Cold and Charisma (BoyxBoy)

Chapter One

I don't think I remember the last time anything's ever gone wrong in my life - I've always had everything I wanted.

Growing up, I was raised in the suburbs of California, in a little town located just outside Los Angeles, with two parents who gave me the best of both worlds. My mom, a professor at the University of Los Angeles, and my father, a retired basketball player, always knew how to incorporate both of their interests into my life.

I've always loved both - studying and sports, but I think my mom's genes overpowered my dad's, because I've always preferred school over anything else.

I wasn't the picture-perfect portrait of a stereotypical nerd– I was anything but that. Standing at a height of six foot, four inches, I could easily have captained the sports teams at my school, but I was never one for the competitiveness of athletics, instead, I preferred to find solace in the comfort of textbooks and math problems.

You would think that would make me an out-cast, pushed aside for my preferences of academia to athletics, but that's where you're wrong.

In fact, my life was a constant parade of praise— from friends, students, and teachers alike. Well-known and well-liked, I effortlessly navigated between jocks and the top students in class, thanks to my personality and appearance.

"C'mon man, I don't get it, why don't you join the football team?" Carter nudged me as we walked down the school halls. "What's the point?" I chuckled, continuing to my locker beside him. "The point? Archer, you're damn good at it. Have you seen yourself when we play in my backyard-"

"Carter," I interrupted with a smile, unlocking my locker, "I play for fun, that's it. I have zero interest in joining your team." This was at least the tenth time he had tried recruiting me. "For fun?! I'd kill to play like you, dude. You're wasting your talent for some dusty old textbooks and a perfect report card."

I raised an eyebrow, still amused. "That 'perfect' report card will get me into a good college, not tossing a ball around." He groaned loudly, rolling his eyes. "Whatever, man, I'm just saying." He shrugged, irritated. I smiled, finding his persistence amusing. "Sneak me a few answers for Mrs. Bradbury's exam, though?" he asked, half-serious.

My grin didn't waver. "Nice try." He banged his locker dramatically, frustrated. "Ugh, whatever. I'm heading to first period. See you later." His footsteps faded as he disappeared into the bustling hallway.

–

The sound of students zipping up their backpacks, and standing up from their desks, drowned out the voice of my teacher, who desperately tried to get our attention. Unlike everyone else, I sat in my seat until she finished whatever she had to say.

"Students, we have a new student who will be joining us at Saint Arthur's tomorrow. I expect you all to give him or her a warm welcome–" She stands up in an attempt to project her voice, "And don't forget to read chapter seven of the assigned book by tomorrow! We will be having a discussion!" It seemed as if no one paid her any attention except for me. As soon as she was done, I stood up from my seat, and walked over to her desk.

"I'd be happy to show them around if necessary, Mrs. Bradbury, you know I love meeting new faces." Her attention diverted to me, a grateful sigh escaping from her lips. "Oh, Archer. No wonder why you're our top student. I think our new student would love that very much." I nod in response, giving her a small smile as I begin to make my way out of the class with the rest of the students.

Once outside of my class, I made my way to the courtyard. "Hey Archer!" My head perks up, and I smile politely, muttering a quick, 'Hi' back to the brunette girl walking past me. "What's up, Archer?" I turned my head to the opposite direction, as I smiled back at another friend of mine. I kept saying hi and making small-talk with some students, before I finally arrived.