Useless

A New Confrontation

(Nani's POV)

Nani narrowed her eyes and tilted her head to the side before speaking. "Is the nickname necessary?" The boy's smile widened as she spoke, offering a sense of friendliness that softened the air. "Hm, I believe it is, yes. But that's not the reason you're here, is it kitten?" He answered thoughtfully. Oh yeah, she still had to ask him for his.. Partnership.. Thing? Maybe she should word it differently...

Nani hesitated for a moment, observing the boy who was listening so closely to her. "I.. Uh.. I need.. I need someone to-" She began, interrupted by the boy nodding and patting the spot besides him. It was Nani's turn to return the smile now, taking a seat besides the gigantic teenager. The girl couldn't help but notice the boy's good-natured behavior. He turned to face her, eyes brightening as he gazed over. His eyes were blue, she noticed, much darker than hers but blue nonetheless. They were gentle too, kind and friendly, something that Nani had little experience with.

"Oh, uhm here" she mumbled, turning away for a moment to pull the folded test out of her sweater pocket. Nani carefully unfolded the tattered paper, handing it to the boy. He smiled and hummed in reply, gently taking the test from her hands. The boy turned to the desk, taking out a pen as he started comparing her answers to the ones on the board. "Where is your test?" Nani questioned, settling into the back of her chair. "Hmm?" he replied, bobbing his head between the board and her paper. He didn't appear to be listening. "Your test, where is your test? We're suppose to be grading each other's tests." She explained, frowning at him. "Oh! Sorry, I uh.. I was gone. Ya know, absent." He answered sheepishly. "But here, I finished you're test. I uh, I always thought you didn't pay attention in class, but you're pretty smart huh?" He handed the paper back with an almost perfect score.

Nani furrowed her brow in confusion, the girl had heard those words before but never in a situation where they were directed at her. It felt good to have someone say that, it made her feel warm and confident and.. Well, smart. She flashed the boy a crooked smile which made him chuckle loudly. Nani froze "He is laughing at me... Again." She thought, quickly wiping her smile away. The boy paused for a moment, looking over at her, worry strewn across his face. "Kitten?" He asked "What's wrong?" There was another pause. Nani huffed at the nickname, turning away from him before folding her test back up. "You're laughing at me." The girl mumbled, tucking the paper in her pocket. There was yet another pause. The boy sat back in his creaking chair, grinning now. "Oh no kitten, never at you. I was laughing because of your smile, it's just so wonderful and I couldn't contain myself."

Nani snapped her head up, eyes narrowing, looking for signs of mockery in his face. "What?" She managed, glaring at the large boy. A blunt tone rung out, and at that moment, Nani couldn't of hated the bell more. The teenager smiled before standing up and walking out, leaving her behind, dumbfounded.

###

Nani looked up from the sandwich in her lap, pulling at the grass under her feet. The sun was blinding her as she sat criss-cross outside of the lunchroom, alone, as she did everyday. But today felt different, she wasn't just alone, she was lonely, and that didn't feel too good.

The sun was beating down on her as she tugged at her collar trying to cool down, it was like eighty degrees out here. The girl sighed, desperately wishing she didn't have to wear long sleeves, but that wasn't an option. Nani absolutely hated the heat, it was smothering and humid and she couldn't do anything about it. It made her back itch and her head hurt and soon, she got so uncomfortable that she couldn't even focus on her lunch. Nani slipped her sandwich in the brown bag it came in and tossed it in her backpack for later. The girl made a frustrated sort of noise before standing up, itching angrily at her head.

Nani needed to get inside, to get to AC, to cool air, she was going to have a damn heatstroke if she didn't. The girl slung her backpack over her shoulder, grabbing her books and starting towards the school. Once inside, she let out a sigh of relief as cold air rushed past her, calming her headache. As soon as she leaned against the wall, a familiar shout sent it spinning again. She closed her eyes, listening to it echo through the empty hall.

"Kitten? Hey!" His cheery voice boomed through the hallway. It was soon filled with concern as he got closer. "Woah, are you alright?" Nani turned her head to face him, opening her eyes. "I would be if you stopped calling me kitten." She replied blankly. The boy's normal grin returned to his face as he came to a stop besides her. He stood almost a foot above the girl, leaning over her protectively. She poked at his chest "Hey, personal space." She chimed. The boy looked down at her and chuckled before taking a step back.

Nani stared up at him for a moment, absently reaching up to scratch at her head, it felt sticky and warm. The girl sighed, pulling her arm down, her hand was wet as she wiped it on dress, frowning. The boy's goofy smile faded, replaced with glaring eyes that created a whole new uncomfortable. It was a bit suspicious... "Ya know," he started "I never got to introduce myself, I'm Chris." He stuck his hand out, fingers curling upward expectingly. The girl narrowed her eyes and reached outward. "I'm Nani.." She grasped his hand, shaking it firmly.

Suddenly Chris' grip tightened, pulling Nani's arm towards him. In one quick motion, he jerked her sleeve upward, revealing the finger marked bruises on her arm. Nani's eyes widened in fear as she tried to wriggle away, but his grip only tightened. The boy's face turned angry as he spoke "Okay Nani, I need you to listen and listen close. You're going to tell me what these are" he shook her arm "and why you're head is bleeding." He pointed to the blood on her skirt. Oh.. She whimpered trying to pull away again, he tugged her closer, getting in her face.

"Who did this to you?"