Out of A Shell (Dash Parr x Fem!Shy!Reader)

Back to School

AGES:

Reader – 17

Dash – 18

I'll give the ages of other important characters when they're fully established.

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"Your" POV:

It would have been so easy to stay in bed.

It wouldn't have been a good idea, and Dad probably would have yelled at me for it, but...I just miss my bed. And my room.

My head made a quiet 'thud' as I pressed it against the glass next to me, gazing out of the window of the noisy school bus. I was trying to ignore everyone talking and basically shouting all around me, which I was usually good at, but it was impossible this morning. Why can't people be quieter? Was there really a need to be so loud?

I brought my hand up to the side of my head, already feeling the beginning dull tingles of a headache. Great. It's the first day of my year as a senior, and I'm starting it off annoyed and in pain.

I sighed, but when I saw Metroville High School's building come into view after the bus turned a corner, my heartbeat spiked. Now that I'm here, suddenly my nervousness is coming back. You think after going through a ton of "first school days" after a ton of summer breaks, this would be easier.

But, it wasn't. It never got easier. When the bus pulled up and around in a large circle of pavement, the driver stopped behind another bus and opened the doors, but I stayed seated while everyone else jumped up, taking some deep breaths to try and calm myself.

The first day of school was usually tedious and boring for me, but at least the teachers weren't going to give us a lot of work right away. It tended to be just giving out syllabuses and talking about the class before we were dismissed, so here's hoping the day will go by fast.

I finally got off the bus, somehow avoiding being the very last person, and followed the crowd into the nearest entrance. I was surrounded by people from all sides, but I somehow managed to feel like I was invisible. How everyone either went on their merry little ways or met up with their friends didn't help at all.

Meanwhile, I was alone. Story of my life.

I huffed, looking down at the linoleum tiles as I walked to the end of the hall and down another, keeping my head up enough so I could avoid running into anyone going in the opposite direction, but low enough that I didn't have to look anyone in the face. Or worse, make eye contact with them.

After turning another corner, I found my locker at last. I didn't necessarily need it right now, but I had its location memorized. Thinking why not, I spun in the combination printed on my schedule for it, and opened it to see nothing was inside. That was expected, but I was still curious.

"Hey, what's your first class?"

It was as if time stopped, when my brain registered a masculine, low-pitched sound that made my heart jump. I quietly gasped.

I know that voice.

I peeked around the door of my locker, to see someone I don't think I could ever forget. For many reasons.

His blond hair was styled the same as it's always been, brushed back with some hair gel applied so it could keep its wavy shape, but it went with his general appearance so well that changing it was unnecessary. His letterman jacket was a telltale sign of his achievements, and anyone who paid just the slightest amount of attention to the school's activities, was aware of the fact that he was a skilled athlete. His jeans and red & white converse complimented everything.