Guns & Roses (WATTYS 2017)

sixteen - exes & ohs

But you won't see a castle --- you cannot find your prince

~Paramore

"You have got to be kidding me." I groan to Esther, gently banging my forehead against the blue stall wall. 

As if I needed another source of stress in my life. 

"I mean, it's not like you have to worry about it too much." Esther says from the outside of the stall. 

I hurriedly pull off yesterdays clothes and pull on the black leggings that she brought me. They're slightly too big around the waist, and they are far too long for my legs, but I make it work. I finish up, pulling the grey and large sweatshirt over my head. 

"Esther, some girl just came up and threatened me. I'm pretty sure that calls for some concern." I say matter-of-factly, exiting the stall and moving over to one of the white cracking sinks, splashing water over my face. 

"It's not like her threat had any ground though, since you and Vincenzo basically hate each other."

"Yeah." I say dully, desperately wanting a change of subject. "How do I look?" I say, holding my arms out to my sides. 

Esther's brown contacts scan me up and down, and she covers her red lips with her hand, covering a giggle. 

"Like an inmate." 

"Perfect." I giggle, rolling my eyes. 

"We better meet up with Zeke and Troy, they'll start to think we died in here." She says, grabbing my arm and we walk together back to my locker. 

Zeke's eyes widen as he takes in the clothes, and Troy just bursts out into silent gawfawing. 

"You our new school mascot?" Troy jokes, wiping fake tears from his eyes. 

I slap him lightly on the arm, the sleeve of the sweatshirt flinging forward and far past my hand. 

"Come on, it's not that bad." Esther says, a laugh hidden behind her reassurance. 

"Hardy Har, laugh it up." I roll my eyes, and push Zeke slightly to the side so I can open my locker. 

"So, Katya, how's Vincenzo?" Zeke jokes, leaning against the locker next to mine and ducking his head down slightly. 

"I wouldn't know." I say, slightly too sharply. "My dad just made him drive me to school cause we're neighbors. Trust me, he was a bitch the whole ride here." The lie has grown smooth on my tongue, easy. 

"Ah, I see." Zeke responds, his voice relieved. I just smile at him, shoving my books into my backpack and slamming my locker door closed, leaning against the cold metal, lightly slamming my head back and groaning.

"Ugh, I got like no sleep last night." I rub a sweater covered fist against my eyes in annoyance, and Zeke just chuckles. He places a hand against the metal above my head and looks down at me from his tall height. 

"You look like hell." He says, one eyebrow quirking upwards. One of his dimples grows as he smiles down at me, and I hit his chest slightly. Hm, firm.