The Electrifying Tale of Grey Kittens and Blue Squids

Chapter 1: Charlie

I tapped my fingers against my thigh until I heard my name. I stood carefully, and I kept my eyes glued down at my feet as I walked up. I walked across the stage carefully. Carefully making sure I didn't make eye contact. Carefully making sure my head stayed down. There were gasps and murmurs as I crossed. I took my diploma, shook irrelevant dude's hand, and sat down in my assigned seat. I stared down at my lap, and I started subtly picking at the skin around my nails. "Just ignore them. They suck," I heard a quiet whisper, and I looked up. I had seen him around at school before. He wasn't a popular kid, but he wasn't hated or anything. Pretty well liked, probably. I'd seen him in most of my classes, so either he wasn't a total idiot or he was really good at cheating. "You still look beautiful. And congratulations," he added, and I rolled my eyes. There it was.
"Whatever," I looked back down to my lap. I knew better than that. There were always the ones who are outright with how much they despise you. There were always the ones who were sneaky bitches about it. And then there were these ones. The ones who pretended to be nice, just to screw you over later. They were the worst ones. I could deal with getting in fights. I could deal with getting made fun of. But I despised the ones who acted like they weren't like the rest. The ones who acted like they cared. Then turned on you, used that one moment of weakness just to screw you worse. The blackmail, the lies, I couldn't take it. It hadn't happened much, but screw me once, you're an arse. Screw me twice, I'm an idiot. I focused intently on my black, velvety dress, the obnoxiously bright red gown, how pale the bottom of my thighs and hands were, and zoned out through the rest of the idiotic ceremony.

I stood once we were allowed, and felt an unexpected hand on mine. I flinched hard and looked up, and I furrowed my brows when I saw Curly Blond holding my hand.
"What are you doing?"
"Do you have anyone here for you?" I didn't say anything, I just nodded silently. Phil had insisted on coming, even though I thought this was pointless to even go through. Let alone come when you have the option of not. Congratulations, given the option a few years prior, you were allowed to drop out. But you didn't, and even if you got all D's you graduated. What a sacred celebration for such minimal effort required. I let the boy help me offstage, and I pointed to where Phil was. I walked over with his assistance and tugged my hand away once we got there. I didn't want his 'help' or pity or whatever compelled him, nor did I need it.

Phil wrapped his arms around me, and I, of course, flinched at the touch. I hesitantly hugged him back.
"Congratulations, Charlie," he rubbed my back slowly, and I just stayed perfectly still. "You have your things?"
"Yeah, I ditched my backpack in a classroom. I'm ready." He was taking me in. He knew there was something wrong with my home life. I hadn't told him a word, but he decided a while back that I would come with him after graduation. I really couldn't complain. I didn't want to go back home to him. I saw Curly with some pretty redhead girl, and a brunet man with scruff. I turned my back on him and walked out with Phil before he could say anything to us. We found my backpack, and I sat down on a bench in the courtyard for a moment. I could walk normally for the most part, but it was painful. Not terribly, but it hurt enough. I always ended up spraining my ankles.
"I'm going to grab you a bottle of water, okay?" He sounded concerned and I shook my head. I didn't need him worrying about me so soon.
"I don't need one," I sighed.
"I'm getting one anyway. Okay?"
"Fine. I'll be here," I shook my head. I watched him go, and went back to picking at the raw skin. I unintentionally never let it heal. I fidgeted with it more times a day than I ever realized. I never noticed, usually, unless someone pointed it out.

I felt someone standing over me, so I looked up. "You're back." The distaste was clear in my voice and I could see his jaw clench. I had to force myself to not roll my eyes. God. I just wanted to leave, but no.
"My name's Tate, Tate L-"
"I know. They just read your name half an hour ago." I did know. I didn't care enough to refer to him as it though, even in my own thoughts. And because he was clearly Category #3, he didn't really deserve to be referred to by name. If they didn't want to use me for anything other than entertainment, they didn't deserved to be treated like real people with feelings. If I wasn't to them, they certainly weren't to me.
He tried again, "I haven't seen you before at-"
"I know. I transferred here around a month ago." I could see he was trying to not get annoyed- to show he was annoyed, that was- but that seemed to surprise him a little. Obviously. I knew he hadn't seen me before, I made a point not to be noticed. And besides, the twats had a few people that they payed special attention to. I wasn't the only one.
"Why did you join so late?"
"My father's job," my disgust was subtle, years of hiding it, but it was still there. He seemed to notice the discomfort. "Are we done?" I couldn't stop the eyeroll this time. He was obnoxious. That's when his cheeks did get red, but it was pretty clearly not in a good way. I couldn't care less than I already did, though.
"You know, you don't have to be so shitty about this. I'm trying to be nice, I'm trying to help, what the hell is your problem?" He finally snapped, but his tone was soft enough to not make a scene. I stood up and crossed my arms.
"My problem is you're annoying. Fuck off," I rolled my eyes. "I don't need your help. Or anyone's, frankly. Thank you, goodbye now."
"Excuse me for trying to be nice, god. You really are a b..." He stopped himself, and it looked like he tried to collect himself. I didn't give him that opportunity.
"Mhm, I am. Whatever you were gonna fill in the blank with, I am. Guaranteed. So go ahead, drop the act, and get away from me." I looked up at the tall prick with lifeless eyes.
"Did someone break your heart?" His voice was mocking suddenly as he looked me over. "Was it daddy, hm? Did Daddy break your heart?" My hand instinctively went to my neck and lightly traced the scar. I knew he was just like the others. I knew it. Just playing a game for his own personal entertainment.
"No. That would require a heart, which I don't have," I stated coldly.
"Clearly. You're really just like all the rest, aren't you? Pathetic as them all?"
"And you're," I was stumbling over my words some as I stepped closer. That was uncommon for me, but I didn't even realize it. I crossed my arms across the chest and they bumped against his slightly, "a piece of shi-" And all was dark.