Pastel Punk [Phan] ♡ HIATUS

Chapter Five

❀ Chapter Five ❀

Completely disregarding the fact that I had left my satchel in the Chemistry classroom and illegally cutting class was totally against the rules, I rushed out the school doors, brushing hot tears off my face and trying not to trip over my own two feet. However, I stopped in my tracks about three steps after exiting the double doors.

I had absolutely nowhere to go.

My keys were in the building, I couldn't walk anywhere, and I definitely could not go back into that hellish building without completely breaking down. I looked left and right, surveying my options. To the left was a large hill on campus, totally out in the open. To the right was a narrow cobblestone path leading to some bushy trees.

I opted for the latter.

Before I could talk myself out of it and change my mind, I dragged my feet across the pebbled path towards the trees. The dewy grass squished under my lilac canvas shoes and I prayed they wouldn't stain with mud. I sat under one of the largest trees, leaning against the bark and letting my eyes flutter closed. I plugged in one earbud and switched it to Muse's Panic Station, instantaneously relaxing.

I sat there for a while, beyond hearing second period end and third period begin, listening happily to sick drumbeats and killer bass lines. I was so, so worried about what was going to happen, so angry at Phil and his friends for getting me into this mess, angry at my English teacher for assigning this essay, for the old man who founded this school in the first place, the list goes on.

However, nothing disturbed me for once, the endless worries and scenarios simply melted away in that brief moment in time, and I knew I didn't have to think about anything for at least a little while longer, which was oh, so great-

The dull thudding of boots against cement startled me out of my peace and I opened my eyes to find Phil and his cronies coming from around the school building. They were walking in a preschool-fashion line, hands shoved in their worn-out studded jackets and various expressions on their faces. Vinnie had a smoky cigarette between his fingers, and Nolan had a small flask he was shoving into his coat pocket, which I presumed to be some sort of alcohol.

But I didn't really pay attention to that, as totally illegal and disgusting alcohol was. I kept my eyes intently focused on Phil, like I couldn't peel them away. Before I knew what I was doing or could even register I was moving in my brain, I was shooting towards him, top-speed, steaming like a boiling pot of spaghetti.

Jesse spotted me, and he offered a million-watt smile. "Oh, hey, Dan!" He waved cheerily. "Hey, why are you so running so fast? Dan?"

I didn't respond. I didn't really hear him. My eyes were padlocked on Phil.

"You..."

"...Idiot!" I screeched maniacally, barreling like a bullet train into him. He looked surprised when I crashed into him in a fit of rage and winced when I slammed him against the school's brick wall and grabbed his shirt. Our faces were a mere foot apart and I could practically see the flecks of lemony yellow in his eyes.

"Hey, girlie... Calm down!" He raised his voice when the air previously knocked out of him returned. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

I glared at him, but then I remembered I wasn't a violent person and let go of his shirt, taking a shaky step back. I wiped my hands nervously on the seat of my pants. "Uhh- sorry, I don't know what came over me," I stammered over my words.

"Shit, that hurt like hell," Phil cursed, rubbing a spot on the back of his head. "Slow down next time, Jesus!"

"I-I'm sorry," I stuttered, darting my eyes to my toes. "It's just- ooh, I'm so angry at you! I'm in big trouble now, because you had to go and 'strike fear into a few people's hearts'!"