Contrary Hearts

Chapter 1: The Devil Wears Pom-Poms

Authors Note: Hiii. This is my first story back from a very, very long hiatus. So, sorry if it's a little clunky, I will become more refined as the story goes on, pinky swearrr. This book touches on sensitive topics such as eating disorders, self harm, and suicidal thoughts. If you are sensitive to this kind of stuff, this may not be the book for you. Anyway, attached is a picture of Ava that I made in Sims lol. I made all the characters thus far, so each chapter I will drop a new one so you have a better visual. Anyway, please enjoy! <3 ALSO PLEASE VOTE COMMENT AND SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS IF YOU ENJOY THIS THANKSSS

My friends giggle behind me as I look in the direction of the new kid, his floppy dark hair hanging around his face, covering his eyes. "Do it," one of the girls whispers, gesturing to him. "Talk to him."

Lexi, the only girl in that group that's not part of the cheer squad, sighs. "Look at him," she says with sympathy, clicking her tongue and shaking her head. "He wants to be left alone. What are you even going to say?"

I shrug, grinning at her. "Hello, do you have a gun in your backpack?" The other girls laugh, causing the new kid to look up. When he sees we're all watching him, he gives us a blank stare before turning back to his notebook, doodling and listening to his music through his earbuds.

I watch him raise the volume on his phone, shifting uncomfortably under our gaze. New Kid pulls his jacket tighter to himself, digging his nails into the palm of his hand, his cheeks now a light shade of pink. Lexi sighs again, turning away from the other girls and myself. After a few more taunts, I finally stand up and make my way towards the edgelord.

"Hi," I say to him, sticking my hand in front of his face. He stares at it for a second, before dragging his gaze up to me. His eyes are piercing and dark, his stare intense. I shift my weight between my feet for a second, before clearing my throat and dropping my hand. "Uh, I'm Ava... You're new, right? I'd just like to welcome you to our school. My friends and I-" I point at my friends, who all wave in sync. "-just wanted to say-"

"Not interested," he cuts me off, going back to drawing on his notebook. I catch a glimpse of what he's doodling: It's a scribble mess, vaguely human shaped. There's a bigger scribble figure, this one less human, it's teeth bared and it's claws massive. When the kid catches me staring, he quickly covers it up, glowering at me. "I feel very welcome. Now, can you leave alone?"

    After a stare down for a second, I take a step back and hold up my hands. "You got it," I respond, grinning a little bit. "Listen, if you need anything-" I lace my fingers together behind my back, smiling at him. Before I can finish again, he stands up. I didn't notice it while he was sitting, but he is tall. His large figure looms over me, his sharp features contorted in frustration. He holds up his hand, shaking his head.

    "Leave. Me. Alone," he says quietly, before walking past me and leaving the classroom. He keeps his shoulders hunched forward as he leaves, almost as if trying to make himself smaller.

    "Milo," Mrs. Thompson calls out after him. She quickly walks towards the door, peeking her head out. "You need to ask to leave!" He's gone before she can finish the sentence, causing our teacher to sigh. She grumbles under her breath about ungrateful kids, before going back to her desk to work.

    Milo. That's his name.

    I sit back down next to Lexi, who shakes her head in disapproval. "That was not nice," she chastises, shaking her finger. Laughing, I bump my shoulder into hers. She can't help but smile, but still rolls her eyes. "If he shoots up the school, I don't know you people, got it?"

    "If?" Riley, one of the other girls on the team, asks. The other girls giggle, and Lexi sighs. "You mean when, right? Kid looks like he's one second from ending it all."