A Day in the Life of Fiction (part 1)

The New Kid is Cute and I Hate Him

The bell chimed announcing the start of homeroom. The last of the students filed into the classroom, filling up the seats around me. My fingers messed with the hem of my uniform blazer as I carefully watched the faces of the students.

Something had been bugging me since that morning. All of my senses were on high alert, like something was lurking just around the corner. Almost like something crazy was going to happen to me and my body was wound up, preparing for it. On top of that, for some reason my gut was telling me I shouldn't sit at a window seat, so I got to school early to secure a spot in the front. I don't know why I felt this way, maybe it was just nerves. It was my first day of my last year of high school after all.

But all of the students looked pretty run-of-the mill like any other year, just like me. Nothing special about any of them. I mulled over my thoughts as our homeroom teacher for this year walked in, a young looking man in a crisp but casual suit. He must've been new that year, no teachers that have been in this hole for long enough still dressed so respecfully. My mind was somewhat eased having such a professional aura enter the room. I was just overreacting; it was all in my head. This day was perfectly normal.

"Okay class," the teacher announced in a clear voice that carried easily across the room filled with mild chit-chat. "Welcome to your first day back at Franklin Walter High, I trust you enjoyed your summer vacation. I'm your homeroom teacher, Mr. Adams. I'm new starting this year. It's a pleasure to meet you all."

His greeting was met with an unenthusiastic mumbling of greetings in return. I sighed mentally and couldn't help but smile a little. There was nothing strange about that. Normal students being bored by a normal boring teacher.

"We'll get the first order of business out of the way," he drawled on, shifting through his papers. "Since I don't know any of you yet, when I call your name please stand and—"

"WAIT!" a voice from the hallway called out.

The class turned their heads as a collective towards the door as it suddenly swung open. Standing there in the doorway, panting after having undoubtedly sprinted to make it here, was a boy with the fucking brightest pink hair I'd ever seen. It was short and ruffled and he wore a smile that could probably light the way for a thousand ships lost at sea. His eyes were warm and soothing but somehow simultaneously shone like the stars themselves.

I shook my head briefly. What the hell kind of language was that? What was going on? And what was worse was that my heart jumped so hard at the sight of him it made me sick. I sank into my seat and mentally chanted a string of curses, trying desperately to hold back the heat rising to my cheeks through sheer will power.

"I'm guessing you're the new student. You're late," was Mr. Adams monotone response.

I prayed there wasn't an empty seat next to me.

"Yes, I'm sorry!"

I glanced out of the corner of my eyes to see both seats occupied. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

"It's the first day, just be more careful in the future. Take a seat please."

The undeniable sound of a chair scraping against the hardwood floor made me jerk my head to the right.

"Thank you, sir. It won't happen again," he assured, nodding gratefully.

I looked on in horror as the person to my right gathered up their supplies and packed it into their bag.

"What are you doing?" I whispered in their direction. They glanced at me and narrowed their eyes in disapproval before heading to the front of the class. I strained my ears and listened in as they briefly explained they had read their schedule wrong and were not supposed to be in this class.

"Are you kidding me?" I whispered to myself, getting a glance from the person to my left.

The pink beacon of light made his way to the now empty seat but I kept my eyes glued on the teacher as he finished his explanation of roll call. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Pinkie was stealing glances my way as he sat down.

Shit shit shit shit shit shit.

The class carried on with introductions and I carried on with ignoring the pair of doe eyes trying to get my attention.

"Jaden Anderson?"

I stood up firmly as I heard my name. "My name is Jaden. I have no interests and no skills, please don't talk to me." Just as quickly as I had stood, I sat back down. It was supposed to be an introduction for Mr. Adams but I had to somehow imply to Pinkie that I wasn't interested in whatever it was he thought might happen between us.

Muffled laughter rolled around the room and Mr. Adams nodded slowly. "Greetings... Jaden. Now, let's see..."

I grit my teeth in anticipation. As much as I felt I needed to avoid him at all costs, I was curious as to what name this kind of guy could possibly have.

"Benjamin Smith?"

Such a normal name?!

He practically bounced out of his seat and said in that cheerful tone of his, "You can call me Benny! I just arrived here yesterday from several towns over so I'm not very familiar with this place yet." He turned to the class around him and I averted my gaze. "I hope someone can show me around sometime!"

It was as if I could feel his eyes boring holes into my face as he took his seat. What did I do to deserve this? I just wanted a normal high school life.