The List (Panic! At The Disco)

Chappy 2

Brendon
I walked into my first period, math. I had it with Abigail, and today I wanted to be there on time to try and make some moves on her.

I looked over to where she usually sits, the back right corner, near the window. I stopped in my tracks, having sympathy for her, only because of how she looked. She had bags under her eyes as if she hadn't slept and had on a long sleeve turtle neck today, which was strange. I had never seen her in long sleeves throughout the years. It even looked like she had some concealer on her left cheek. She never wore makeup.

I sat in the seat next to her as she stared at the wall. "Hey... Are you okay?" I asked carefully.

"I'm not going to want or have friends. Stop trying and leave me the fuck alone."

"Why do you want to be alone? Being alone isn't fun at all. Everyone needs friends." I tried to save myself from the hole she was digging me.

"I like to be alone. I don't need friends to shove their good lives in my face while I suffer in my own life." She snapped at me.

I sighed and got up, moving to my usual group of friends.

"Don't worry, dude. She's just some freak. Asher's been thinking about taking her off the bet list since she's crazy." Spencer patted me on the back.

All I could do is nod, keeping my gaze on her.
-
At lunch, she was back to sitting on the floor. I never noticed how much shit was thrown or dropped on her until now. I also recently noticed she never eats at lunch.

"I get it, Brendon, I feel terrible too. I think she has some type of abuse going on at home. It would explain the turtle neck and the concealer on her face." Ryan reasoned.

"But what about the long sleeves? Is that abuse too?" I asked.

Ryan sighed before answering, "That's possible, but I think it's self harm." He paused. "Why are you so caring all the sudden? You're usually so cocky."

"I don't know. Empathy or something?" I shrugged.

"Do you even know what empathy means?" Ryan laughed.

I shook my head at his attempt to lighten the mood and got up, walking to where Abigail was. I sat down next to her silently.

"What do you want, fuckboy?" She asked, closing her notebook.

"I wanted to see if you were okay. You seem..." I trailed off, unable to explain.

"I just should've gotten home at the right time. I'm fine." She said, standing up and exiting the cafeteria.

I quickly followed, trying to keep up the caring charade.

"Abigail! Wait up!" I said, jogging up to her and matching her pace.

She stopped abruptly in the hall. "Why are you still here? You're a cocky bastard! Why do you care all of the sudden?"

"I-... I don't know. I guess I feel like I should protect you... I care about you more than I should." I ended it with a sigh, scratching the back of my neck.

That's good acting. I'm doing great.

"That's good to know... But you shouldn't, so stop it. You're popular, you're desired by all the gay guys and straight girls in this school, even the teachers. Go care about someone else who's actually worthy of it." She tapped her foot against the ground, awkwardly fiddling with her thumbs.

"I can't. You are worthy of it, understand that." I paused, bringing my hands up to her shoulders, squeezing slightly before continuing. "You're an amazing person who deserves everything good in the world. Please, let me care about you. Well, you don't have to let me, I will anyways."