Flaws

Chapter 1- Forgettable

Chapter 1- Forgettable 

(edited 20/10/2015)

It was just an ordinary day. I walked into school alone, careful to not even look at the boy who lived only houses away from me. He had stopped saying hello to me a year ago, finally giving up on me. The problem with loving someone is that it binds you together, almost imperceptibly, but that bond never goes away. I had gotten over him, in my own way at least, but everytime I saw him I was reminded of how many years I had wasted on Chris Knightley.

My way of getting over him was probably irrational, but at the time I couldn't have cared less. I cut out him and anyone or anything that reminded me of him. Throwing away every photo, ignoring every song, changing my TV preferences. I convinced myself after him that there was no point liking anyone because it had been proven so unlikely they would return my feelings. It was widely known that I wasn't the kind of girl who messed around with guys, but no one ever understood why. I simply couldn't put myself on the line again.

I brushed my hair away from my eyes with my fingertips and sighed a little. It was tiring being aloof all the time, but making friends, caring about people: I was only going to get myself hurt. I was happy with the friends I had. Gone was the girl who tortured herself thinking how the guy she liked would never look at her that way, or the one who stood by when others mocked her for it.

It had taken our classmates a long time to forget it, but I had made sure they had. I was confident, I liked having fun and I didn't let anything touch me. 

Crucially I was forgettable: I wasn't ugly, but no-one would call me beautiful. I was funny, but not enough to be known for such a thing. I was just another face in the crowd, something I'd come to revel in. 

I looked down at my bare wrist and cursed, having forgotten to wear my watch again. It had been a gift from Lana, my best friend, and she always worried I'd lost it if I didn't wear it. I was so preoccupied being annoyed with myself that I hadn't foreseen that my shortcut around the big oak tree wasn't an entirely original idea.

I collided hard with the unfamiliar figure, stumbled and lost my balance. I was sitting on the cold ground before I'd even registered who it was. I didn't know him, obviously as I barely spoke to anyone at school, but I did recognise him. Some forgotten memory resurfaced, and I recalled he was a new student this year.

"Ow" I said faintly. I looked up and saw predicatably that he was still standing. He had dark, restless eyes and short wavy brown hair. I had a feeling it couldn't be tidied. His sharp featured face and stubbled cheekbones gave him a rugged look. He didn't belong in this bland surburban sixth form. He looked like he belonged on the back of a Harley. He towered above me, eyes fixed on me with a mixture of concern and amusement. This day was turning out to be not so ordinary after all.

"Are you going to help me up?" I asked sardonically. I arched one eyebrow-

"Or would you prefer for me to sit here patiently while you stare at me?" I added, studying my fingernails pointedly.

A wide grin spread across his face, revealing even white teeth. He offered me his hand to help me up with no apology looking likely. I eyed his outstretched hand darkly and pushed myself off the ground without his assistance. His eyes widened a little but then instead of walking away as I had anticipated, he laughed.

"I'm Spencer" He introduced himself and I felt the beginnings of an unwilling smile on my lips. He held out his hand again and out of pure curiosity I took it. He shook it once, firmly and I let go quickly.

I pursed my lips momentarily. "I'm Liv"

"Or you can call me the girl you just knocked over if you like" I added.