Ticket Outta Loserville (Trames au)

Chapter 2- Tristan's POV

Me, Connor and Brad are hovering outside our first lesson of the day- English. I normally enjoy this class, but the others aren't so keen. "I hope we can chooses our seats." I say. "I ended up with the worst seat mate for form."

"Who?" Brad asks.

I roll my eyes. "James. The one person I could do without having to deal with first thing in the morning."

Connor puts his hand on my shoulder sympathetically. "Ouch. That's rough."

Before I can reply, the teacher comes bustling down the corridors. "Sorry guys, head right in." she apologises. "But don't sit down until I tell you. There's a seating plan." Brad giggles, and I give him a death stare.

As it turns out, the plan isn't that bad- Brad and Connor are both sitting with girls that I don't really know but seem nice enough, and as there's an odd number in this class, I get to sit by myself. Lots of people wouldn't like that, but this teacher must have known that I wouldn't mind. 

It's all going well until the door opens, and my chest tightens as James walks in. "Apparently I'm meant to be here." he says, without even bothering to apologise for barging in. Connor turns around to see what my reaction is, but I try to ignore it.

The teacher sighs, consulting her list. "What's your name?" I'm surprised she didn't know to be honest, as James is somewhat notorious in the school.

James is clearly annoyed by that, and he huffs. "James McVey."

"Ah." says the teacher. "We had to swap some people last minute. You're right, you are meant to be here." She looks around the room for an empty seat. My heart is pounding- 'please don't see me' I silently beg. Unfortunately, my prayers didn't work, and she posts over at me. "Ok. We only have one spare seat. I'm sorry it's at the back, but..." James looks over and I see horror spread on his face as if to say 'not you again'. "Now please James." the teacher says impatiently.

James heads over and dumps his bag on my feet. He sits down, muttering "I can't believe this." 

My annoyance gets the better of me. "What are you so annoyed about?"

James looks me up and down before staring at me like I'm stupid. "Do you really need to ask?" Wow, that hurt. I turn away and try to ignore him. However, that doesn't really work out as James is irritatingly tapping his pen on the table. 

Eventually, it becomes unbearable, and I turn to him. "Look, I know you don't like me, but you're stuck with me now. And with all due respect, I would much rather be by myself, but we just need to make the most if it." James just snorts and turns away. 

Things get even better when the teacher says that this year we'll be doing a lot of work and projects with the person we sit next to. "What joy that will bring." James says, and a ripple of laughter spreads through the class. I just sink further into my chair, trying to hide.

Thankfully, the bell rings and I can finally get out of here. "I feel like mentioning the seating plan was kind of like testing fate." Brad says. "Because now you're stuck with him."

"He's so rude to you as well." Connor agrees. "Most people would just get on with it, but no, he had to humiliate you in front of the whole class."

I sigh. "It was worse this morning, trust me." I'm trying not to reveal how I really feel about James, as not even Connor or Brad know that I'm gay yet. To be honest, I don't even understand my feelings. I mean, I hate James, he's horrible to me, but equally, I do have a crush on him. I have no idea why- sure, he's attractive, but he's not even nice.

I'm cut out of my thoughts by Brad's voice. "Earth to Tristan!" he almost shouts. 

"Sorry," I say, yawning. "I'm so tired. What did you say?"

Brad huffs. "I said, if this was a movie, you'd find out that James is secretly in love with you and that's why he's so horrible."

I snort with laughter. "Somehow I doubt that."

"You never know." Connor puts in helpfully. "After all, they do say that truth is stranger than fiction." I roll my eyes, but they keep teasing me. Eventually, we have to go off to our lessons- me to RE, and Connor and Brad to history. 

I'm going to keep hoping that James isn't in this class, because if he is, my emotions are running so high that I might honestly cry. Alex from my form barges past me with some of the idiots he calls friends in tow. This can only mean one thing- they're never apart, so if Alex is in this class, then James is too. I don't think that this day could get any worse, but I'm not going to say that- we know where tempting fate got us last time.

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I feel like this wasn't that good 😔

James right now is based off a guy I used to be at school with, who I actually saw in town last week. Unfortunately, my mum was with me, so I couldn't even say "I hate you," because that would have been rude 😂