I Hate Everything About You

Chapter 1

This fic is named after Three Days Grace's song Everything I Hate About You.

IRIS' POV:

Every part of me hated Barry Allen. He was by far the most arrogant, self-absorbed alpha male there was on the planet. Or at least in my neighborhood. When we were little we use to play together in each other's backyards, have occasional sleepovers when one of our parents had to work late. It wasn't unusual for us to be inseparable. Ten years later and we hardly talked to each other. That was mostly my fault. I'd given up on him when he needed a friend the most. Back then I didn't really know how to be there for someone who constantly pushed me away. So I gave up on us. On him. I couldn't really blame him. I lost my mom, too. My dad and I just had a better system than Henry and Barry. My dad took me to family counseling early on, I was forced to talk about how mom's death felt. Henry was doctor, but he didn't believe in counseling.

Over the years I attempted to rekindle the friendship we once had, but thanks to Barry's mutual hatred of me that kind of hindered my progress. Eventually, school and my social life got in the way and I couldn't be bothered any longer. I didn't have time to pursue anything that wasn't worth my time. Besides, his cult followers who thought he was "the man" made it hard to get him alone. And Barry being the stereotypical jock, he kind of had the perks that came along with popularity. The girls, the party king status, the big cheese on this high school campus. Believe me, he had the big cheese attitude to match.

Whenever he saw me when he was alone he'd pretend he hadn't, when his followers were around he'd made a teasing joke at my expense. At first, I thought he was being playful, but then the jokes started hitting home for me in a way that made it clear he meant to inflict pain.

So naturally, when my used grey 2005 Honda Civic ended up in the shop for a few touch ups and my dad wasn't answering my calls Barry's had to be the only car on this side of the lot. I tried my dad's again with no luck. With a huff I started the trek home. What was a dozen blocks in the flattest sandals ever made? Damn Charlotte Russe! But for real, I'd probably be back there when my next direct deposit hit.

I pulled my Wal-Mart bought burgundy leather jacket tight as I folded my arms across my chest, my black purse slung on my left shoulder. I made it a block before the first rain drop hit me in the eye, I wiped the wetness away, but that only made my eyes itch. How unfortunate was I to have no mother and allergies? I mean, the universe was a cruel puppet master, but come on.

An all too familiar red Toyota pickup slowed to a crawl beside me. I refused to look over even if his eyes were burning holes through my resolve.

"Get in."

Silence was the best way to shut someone out. That's what I stuck with, a high head and silence as the rain picked up.

"Come on, it's about to storm."

No amount of rain would break my spirits enough to ever get into a car with Barry Allen. The thought of him alone made me want to pull my hair out, which I was now going to have to blow dry and straighten before I headed to work. The hurtful comments over the years stuck with me and just because his mom died didn't mean he could be a jerk. Me getting in the car with a jerk was a no go.

"Joe will kill me if you die from pneumonia."

I really wanted to tell him to blow me, but that wasn't good enough and I didn't have the energy or will to fight with him now. Or ever.

"Iris!"

My head snapped in his direction, forgetting how attractive he was, I blushed when I met his gaze. "Would you leave me alone?"

"You'll get sick." He almost sounded concerned.

My eyes couldn't roll hard enough. "I'd rather die of pneumonia than endure a ten minute ride home with you, Barry." I gave him a dirty look before stalking down the road.