Little Dove (Gene x Reader) | Phoenix Drop High

Chapter 3

Chapter 3 - Portfolio

"Shadow Knights?" I scoffed, letting out a loud laugh, "This has to be a joke. You want me to join you and your posse?"

Gene rolled his eyes in response. "Well, last time I checked you had no friends at school."

"Are you saying you want to be friends with me now?" I asked him, smiling when he sighed and hung his head.

"What I'm saying is that we need more members-"

"Then what about that kid who was wanting to join earlier?"

"He's not qualified-"

"And I am?"

Gene groaned, tilting his head back for dramatic effect. "Let me speak, would you?"
I tried to hold back my smile as I stared at him, waiting for his reasoning. "As I was saying-"

All of a sudden, my phone goes off, buzzing in my pocket. "Hold on," I told Gene who looked very pissed off at this point. I looked at my phone, seeing a notification for one of my apps. As I stared at it, I realized that this was the perfect way to get out of this situation. "Sorry Romeo, but that's my cue. I need to go."

Gene gave me an exasperated expression, infuriated that he didn't even get to finish his point.

Without wasting time, I waved at him, turning on my heel to leave. "I'll see you tomorrow!"

Hopefully not.

•••

I pushed the front door open carefully, closing it behind me before slipping off my shoes. "Hey, mom!" I called out, already expecting her to be back.

When I didn't get a response, I looked around, wondering if she decided to go out somewhere. "Mom?" I said as I peeked into the kitchen. She instantly slammed whatever she was looking at shut, shoving the yellow portfolio back into the drawer behind her.

"Oh, hey sweetie. I thought you would be out for a while."

"Mom," I sighed, looking at her disappointingly.

My mom slumped in defeat, her face turning from bright and happy to gloomy and dark. "I know, I know. I should get over it by now."

"I never said that," I told her before walking over to put a hand on her shoulder. "I don't think anyone will get over it but you have to learn to try to live with it."

I watched as her eyes teared up, leaving a dull throb in my chest. My mom always meant to be good, she wanted to be a person that everyone could rely on. It doesn't help that she's the one who needs the support now.

"But-"

"I get it, mom," I whispered as I wrapped my arms around her, "You need to be strong for him."

•••

I walked to school the next day trying the best to cover up my face with the hood of my jacket. I didn't want anyone to see the deep, dark bags under my eyes and I really didn't want them to notice the redness that surrounded them.

I ended up volunteering to take care of my mom for the rest of the day, knowing that it would help if she would be able to get some sleep. Even though she loves being a busy person, she needs to know when to take a break.

I tugged on the sleeves of the jacket I was wearing before walking inside the school, keeping my head low. As I walked through the school, making my way to my classroom, I couldn't help but catch the eyes of a familiar rebel.

Wait, don't I owe him because of what happened yesterday?

I internally groaned, hoping he didn't notice the eye contact we made. Of course, with my luck, he did. Gene shoved his way over to me as I tried my best to get around the crowd of people.

"Little Dove," He complained, following me as I scurried around other people.

Once I realized that the crowd was too big to get through, I reluctantly turned around, still keeping my head low.

"My name's (Y/n)."

"I like Little Dove better," He chuckled. I rolled my eyes at him, not sure how I liked the nickname he gave me. Gene took a long glance at me, his eyes squinting at the good of my jacket. "Why are you covering your face?"

I didn't have an excuse so I told him the truth, to an extent. "I didn't go to sleep until really late last night. Wouldn't want to let everyone see how terrible I look," I lightly chuckled, trying to make the best of the situation.

"Who would care about the dark bags under your eyes," He went on, taking a step closer."

I definitely can't let him see my face. I'm not as worried about the dark bags under my eyes as I am the swollen red around them. In a desperate attempt, I glanced around and found an opening in the crowd. "Well, looks like I have to go to class!"

Before letting him respond, you hurried through the crowd, almost tripping over some people.

At least I was able to get away.

༺༒༻

Before my author's note, if you are confused about the PORTFOLIO in the scene with your mom, it will be explained later. It's a bit of a story.

I'm sorry for so many things and you're probably tired of it by now.

My only reason is that I have so much more homework than I did last semester. I also have one more academic class than usual and that ONE academic class gives me HOURS of homework. Yay biology teacher.

Anyway, I don't even understand if you're still reading this. I love you all and hope you have a great day.

- Author~Chan