POLARIZE (Phan)

focus.

(Dan's POV)

I'm scared. The world around me seems to be crashing and the surrounding "support" I have are hollow ghost of what people they once were. I start to rethink my decision of picking all mentally disfigured friends. I love them to death, and I would always be there for them, but I've recently came to the conclusion that I need a friend that can be there when I need them, rather than ones that are too busy dealing with their own lives than caring about mine. That sounds selfish of me. I suppose it is selfish to wish to tear down a happy soul then slowly fade out of existence with others just like you. I don't want to leave them. Ryan needs me. Emma needs me. Charlie needs me. Maybe I'm just saying this so I don't have to face the fact that since they've been there for me for so long, I also need them.

Things change. We realize we're not who we think we are. I thought I was happy. I thought I was okay. I told myself I was the good one that was supposed to save them, but soon enough I've found us all drowning. Phil wasn't. Phil was on a tropical island, in his own paradise aware that people were stuck in the water, but not knowing who, where, and what to do. It must be lonely on that island, but maybe he has others there in peace to keep him company. Peace. The island's name in Peace. I'll swim to Peace, and bring Emma, Charlie, and Ryan with me. We might take a while, but we'll get there. Peace is a small but spacious isl-

"Dan?" A loud voice shook me out of my thoughts. I ended my intense stare on a random chair across the room, and looked up to see a very upset looking teacher looking at me from the front of the class. "Yes sir?" I blushed as a few people giggled. "If you were listening, Mr.Howell, you would know that I asked you what answer you got on number six, but I realize now that you were not paying attention at all!" Mr. Blake seemed to get increasingly irritated as he went on as I just sat in still shock. "You don't even have your paper out! Do you kids think I do this for nothing?!? I am not teaching this just for fun! I already know this stuff! You're job is to listen and learn, and if you can't do that job, Daniel, you can leave!" The room was silent, every last eye starring at that one shaking finger Mr.Blake had pointed at the door. My heartbeat got faster, thinking of what my parents would say if they found out I somehow managed to screw up so bad it got me kicked out of class. What I did wasn't even that bad! Mr.Blake just hates me because of the way I dress. When I was in freshman year me and Ryan were walking to class late and he yelled at us to "Get to class, you God forsaken Satin worshipers", and that was before I ever meet him! I blinked. "With all due respect sir I don-" "GET OUT OF MY CLASSROOM HOWELL!" He screeched, slamming a textbook on his desk to add to the dramatic mess he created. I flinched back and my eyes widened at the loud boom the book sent through the room.

My talk with Mrs.Farragrin, the school principal, started with her being very angry and demanding that I explain why I "refused to follow directions" as Mr.Blake recalled. After I explained to her what actually happened, which was me not doing anything wrong but not focusing for a few minutes in class. Mrs.Farragrin seemed to except that, even calling Mr.Blake to her office and playing a recording of the incident to both of us and telling Mr.Blake that his behavior will not be tolerated in this school.

***

I walked into the cafeteria that day with the majority of the room looking right at me. I shrugged it off, walking to my usual lunch table that consisted of Charlie and Emma. "Rebel boy, what'd you do now? Everyone's been talking about you." Emma smiled as Charlie rolled his eyes. "Nothin' Mr.Blake just got pissy with me, but I didn't get in any trouble, no worries. I think I got Mr.Blake fired though." We laughed, and Emma demanded that I tell her the whole story. "Heyoo!" Ryan yelled, sliding into the seat next to me. I noticed Phil standing awkwardly by him. "Ugh..." Charlie groaned, scooting away from Phil's direction. I just laughed. "Hey, Phil, right? Are you sitting with us?" Emma asked, not at all phased by Charlie's actions. "Uh, yeah, I guess." He half smiled. "Sorry for not asking, but we were having a conversation in French class and I wanted to hear the rest of the story." Ryan explained. I nodded. The conversation flowed on like usual, Ryan and Emma doing most of the talking as Charlie and I mostly just listened. Phil talked about as much as Ryan did, just not as enthusiastically. Phil kept looking at me, but I can't really complain because I think I was starring at him just as much. It's hard not to look when you're sitting just a little bit away from a perfectly imperfect mess of a masterpiece.

Wazza fren? I'm baaaaack!
Esteban Julio Ricardo Montoya de la Rosa Ramírez!!! Okay idk what I'm doing, sorry, hope you liked it, bye ✌🏽