You're A Mess, Tangled With Your Confidence

Acquaintance

I sat impatiently in my desk as the clock seemed to loudy tick in my ears. I had to keep checking the clock, making time seem to go by so much slower. I internally groaned as the literature teacher went on about Shakespeare and his plays. I had already read a majority of them and re-reading them just seemed like torture. I thought of Dirk and of Jane. It was kind of funny, considering they seemed to be complete opposites. I was suddenly jolted out of my thoughts from my phone vibrating in my pocket. I checked it and sure enough, it was Dirk. I checked to make sure the teacher wasn't paying attention then unlocked the screen. A moment of hesitation went through me as I was about to open the text. I hadn't seen him all day. I wonder where he's been off to. Maybe it's nothing important, maybe not. A 50/50 chance. Just as I realized I was procrastinating I opened the message before deciding to second guess myself any longer. 

'Hey Jake, I might be a bit late for school. I ran into some trouble. . .but nevermind that mess. But I'll text or call you when I can meet up with you or something.'   Trouble? Not knowing what he meant by that, I decided to push it to the back of my mind. I was at least happy he decided to get a hold of me rather than just blanking me like he used to. I began to type. 

'Don't worry about it chum. You can always tell me if you need help with anything, you know, if that means anything. I'll keep my phone on hand to hear from you.' After sending it I found myself twirling locks of my hair with my left hand. I casually moved my right hand which held the phone under my desk to avoid any more attention. I glanced down at the screen again, chewing on my lip. It vibrated yet again. 

'Nah, I think this is something I can do on my own. But thanks for being a bro about it. Text you later.'  I slightly cringed at the bro part. Of course he didn't know how I felt since I kept it so hidden but I would have rather been slapped in the face. I glanced at the time before locking my phone again. 10 more minutes of class to go. I slid my phone back into my pocket, remembering again that I was messing with my hair. I seriously needed to stop with that. I brushed a lock of my dark hair back into place. Suddenly feeling a pair of eyes watching me, I curiously glanced around the room to find a few girls staring at me. I slumped back a bit into my chair, wanting to cringe. I knew my face was probably a bit red but I wasn't used to attention considering I lived on a remote island my entire life. I gathered my stuff after seeing class was about to end. The class stirred as everyone prepared for passing period and the lesson for today had ended. I slung my messenger bag across my chest, then loading my book and notebook into it. I slightly felt bad that I hadn't payed too much attention. The bell rang and I walked out along with the other students. A girl who had been in the same class came up and walked with me and I gave an awkward smile. I had no idea what to do in these type of situations. 

"Hey, Jake was it?" she asked, tilting her head at me. I then nodded, scratching the back of my neck. She was shorter than me and had long dark brown hair and dark blue eyes. I noticed she wore a black shirt with a number 8 on it, like the pool ball. I hadn't really noticed her before. 

"Yep, that's me. Hello by the way." I said and she stared at me for a few seconds. She noticed I saw this and blushed. 

"Sorry I don't mean to stare it's just, your accent." she explained, and I nodded again. I averted my eyes for a moment. 

"Yeah sorry, it's not something you hear regularly I suppose. It isn't annoying you is it?" I asked apologetically. My accent was something that I personally didn't like about myself. She quickly shook her head.

"No, not at all! It's just exotic. . . .I'm Vriska by the way. Vriska Serket."