ugly duckling

new friends and strange encounters: an end to the day

It was all a lie, being too tired for snacks? As if.

you carry your haul with you as you sneakily escape the hustle of the school event, too much was going on and after such an embarrassing exchange with the architecture department, you figured you deserved a respectful amount of time of hiding and munching on your own.

You're smiling as you run away, almost humming a tune as you enter the parking lot, slotting yourself between two cars, your uniform coat under you to help with any rubbing against pebbles and the rough pavement.

you sigh, feeling accomplished before nabbing your first treat. 'It's been a while since I got a moment to myself during school time, usually, nowadays I'm being followed or dragged around by Daniel or Mira.

the mere fact you had people so close to you now was a blessing, but a tiring one nonetheless. you prop your phone on a rolled-up treat, letting a show run as you rest on your tummy, watching it with increasing excitement

You are so comfortable here in this parking lot, by yourself, that you almost pass out. On your 3rd snack, you roll over, stretching as you breathe in the clear air and absorb any sunlight you can gratefully.

'I didn't bring my backpack so I don't have my blanket, this will do for now'

You slowly drift into the deeper parts of your mind, ready for this long-awaited nap when a voice clears your brain fog

"Thank you..." the familiar voice starts. what he says next is muffled until a girl's voice cuts in

"What was so wrong with the other girl?" she starts coldly "You think your hot shit?"

your eyes pry open slowly 'Harsh...' you think to yourself, certine you've landed yourself between some weird couple's argument. Sitting up and crawling to the edge of the car you unintentionally hid behind. when you see the duo, your eyes widen realizing the familiar voice was because Daniel was the one being scolded. he looks at the girl, whose back is facing you, in shock and unsure what to say

"I think you're mistaken" she continues, huffing as she crosses her arms under her chest "I didn't buy you because I like you, I'm here on business"

with an almost audible roll of her eyes she turns to walk away, "god, why does he want me to keep an eye on you" so disgusted she looks almost green in the face

a car pulls up between them, a man stepping out in flashy shades and an even flashier bright yellow dress shirt. he opens the door for her smoothly, the two don't even look at each other as the man observes Daniel with a face you can't see.

"W-wait!" your friend calls out suddenly, reaching for the girl

you tsk at the boy when you see his hand get grabbed by the girl's bodyguard, 'stupid, that's not how you get a girl's attention' you think light heartedly

"that's enough," the scary man says, his voice a deep barton "who do you think you're trying to touch?" despite his tough exterior you pick up a familiar hint of boredom in his voice

"let go!" daniel shouts, sounding frantic for a reason you couldn't understand.

despite your awkward angle, you can sense the surprise surrounding the group. still unsure of what to think you ignore the strange rolling feeling in your gut, a sensation acquainted with that of a heavy rock sitting in the base of your chest, sinking slowly.

"this punk..." the man mutters, tense with an air of growing confidence

your eyes almost miss the sudden attack the man throws at Daniel, his leg aiming for his face with little less than the urge to make him bleed. you can't hold yourself back from yelping when your senses catch up to you and you witness your friend get cuffed hard in the side of his neck.