confidence (d.t.)

three

*Brennan's P.O.V*

As I was walking out of the locker room, I felt a tap on my shoulder.

"Coach Morris said he wanted to talk to you about football today," Gray said quickly, walking back to his locker.

"Do you know where he is?" I questioned.

"In the field house last time I saw him," Grayson said blankly.

"Thanks." I walked out of the back of the locker room, since it was closer to the field house. Once I got to it, I looked around, but didn't see the coach.

Maybe he was in the athletic office? I began walking to it as the bell rang. Shit. I was supposed to walk with Veronica.

I sighed and jogged to the athletic office, but coach wasn't in there either. Knowing I couldn't be late to class, I started making my way towards U.S. History. Why would coach say he wanted to talk to me and completely disappear? Whatever he needed, it must've not been that important.

*Grayson's P.O.V*
Throughout gym class, I saw Brennan and Veronica laughing and talking. I smiled at how happy she seemed, but he didn't deserve her.

It was obvious he had a thing for her, since he kept trying to flirt. It didn't seem like she noticed, though, which was good.

I didn't even realize I was staring at her, until she turned her head and looked at me. My head jerked towards the windows that showed the field house. I mentally face palmed myself, since she probably thinks I'm such a creep.

Once the dress bell rang, everybody made their way to the locker rooms. As I was changing, I heard Brennan going on about how he was going to walk Veronica to her next class and ask her out on a date to his friends. Oh fuck to the no.

I quickly made up a lie about how coach wanted to talk to him and he fell for it.

Once I was fully changed into my regular clothing, I made my way out to the main gym, since we had about 4 more minutes until we would be dismissed from gym.

As I was scrolling through Instagram, I felt someone bump into my arm, so I turned to look at them. It was Veronica. Nervousness rushed over me, but I tried to play it cool.

"Ow" she laughed. She's so cute. I reached my arm out to help her up and she accepted it. Once my hand touched hers, I got the chills.

"Are you okay?" I quickly blurted out.

"Yeah, I'm all good. I'm sorry about that. I was so focused on finding Alex in this crowd, that I didn't see you there," she looked down.

"It's alright, don't worry about it," I smiled, feeling kind of bad that I was the reason he wasn't here.

She began walking away, but I quickly reached out to grab her arm. She winced as soon as I touched her. Did I do something wrong?

"Can you help me with Trigonometry? I've been struggling and I know you're really good at it." I looked down a bit embarrassed.

"Oh, yeah of course. When and where?" She half smiled. I definitely did something wrong. 

"My house and tonight?" I looked up, but quickly looked back down, since I couldn't stop thinking about her wincing as I touched her arm.

"Sounds like a plan. Here's my number so you can text me your address and what time I should come over." She wrote her name and number on a piece of paper and my heart started beating faster. I can't believe I'm getting her number. "Just a heads up, I can't come right after school, since I have try outs."

"Works out well because I have spring football conditioning. Good luck, Belrose," I smiled and put my hand up to high five her. She grinned and put her hand up to high five mine.

"You too, Dolan." She began walking away, her eyes scanning the crowd. I realized she was still looking for Brennan and my smile faded.

As I walked to class, I looked at the little piece of paper that contained her number. Ever since she stuck up for Ethan in kindergarten, I had a little crush on her. Over time it obviously grew, but I never had the guts to talk to her.

All of a sudden, I felt an enormous amount of pressure on my back and before I knew it, my head collided with a locker. Fuck that hurt.

My vision became blurry, so I blinked a couple of times, only to see Max smirking down at me. Here we go again.

I stood up and began walking away, but Max pulled me back.

"Where's little Ethan? I though your pathetic ass couldn't stand a second without him," Max laughed, nudging his friend's shoulder.

"Just quit it, bro. You're wasting both of our time." I huffed.

"Nah, we're having fun, aren't we?" He looked at his crew of assholes, earning a nod from all of them.

"I saw your latest youtube video. "What we like about girls". Kinda ironic, considering you couldn't get a girl if your life depended on it." Max pushed my shoulder.

I looked down at my shirt and pretended to brush the dirt off of the spot he touched.

"Why don't you do us all a favor and stop coming to school? It ruins the school's reputation having a freak like you attend. Plus, nobody here gives a shit about you. Except for your little boyfriend, I mean brother."

I scanned his face and he didn't show any sign of remorse for saying that. What he had said really got to me, so I turned around and sped walk away.

Once I turned the corner, I heard his group start cheering him on and praising him. Assholes.

I spotted a bathroom, so I walked in and broke down. All of the hate my brother and I get for doing what we love has been taking such a toll on me. I don't know how much longer I can take all of the bullying.

The bell rang, but I didn't even care. After I calmed down, I walked out of school and got in my car. I'm doing everybody there a favor, since they won't have to see me for the rest of the day.

As I turned the car on, I looked over at my backpack and saw the piece of paper, again. Maybe Max was wrong. Maybe, just maybe, Veronica will give me a chance to prove I'm a good guy.