Club of Misfits [Lashton & Malum]

Chapter 3

Sometimes Michael is scared.

Not of ghosts, spiders (but he is) or movies. But of love, people and judgment. He was one of the most insecure people anyone would ever meet. Constantly hating himself, his body and his personality. He knows he's weird, but he doesn't try to be. He wants to be normal, he just can't.

He loves Daniel. It was a teddy bear and not a person, but he felt safe with the animal in his arms. He loved the feeling he got in his tummy when cuddling the lion in bed, falling asleep and having something to hold onto. Yes, he cuddles with Luke whenever he sleeps over, but he would sneak Daniel too. Luke would spoon him and he would hold onto the bear with his cute little hands, tiny fingers digging into the soft, fake fur.

Never once has he played with the toy or talked to it. He only holds it, because it was special to him. He would never say why, and he doesn't want to. It's his bear and he won't let anyone take it away from him. He's not a kid, he knows that it's not normal. However, he doesn't care. It's his life and his reputation, it can be ruined if that's what it takes.

Considering he's afraid of being judged, sometimes he skips class. It's dangerous, daring and can lead to him getting into a lot of trouble with his aunt. But, he doesn't like school. People are scary and rude. They ridicule him for being who he is and judge him for his lack of intelligence.

He always thought school was suppose to make you feel smart, not dumber than you already are. All that happens at school is people laughing at him, teachers yelling and making him feel stupid and he's lonely. When he's not with Luke, he's not content. He's sad and that's not how he wants to feel.

So, he skips class to avoid teachers calling him out when he doesn't know the answers. They know he doesn't talk, yet they try to force him to. They want him to do something he doesn't want to do. To speak and get the answer wrong. It's not a big deal to some people, but it's mortifying to him. Having people know he's not the smartest person ever and he's forced to walk up to the board, hands shaking and Daniel sticking out of his hoodie's pocket, only to write a number or word down that's no where near right.

Like always, he skips math the most. What a typical subject he's not good at, most would say. But, he's not good in any subject and would skip all if he could. When he's not going to class, he would sneak into the library, go to the back and hide there where the librarian wouldn't see him. They think he has study hall and wouldn't think twice about it because the librarians like him. They think he's a sweet kid who's misjudged and they would be right.

Only this time, when Michael goes to the library he's not alone like usual. He sat back on the seat with red, soft cushions and went on his phone. He doesn't like reading, he likes music. He had his headphones plugged in and a brown hoodie on that slipped passed his hands, Daniel in lap and black jeans sticking tightly to his legs.

The music he listens to varies. It can go from pop, to rock, to metal within in every other song. Sometimes he has a little country in there, but he wouldn't admit it, mainly cause he doesn't talk much. He loves music, because it speaks the feelings he can't say. The music a person listens to defines who they are and what they're thinking. It helps him escape the terrible reality he lives in.

Not too far away, Calum entered the library with a glare on his face. He had to look for a book for Maya, something called Paper Towns and he didn't even know how to look for him, cause he's never entered the library before. That's social suicide for him. No one reads now and days. Well, aside from Maya.

He nodded at the librarian, who grimaced at his look. He wore a varsity jacket, it was like the American football players, but for track and he got it for free since his dad is the coach. Calum went towards the fiction section, hoping the book was there since he never actually looked up the book and didn't know what the hell it was about. For all he knew, it could be about aliens getting murdered by donkeys in a town of paper people.