Fly High | ✅

2 | Sadderdaze

◈A D R I A N◈

Saturday.

It was my favourite day of the week. No classes, no obligations. Well, let's not count homework. Kelly had called me for the twelfth time and I had missed all of it, listening to Gloomy Sunday with my feet dangling off the bed. Known as the Hungarian Suicide Song, I was fairly disappointed when it didn't really hold up to its reputation. Maybe it was a hoax.

Yesterday was...great. Note the sarcasm. Not only did I became a personal punching bag exclusively for the football team's use, but also, Mr Thorne decided it would be amusing to see his students act out a scene on Shakespeare's Macbeth. In pairs. That explains Kelly. My unwilling partner.

You see, Kelly was at the top of our class. Scratch that. Top of our grade, while I was almost at the bottom. Almost. And being paired up with me was... well, it was sabotage. Cleverly executed by her frenemy, Amanda when she kindly volunteered to help me out by writing down mine and Kelly's name on a scrap of paper. Poor Kelly. The only day when she was absent will be her downfall.

Sighing loudly, I pulled myself up and planted my feet on the cool ground. My stomach did a drum roll, announcing that it's lunch time. I twisted my neck to glance at the clock. It was almost three p.m. No wonder I was starving. The last meal I had was a measly chocolate bun for dinner. Guess it's time for a little trip to the convenience store.

I dragged my feet to the bathroom, desperate for a pee. After relieving myself and flushing, I turned to the sink and squeezed a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on the toothbrush. As soon as the mint touched my lips, I jerked away and winced at the sting. I looked up to the mirror, gently brushing my fingers over my busted, bruised lips. Right. Almost forgot about the little encounter I had with the star quarterback.

Josh had a little slip-up when he was showing his 'moves' to the cheerleaders. My sense of humour kicked in and a chuckle inadvertently left my lips. Josh heard it and clearly he didn't share the same humour when he went red with anger and slammed me against the locker. He only left after landing a final kick to my abdomen, knocking the wind out of me.

✴

It was fairly sunny despite the occasional bone-chilling breeze when I made my way to 7-Eleven. Breathing in the crisp, cold air, I pulled up my collar before digging my hands deeper into my pockets. Since it was a Saturday, the street looked almost deserted save for a dog walker leading a muzzled Rottweiler by the leash. The canine let out a low growl when it spotted me, baring its fangs as best as it could with the muzzle covering its snout. I quickened my pace before flipping it off when the walker was unaware.

The doors slid open with a chime, announcing my entrance when I reached the store. I trudged to the confectionery aisle, eyes scanning through the baked goods. Seeing as none of the food suited my taste, I moved on to the frozen meals. A loud shriek suddenly broke out before dissolving into loud sobs. Pressing my hands against my ears to protect my eardrums, I glared at the kid who was throwing a tantrum on the floor. Candy bars and lollipops were strewn all over the ground. The mother had her hands on her hips looking up as if asking for help from God.

Feeling annoyed, I quickly snatched a pack of lasagna before fleeing to the counter. I paused in front of the fridge, grabbed a can of coke to complete my meal and deposited them on the counter. A woman in her late-thirties stood behind the counter, popping a gum while scanning my items. I unconsciously zeroed in on her shiny painted lips when she chewed the gum with her mouth open and I shuddered with disgust.

"That will be $7.50," the cashier drawled lazily, still chewing the gum.

I dug my hands into my pockets. My surprisingly empty pockets. I quickly fumbled to check my coat for any sign of my wallet. Nope. Nothing. Fuck! I swore under my breath. Looking up, the cashier raised her eyebrows, tapping her foot impatiently. I can sense the line was getting longer and my heart started racing.

"I-I don't want them anymo-"

"How much is it? I'll pay for them," a deep, strangely familiar voice interjected.

I looked at the arm going over me to hand a couple of dollar bills to the cashier. My eyes locked on the fingers first, then slowly trailing up the arm, up the shoulder and slowly settling onto his face. He had his forest green eyes trained on me, holding my gaze.

He took the bags containing our purchases and started heading towards the door, leaving me rooted to the ground in disbelief. It's him! I frowned a little at the excitement coursing through my body. I know I'd been looking for him, my eyes unwittingly searching through whichever crowd I passed for his face. Hell. I even took a different route every day walking back home to try my luck.

"You coming, kid?" he asked, pulling me out of my reverie. He had a plastic bag dangling on his crooked finger almost hypnotizingly. I quickly followed him out like an eager puppy with a small smile painted on my lips.

I'm starting to like Saturdays even more.

✈

Author's note

Hey guys. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you like it, please consider clicking on the little star to vote :)

{Song: Sadderdaze by The Neighbourhood}