[On Hold]
Chloe Jensen didn't have a clue what was going on around her.
And they all wanted to keep it that way.
JeffAtkins x OC
Scott Reed x OC
{Disclaimer: I do not own 13RW or any of the characters made by Jay Asher}
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You're going to tell me this one's no big deal, but let me tell you about being lonely.
Humans are social species. We rely on connections to survive. Even the most basic social interactions help keep us alive. Statistics prove the subjective feeling of loneliness can increase the likelihood of premature death by 26%. If it sounds like I'm quoting from a school textbook... I am. Too bad nobody bothered to read it. And let me tell you... there's all kinds of ways to feel lonely.
I'm not talking the garden variety lonely in a crowd lonely. That's everyone, every day. And it's not that 'when will I find love' kind of lonely. Or that 'the popular kids are mean to me' kind of lonely. The popular kids are always mean. That's how they get popular. I know. Ironic. Old news.
The kind of lonely I'm talking about is when you feel like you've got nothing left. Nothing. And no one. Like you're drowning, and no one will throw you a line.
Well, when the subject of this tape worked his sneaky magic... that's how I was feeling. And when you're that kind of lonely, you reach for anything - no matter how silly it may seem.
"I'm sick of it, you know. Just because I don't have her skinny-ass body doesn't mean I'm fat!"
And communications class could be supremely silly... as you know.
"Maybe you should try a diet," someone spoke up in Ms.Bradley's classroom. Chloe looked at him as he sat beside her with a sneer while Hannah turned and spoke aloud.
"Seriously, Pratters? Jesus!"
"I'm just saying, all right, if you're getting fat-shamed, then, you know, don't be fat."
"I can't seem to find the sense in all of the bull crap you just said," Chloe scoffed.
"Mr.Pratters!" Ms.Bradley scolded.
"Pratters, that's like someone saying to you, 'don't be an idiot and a dickwad.'" Zach's sighed.
"Exactly, thank you," Pratters pointed to Zach with his pen.
"Totally not on your side, dude." Everyone let out small chuckles at that, but it was Hannah's that caught not only Zach but Chloe's attention. She noticed the small eye connection between the two and decided to make that small gesture into something huge in her mind.
The bell rung and everybody began shoving their books and pencils back into their bags.
"Alright, people, so remember the compliment bags. Um, it's always best to give a compliment face to face, but sometimes it's easier to be anonymous. Okay, see you tomorrow."
Chloe headed to Hannah before the two walked to the rack holding the compliment bags up, though Chloe made her way to a different one to find her name, leaving Zach's with the Baker girl.
"I always feel stupid," Zach started a conversation while Chloe eavesdropped from afar.
"Looking?" Hannah questioned and Chloe shook her head with a small smile at her witty friend. "Yeah, these are the stupidest most embarrassing things that I check every day, no matter what."
