A Day in the Life of Fiction (part 1)

The New Kid is a Klutz and I Hate Him

When class was dismissed, you bet your ass my things were already packed and I was practically sprinting for the door. I heard my name called out behind me and my pace quickened.

Just don't look back and you'll be fine.

"Jaden!"

Fuck.

I sped up and heard a sickeningly sweet laugh bubble up behind me.

"Wait! Slow down, you forgot your phone!"

"Not mine," I replied shortly without looking back. But after quickly checking my pocket, I knew it most definitely was.

"What are you talking about," he giggled. "It was on your desk!"

"No, thank you."

"Wait, but—ah!"

He fucking fell didn't he.

I threw back a glance and sure enough there he was on the floor. Passing students glanced down at him before continuing on their way. Kind of rude but, it wasn't like I was obligated to help him either. The whole thing was too cliché for me to handle as it was. No matter how cute he was.

I let out a sputtering sound at my last thought. With new vigor, I forced myself to continue down the hallway. After all, he just tripped so he'd be fine. Surely he'd hand my phone in to the lost and found, he seemed like the type to do that. It was the perfect escape.

And yet.

I took only a few steps before I stopped in my tracks. The soft sound of sniffling reached my ears. A heavy sigh flowed into a groan as I turned sharply and marched to the figure slumped on the ground. It was like my body reacted on its own. My ears and cheeks involuntarily flared up the closer I got to his gently sobbing form.

Stopping in front of him, I shot out a hand. I had to muster every fiber of my inner asshole for the next line, this wasn't some romantic comedy where I was the rough-around-the-edges rebel who gets softened by some pink haired new kid. I had to make sure he knew I had no soft spots.

"Get up," I hissed.

He looked up with tearful eyes at my hand. It was like a legitimate arrow actually shot through my heart. This was bad, really bad. Before I could retract my hand, he was slipping his own into it and a shiver ran up my spine.

This was really fucking bad.

I stood completely still as he hoisted himself up. It was as if I was in some trance. His sparkling eyes stared into mine and I couldn't look away. Was he some kind of wizard? Was I literally under a spell? The way this day was going, I'd probably believe it. I'd never been this flustered in my entire life and we just met! We only knew of each other through indirect introductions, and even then I kept mine impossibly vague.

Not to mention, I never asked for this kind of high school life. Graduation couldn't come fast enough; there were no memories to be had here for me. Graduation and then college was the plan. Nothing to tie me down in this town. Nothing.

Just then the bell rang. My mind came back to reality and I looked down to see we were, in fact, still holding hands. Holding hands for almost a solid three minutes. I pulled my hand away quickly and jumped back like I had been shocked, glancing around to see a completely empty hallway.

"You looked so focused, I didn't want to interrupt," Mr. Pinky, or rather Benny, said with a genuine smile.

Oh, fuck you and your weird generosity.

I reminded myself of the plan. Major asshole, that's who I was. No one would dare fall for an asshole with no redeeming qualities.

Come on, no soft spots. No soft spots. No soft spots. No soft spots.

I took in a quick breath.

"I'll have you know I'm hard as a rock."

I was met with silence, and I closed my eyes as I physically felt my soul leave my body.

"Um—"

I held up a hand.

"That was not what I meant. I'll be going now."

Not daring to fuck up twice, I shuffled down the hallway in silence. No way was I running away like a schoolgirl who had just confessed.

When I finally turned a corner I rubbed my hands over my face, utterly and completely exhausted.

Worst day of my enter life most likely.