Opposites Attract

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"Maxine, I can't with you." I look at her. The shade from the huge tree covers us. We stare at each other for a good while until she speaks up again. "I can't stand how you just push me around. You used to be so kind. What happened to you?" I look at the ground then back at her. "You know what happened." "No I don't. You just gave me the stupidest explanation and said you're 'traumatized'" She gave me a glare and looked to the side. "I'm no longer staying friends with you because this isn't how friends work." She turns to me and looks me in the eyes. "I guess this is bye now." She looks at the ground, turns around, and walks away. She doesn't look back. I just stand there. I don't look hurt, nor do I cry. But on the inside, it feels like I just lost everything I had. Which I did. She was probably the only thing that made me happy even if I didn't show it. If i called out to her, I would've seemed weak. Instead, I watch her walk away. Once she's gone, I sit down and lay my back against the tree. I then pull my knees to my chest and stuff my face in my knees. I close my eyes and sit there for a long time. When I open my eyes I'm greeted with my ceiling.

I opened my eyes and woke up but didn't jolt awake. I simply sat up and stared at my hands. My eyes made their way up to my wrists to see the slits that were made yesterday. I sigh and stare at them for who knows how long. I eventually get enough energy to get up and out of bed to get ready for school. To be honest, school is horrible, but it's better than home and huge trees. I dragged myself to the bathroom and looked in the mirror. My depressed looking self was staring back at me, surely disappointed, if it could think. I lazily grab my toothbrush, put the toothpaste on, and brush. Next, I get out of the bathroom and randomly grab some clothes out of my dresser. I walk over and sit on my bed. I stretch over and grab some fingerless gloves out of my side table and put them on. I sit on my bed and scroll through my phone. "MAXINE! GET DOWN HERE AND EAT!" I heard my mom yell at me from downstairs, and there's nothing I can do to fight against it. I put on my backpack and slip my phone into my pocket, then step down the stairs. Pulling out a chair, I sit on it and simply take whatever my mom gave me. Today, it was cereal. Doesn't seem much, but I'll take it. "So. About that upcoming test. You better have studied for it." She gave me a stern look and continued cleaning the dishes she was doing. "I have, and I'm gonna study again." She didn't say anything and continued giving me that look, but eventually turned around and focused on the sink. I just looked back at my cereal and continued eating. When I finish, I just give the dish to my mother, which she rolls her eyes at but takes it with force, and leave to go walk to school. I normally walk because my parents refuse to drive me and I don't like the bus because of how loud it is.

Turning the handle, I eventually made it to my school. I'm greeted with the multiple loud students in this school. I cover my ears and just make my way to my homeroom. I open the door to the room, and I immediately have a Katie all up in my face. "Maxine! Hello!" I look at them with an annoyed face. "Katie, quiet down. It's like 7:30 in the morning." I gently shove them out of the way and just sit down at my desk. They sit on top of it and look down at me. "Sorry. I just couldn't contain my excitement. Now, pay up." They put their hand out, and I sigh. I open my bag up and take one of those pop-its out and place it in their hand. They immediately have a huge grin on their face and, within a matter of seconds, become so invested in it, I'm pretty sure they completely forgot where they were and who they are. I roll my eyes and grab a folder and pencil out of my backpack. Taking out a piece of paper out of the folder, and placing the folder on my lap as something to write on, I then began to write whatever came to mind. Katie eventually noticed and leaned over. "Whatcha writing about?" They look at my paper then at me. I shrug in response. "Whatever comes to mind I guess," When I respond, I completely lose my train of thought. I groan and shove the paper back in the folder and stuffed the folder back in my bag. "What's the matter?" Katie asks me. I look at them and give them a glare. "You made me lose my train of thought, you know." They look at me and blink once before shaking their head and smiling. "Oops! Sorry about that." They nervously laugh and I simply give them a glare.

Ever since 1st period, Katie hasn't left my side for what felt like years, which is annoying. They haven't shut up since. 5th period, me and them had science. Again, like every class they have with me, they sat next to me. In the middle of my work, they randomly tap my shoulder. "Maxine." I completely ignore them. They then began poking me in response. It went on like this for about 3 minutes before I look at them. "What?" They smile once they know they have my attention. "You know that project for science?" "Mhm?" "You wanna work on it together?" I look at them with unimpressed eyes. "No." Their smile immediately turns into a frown. "But why? Neither of us have anyone to do it with." I think for a few seconds before asking them "Is it a requirement to do it with someone?" "No, but I have trouble understanding this and I'm asking for your help." I turn my head and look at the table and ponder for another few seconds. I turn back to them and shrug. "Fine. But I'm in charge." They smile again and jump up and down in their seat a bit. I put a hand on their shoulder. "Calm down." They nervously laugh. "Sorry. I'm just excited." "I can tell." I end the conversation with that and focus back on my work.

At the end of the school day, me and Katie were walking to a tree that they suggested we work at. To be honest, I'm not very fond of the idea but it is peaceful so I'll take it. We both sit down underneath the tree's protective shade. Katie was basically pressed up against the tree, completely out of the sun. "What's up with you? Are you a vampire or something?" They look up and laugh a bit. "Nah. I'm just albino so the sun does harm me a bit more than it does you." I hum in response and nod. "I forgot you were albino." They shrug. "It's better than forgetting me in general." I shrug and take my homework out. They do the same. I take my math homework out, they take theirs out. I look at them. "Are you copying everything I do?" They look up at me. "Maybe...?" They nervously smile. I roll my eyes but go back to my work.

A few minutes, specifically about 40 minutes, pass and I see Katie working on the science project. I see them erasing something on it. I can't tell what but for some reason it bothers me. "What are you doing?" They turn to me. "Erasing something we don't need, why?" I glare at them. "You didn't run it by me first?" I snatch it out of their hands and see that most of my work is gone. "Why didn't you ask me first?!" They just sit there awkwardly. "Sorry..." They mumble. "Sorry isn't gonna cut it nor make it better!" I grab their pencil out of their hand, even if I could have used mine, and rewrite everything that they erased. They just sat there, most likely on the brink of tears. I couldn't fully tell because their white hair was mostly covering their face. I ignored it and just continued writing. They could just get over it. It's not like I just told them the saddest thing in the world. I then feel something on my hand. It was Katie, and I would have pushed them off if they didn't start talking. "Maxine. I actually meant I was sorry, and I still am even if you won't forgive me. I promise from now on to ask you if I can change anything before actually doing it, okay?" I feel my face heat up from the contact but it also could just be because of how mad I am. Yeah, it's probably that. I dismissed the thought of liking them in the slightest and simply shrugged and gently pulled my hand away. I just keep writing after that. They smiled a bit. I guess they found out when I wasn't entirely mad at them without saying anything. They pulled their homework back towards them and continued working on it while I worked on the project.

Another few minutes pass and I calmed down a bit. They noticed this and asked me. "So. You know basketball in the gym?" "Yeah? What about it?" They tilt their head a bit with a smile. "Do you wanna be on the same team?" I looked at them and blinked. "You can't shoot for your life." "Yeah, that's exactly why I was wondering if we could be on the same team and you do all the scoring for me!" They smile innocently while, somehow, making their green eye and blue eye gleam more than it does. "Fine. We'll try it for one class and see how it goes." "Yay!" They flick their hands a bit and hug me. "H-hey! Get off me!" I push them off. "Aww. Why?" "You know how I think of physical touch." They perk up and nervously laugh. "Sorry. I forgot about that." I huff. "It's fine." Their eyes widen a bit when they hear 'It's fine'. I look at them. "What? Got a problem with me saying that?" They shake their head. "No, no! I'm just a bit surprised. Sorry again." I sigh "What week do we play basketball in?" I ask. "I think next week." "You think?" "Hey! I can't remember things alright?" I chuckle a bit. "Yeah, yeah. Alright." They then suddenly gasp. "You laughed!" I groan in response. "And now I regret it." "Oh. Sorry." "It's fine. Stop apologizing!" "Sorry- I mean-" "Stop!"