he got to the billboard he began looking for his rank.
It's not a big deal. He repeated to himself.
...But this is the only thing you're good for.
It's okay. He shook his head.
'I'm sorry—' The words echoed in his head.
Soon, despite himself, each line he went down, a shard of glass began carving itself deeper into his chest. His heart beat grew louder and louder as he got lower and lower.
All the events from the previous week came rushing back to him like a flood.
The whispers of the surrounding kids grew simultaneously incoherent and louder. The shadows around him soon stretched as they did a twisted waltz, as if to taunt and remind him that he could never compare to everyone else.
