Nerd // l.h [au] (re-writing)

Chapter 8 ~ "You're Not Even Worth It"

Avalon's P.O.V

"Shit," I groaned as Luke inched further out of the vent. My arm has gone numb from his fingertips digging into the skin on my forearm, but that was the least of my worries. I was the only thing coming between Luke and a ten feet drop. If our roles were reversed, he'd probably let me fall. To be honest, he deserved this, and he deserved for me to let go, but after a mini debate with myself I was going to hold on and be the better person.

"Is there anything you can land on?" I asked. Luke lowered his head and brought it back up, shaking his head.

"Nothing but carpet," he replied, slipping further before he gripped my arm more. I bit my lip, trying to concentrate on keeping him in the vent but it was proving to be difficult.

"What if I lower you down?" I asked, to which Luke's eyes widened.

"Are you crazy?" he questioned. I shrugged my shoulders, causing Luke to slide more so only his shoulders and above were still in the vent.

"Do you have another bright idea?" I said. Luke's fingers dug into my arm and he shook his head. "Then this will have to do. Just trust me, okay?"

Luke looked around the vent before locking eyes with me once more, and nodding his head once. "Alright, okay?" he stuttered. "Just, again, just don't let me go."

I felt my cheeks flush but quickly shook it off and nodded. I inched my way forward, letting Luke steadily fall out of the space. He was almost out when my weight lunged forward, causing Luke and I to simultaneously let out a shriek. He was completely out and my head and shoulders were hanging from the ceiling, but I still had Luke in my grip and he still had me in his.

"Avalon, I'm going to slip," Luke said, although his knuckles were turning white from the way he was grabbing my poor arm. "Let go, I'll be fine," he added. I widened my eyes at him. He had just pleaded with me not once but twice to not let him fall, so I wasn't going to.

"No," I said, shaking my head. "I'm not letting you go."

The vent creaked as the platform I was lying on bent toward the ground. I screwed my eyes closed, waiting to fall, but I didn't. I sigh of relief left my lips as Luke looked up at me with a slight annoyance in his features.

"It's going to break and we'll both get hurt. Let go," he demanded, his grip loosening slightly, but mine didn't waiver.

"Since when do you care if I get hurt or not?" I retaliated, the vent creaking once more. A squeak left my mouth as it drew closer to the ground.

"Damn it Avalon, why won't you let go?" he yelled this time. My hand tightened around his arm in anger as I inched up slightly closer to his face.

"Because you asked me not to let you go and that's what I'm doing. I'm not letting go Luke!" I shouted back. His eyes widened as did mine as the vent finally gave way, causing both me and Luke to crash to the floor. I winced and groaned, lifting myself off of the boy. I heaved myself onto my feet, looking at the mess of the ceiling. Luke groaned, lifting his torso onto his elbows, and stared where my eyes were.

Mr. Gerald poked his head out of his office and met my eyes. "Alright kids, detention over," he smiled before he looked to the ceiling. "What the heck happened?"

I was at a loss for words as I looked to Luke for help. "I don't know," he responded cooly. "We just came out here and it was like that." Mr. Gerald just shrugged his shoulders and went back into his office. I sighed in relief as Luke joined me on his feet. We found our bags at the door, thanks to Mr. Gerald I presumed. I threw my bag over my shoulder and stood in front of the door. I bit my lip anxiously as I spun around to Luke, who was in the process of putting a beanie on. He raised his eyebrows at me, fixing the hat so it hid his perfectly messy quiff.

"Luke," I started, unsure of my next words. "Thank you for the help today, but everything that has happened needs to stay between us. Nobody needs to know anything, and for that reason we can't be friends, okay? So thanks again, and, um, bye," I stated, beginning to walk out of the room when I heard a dry chuckle from behind me.

"Who said I wanted to be your friend?" he questioned, making me turn to him once more. He had that stupid smirk on his face as he took a single step toward me.

"I, I don't know. I guess, I kind of just figured..." I shrugged, Luke interrupting me.

"You figured what? That I'd spend one day with a band freak like you and my whole view on life would just change? You thought I'd want to be friends with a music geek? Me, a football player? Keep dreaming," he laughed. I felt myself cower back into my shell as I met his cold gaze. Amusement and annoyance decorated his features, confirming my thought that he was easy to read.

"Whatever jackass," I scoffed to myself but loud enough so he could hear. One of his eyebrows raised as he leaned down slightly.

"Excuse you?" he asked, using the phrase he used when we were stuck in the band closet.

"I said whatever, you asshole," I spoke louder. "You're not even worth it. All you do is go around with this bravado and you think that you're better than everyone else. I don't need that type of negativity in my life, so I don't even want to be friends with you anyway. Thanks for saving me the hurt," I snapped. I saw the slight pain in his eyes, feeling proud that I hurt his big boy ego. I smirked and turned on my heels, walking straight down the hall before I heard him call after me.

"You know, this is why no one in the school even wants to be your friend. You're such a bitch all of the time and nobody fucking knows why!" he said, causing me to freeze in my tracks. I felt the tears brimming my eyes at his insult, but marched my way straight over to him.

"I guess that's what happens when you close yourself off so dicks like you don't reopen old scars," I whispered, feeling a single tear roll down my cheek. A certain softness came over his face as he attempted to wipe it away, but I pulled myself from his touch.

"Shit Avalon, I didn't mean that. I, I didn't," he started, but it was my turn to cut him off.

"You didn't know. Yeah, I know Luke, I've heard it before. I've heard it all before. But the damage has already been done. Have a nice life, Luke. I'm sure you'll do great once your pedestal breaks, but until then, I can't tell you," I finished, turning around with my head held high, tears rolling down my cheeks, and a little hope that he may chase after me, but some things just aren't meant to be.

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So apparently I never published this?  Lol sorry fam

Anyway...

Too late Lucas, too freaking late. Ugh he makes me so mad why is he such a dick?

Well obviously because he's a stupid football player, that's why.

Actually, not all football players are bad. There's one that one of my best friends is dating and I've been friends with him for years. He's pretty cool, but he's literally the only one. Every other one is an asshole in my school and they don't like or respect the marching band at all. Like okay, you don't have to like us, but we practice for eight hours every Tuesday in the summer, nine hours for two straight weeks in the summer. We're not even required to perform at our team's football games, but we do to support them, and it makes me mad that they don't appreciate that.

Okay, sorry, rant over.

New characters -

None

Songs of this chapter -

Circus For a Psycho - Skillet

If You Can't Hang - Sleeping with Sirens

What Hurts the Most - Rascal Flatts

Question of the Chapter -

What is your all time favorite song?

Answer of the Chapter -

Iris by The Goo Goo Dolls

~Tay

P.S I'm sorry this is so short. Next one will be longer.