ugly duckling

serpent dream

Vasco walks you home without any more of a fuss. the next day you learn from Vasco himself that he had gotten lost on his way back to the school, and Jace had to pick him up which, in all honesty, you weren't expecting but they were best friends for a reason.

the two of you are not yet close buddies but are definitely on the way to becoming friends. unlike Mira, Daniel, and even Zack, you didn't have the honor of seeing the buff fellow every day.

the day after the festival, Daniel shared with you that the rumors you heard on your way to class were correct. the boy had been scouted by O.K company, a music label that sponsored and signed with some well-known idols, a situation that seemed the most uncomfortable by his retelling

"Duke had every right to be mad at me but... he wasn't..." he tells you after you ask, confirming the upsetting outcome

they don't talk about it during lunch that day or ever again, you think. That made sense since Daniel hated upsetting his friends and Duke was probably still sore on the matter. now, 2 days later and on a fresh Monday you walk into class with Mira, arms interlinked, with Zack striding behind you two almost protectively

'Of Mira' you think jokingly, listening to Mira talk about her weekend cutely 'The day he's protective over anything that isn't her, much less me, is the day hell freezes over'

"-but the best part was the fact that the kids all started having fun!" she finishes brightly, sliding open the classroom doors as she retells the story of her church outing

you smile back at her happily, glancing into the direction of Daniels seat only to halt in your spot, confusion melting your joyful expression

Mira notices your pause and looks in the same direction as well, frowning when she sees the culprit of your hesitance

"What's the hold-up? I'm trying to sit down..." Zack says behind you, snapping you out of your thoughts with a small apology, you part ways with Mira to let the boy in. Zack is quick to notice the source of your discomfort, huffing from his nose, adjusting his backpack which was slung lazily over his shoulder "Great... it's Yui"

Mira settles her hand on your shoulder giving you a piece of her warmth to soothe your nerves "Should I tell her to go to her seat?" she says softly, glancing between her and back to you

you shake your head, smiling nervously "N-no... I'm sure she's just being friendly. Besides I don't think she'll do anything to upset daniel" you break eye contact with he to look at your other friend who happily engages conversation with the girl you'd rather not interact with "why do you ask?"

Mira suddenly looked antsy "Well it's pretty well known about what happened between you guys last semester... the whole Vin Jin picking on you?" you'd prayed she wouldn't bring it up but Mira being who she was, a very contentious girl, was not going to give you that pleasure

"yea but..." you sigh, closing your eyes "That's all the past, right? At this point everyone knows Daniel is good friends with a lot of 'ugly nobodies' so maybe she's changed! Forgive and forget or whatnot" you state optimistically, walking away from your friend and to your seat. Mira takes the chance to admire your back, despite her ire at your words, she feels amazed that despite your clear hesitance on the matter you continue despite your wobbling knees towards the girl with the jewel eyes.

you don't look back at her as you arrive at your desk, yui is sitting on the surface as she giggles easily at something Daniel has said

"excuse me? That's my spot" you say softly, losing your nerve when she looks at you blankly.

in a split second, you remember all the things she had said about you last semester. following the 'Vin Jin' incident, many people started picking on you on the down low, Yui being one of the biggest culprits. since she was popular with the boys and the internet for her streaming on paprika she had encouragement for the bullying and even enabled it when she got bored.