Freak Genius

Chapter 1: DAN

Authors Note:

Thank you so much for choosing my story as your next read! I would really appreciate your feedback! Tell me if you like it, you don't like it, your thoughts and feelings about a certain event... Please and thank you so much! It would mean a lot! It will help me so much when I go through the editing process because sometimes it's hard to portray thoughts and I want it to be the best it can be for the wattpad community!

This is dedicated to all the victims of bullying. Someone will hear your voice so don't stop calling and don't ever forget.

Chapter 1: DAN

Dan woke up, sleep still fuzzy on the edge of his vision. His eyes merely flickered open and his eardrums clicked on. His alarm's monotone was beeping annoyingly and obnoxiously into his ear. He pulled the covers back over his head and groaned. Warmth wrapped around him as he lay there dreamily in bed. He rolled over lazily. Why did school have to begin at such an early hour? His window was open just a crack, the curtains waving softly, letting the cool crisp autumn air into his bedroom. Clothes were scattered about the floor and drawers hung open crookedly. Trophies were shoved on a shelf along with four Harry Potter books. An old stuffed bear was slouching sadly outside the closet door, it's gaze directed at a particularly nasty pair of socks.

The alarm droned on, scaring birds just outside the window away. Dan slowly let the covers fall from his face. Moist air stung his nostrils. He reluctantly wrapped his uncovered arms around the bed and heaved his bare chest out from under the security and heat of the blanket. The giddy happy feeling he had received from the warmth left him as soon as the bitter air touched his skin. He sat up and swung his legs over the side of the mattress. He shivered and rubbed his hands viciously over his shoulders. He hopped to the like of clothes on his dresser as if the ground were hot coals in his red plaid boxers. He struggled to pull a pair of jeans out from beneath a mob of T-shirts. He tossed them onto the bed unenthusiastically and snatched the T-shirt lying on top of the mob of clothing.

Dan pulled on his jeans, buttoned them, and zipped them up before pulling the shirt over his mop of dark curly hair. He glanced in the mirror and shrugged. He slipped on the only clean pair of socks he had and laced up his raggedy tennis shoes. He opened the door and trudged down the hall to the kitchen. His mother was up, her heels clicking on the wooden floor. She had eggs in a pan on the gas stove. She turned when she heard her son entering the room and she smiled, welcoming him into her arms. He walked into her, not bothering to bring up his arms. "Can I just call in sick? I think we have a test in physics." She pulled away from him, her grip firm and tight on his shoulders. She gave him the don't-be-ridiculous look.

"Now Sweetheart, you know we can't do that. School is important-" he interrupted her in an airy shrilly tone, "for your future... Yeah, I know." He left her standing there and slumped into a chair at the counter. She quickly tended to the eggs and flipped them onto a paper plate for Dan. "Here, eat this. No salt! I have to go to work." She smacked her lips and glared at him accusingly. "Are you really going to wear that shirt?" Dan, already piling food into his mouth, looked up defiantly. "What's wrong with it? This is my favorite shirt!" She fanned her hands over his chest in a worthless attempt to make the wrinkles disappear. "It's all crumpled!" He raised his eyebrows. She waved he hands dismissively. "Whatever, I've got to go. Bye! Love you! Have a good day at school!" She kissed him lightly on the cheek, leaving a lipstick print. He waved and ducked back down to his food.

Making sure she had left, he opened the refrigerator and duh for more food. "Carrots, strawberries, juice, celery, yogurt..." He slammed it shut and swung open the freezer fervently. "Toaster strudels!" He popped three in the toaster on the counter eagerly waiting for them to pop back up. He paced the kitchen, rubbing his hands maliciously. They popped up with a little bounce and all of Dan's grogginess disappeared. He rushed to the counter inhaling the sweet apple pie aroma deeply. He winced as he grabbed them but otherwise ignored the searing pain from the hot pastries. "Heaven!" he muttered as he shoveled it into his mouth. He tossed the rest of his tasteless egg into his dog's food bowl. The long brown hair if the dog brushed against his legs lovingly as it gobbled up the egg. He checked the stove clock and choked. "I have to go! By, Benny!" He shouted after the dog as he shoved his phone in his pocket, swung a drawstring bag over his shoulder, and grabbed his car keys.