ɪ ʜᴀᴛᴇ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ʏᴏᴜ (Gareth x Reader)

IV

You sat in class, cheek resting on your hand as you attempted to hide the gum you were chewing. Your mind wandered as Mr. Widgers drew on and on about how comprehension levels have gone down in the youth, or something… You lost track of what he was saying about twenty minutes ago. 

Instead, you thought about last period's chemistry test, and how much stress this class was bringing you lately. The whole “getting paired with Mr. Social Outcast” thing wasn’t going to do you too well in the “I hate D&D and don’t know what sci-fi is” act. 

Today, to add on to things, Mr. Widgers had changed the seating arrangement so that everyone in the class sat next to their assigned partners for the project. Luckily, some chairs remained empty, including the one that was seated next to you. It puts your mind slightly at ease, as having to be face to face with Gareth could be a problem for later in the week. 

Then, your thoughts shattered as a knock sounded at the door. The boy who sat closest went to open it, revealing none other then the man of the hour, Mr. Gareth Emerson. Your face flushed, all the color receding and a pit filling your stomach. Guess you would have to deal with this today, huh?

Gareth walked in, his demeanor cold and his face in a resting frown. Your eyes trailed up and down him, taking in his chestnut curls, black jacket, red flannel vest, and dirtied converse. Your heart was in your throat at the sight of your D&D shirt, something you would have to pretend to be disgusted by. He looked back at you, and as soon as you made eye contact, you pulled away like an ashamed puppy. His face got harder, resentment filling it at the sight of you. 

He turned to Mr. Widgers briefly, a short, “sorry I’m late,” earning an erupting giggle from the class. 

“S’alright, son. Now please go take a seat,” he answered, motioning towards everyone else. Gareth nodded, trudging along towards the back of the rows. He glanced at you, a sickening look filling his face. 

Eventually, he slumped in a seat back there, spewing his belongings atop the desk. Mr. Widgers, glanced at him, pausing his lesson once again. Everyone else did too, including you. 

Gareth furrowed his eyebrows, confusion written along his face as his eyes scanned around, “what?” he loudly asked. 

"Mr. Emerson," Mr. Widgers started, playing with the chalk in his hands, "I think you have a perfectly fine seat right there," he pointed next to you, "wouldn't you agree?" 

Gareth glared at him exasperatingly for a brief moment, before shrugging and mumbling a quick, “fine.” He picked up his things, sauntering begrudgingly over to you, and tossing the things atop the desk so they’d slam. It earned a fair couple of snickers, and you just caved in on yourself as he threw himself down, spreading his legs and laying his right arm across the back of the chair. More giggled, and Mr. Widgers just let out a deep sigh, choosing to not comment and continue on. 

After a moment, Gareth turned towards you, a bit of both annoyance and hatred in his eyes. He scanned up and down you, before looking you right in the eyes and having the audacity to whisper, "since it seems as though we're gonna have to spend a lot of time together, I just thought you should know that I really, really hate cheerleaders."

You blinked, taken aback, "excuse me?"

"You heard me," he spat, smirking. He leaned in, fire and pride in his eyes, echoing, “you heard me.” He then turned away from you, slumping back in his chair and pretending to focus back on Mr. Widgers. You did the same, now an awkward feeling in you. He pretended like you weren’t there for the rest of the class. 

-

As Gareth was packing up the rest of The Hideout (AKA his repurposed garage), everyone else kept chattering on about things he didn’t pay much mind to. Eddie was talking about his uncle spending too much time at the bar again. Jeff was complaining about being picked on today, some of the Basketball team doing whatever to him. And Dougie complained about how his parents kept pestering him to start losing some weight. 

As Gareth was nearly done putting everything in its place, Eddie came up to him, putting a hand on his shoulder. This drew Gareth to face him. 

“Hey, man,” Eddie started, a weak smile on his face, “what’s new with you?"

Gareth huffed, "nothin' much," he answered, turning back to umplugging the amps. "I probably failed this chemistry test, that's about it, though."

Eddie hummed in response, crossing his arms, "yeah... uh, what's new with that... with that cheerleader?”

Gareth shot up, turning a light shade of pink. He shook his head, “listen, man, I don’t wanna think about it right now, okay? I wanna enjoy a no-stress evening. No. Stress.”

Eddie put his hands up in defense, “alright, sheesh… I was just checking man…” 

Dougie’s ears perked up, him and Jeff tuning into the conversation. “Cheerleader?” Dougie asked, adjusting his guitar case. Jeff raised an eyebrow, “what, did Gareth finally get a girlfriend?”

Gareth’s face reddened more, “god, in your wildest fucking dreams, Jeff. I would never even fucking think about dating someone that shallow and closed-minded,” he replied, turning away and scoffing. 

Eddie rolled his eyes, “he got paired with Y/N for some partner project Mr. Widgers is doing this year in place of his normal final. He’s kinda worked up about it.” 

“And I’m just hearing about this now… because?” Jeff said, a teasing smile spreading across his face as he crossed his arms. 

Jeff was Gareth’s main man, they’d been through a lot together. Sure, sometimes they didn't have the time to always hang out, but they told each other everything. And I mean everything. They'd been friends since Middle School, Dougie coming in along the way, and them all finally meeting Eddie as they reached high school. Real tight-knit group here.

Eddie pat Gareth on the shoulder, Gareth pushing him away, nearly yowling at him like a cat. Eddie put his hands up in defense once again, before stuffing them in his pockets and walking towards the others. 

He turned back, “hurry up, alright? You still gotta let your sister know where we’re going.” Eddie pointed behind him, towards his car. Tonight they were going for pizza and shakes, to celebrate the gig they just landed.

Gareth hummed back, trying to push all the thoughts that raced through his mind away.

God, English this year was a real killer.