First Punch ➟ Kellic

T W E L V E

I get a text from Jake the next morning, making me groan. What an awful way to start my day. I just want him to leave me alone, why is it so hard? What do I have to do to get the message across more clearly?

I didn't go to school yet again so he'd sent another simple apology. I refuse to forgive him. He's gotta stop all this madness. He's already killed two Triads and it doesn't seem like he's gonna hold back any time soon. Sure, he kept them from killing me, but that's just because we have a truce. He won't take pity on anyone else. Honestly, he might not even take pity on me anymore.

I roll my eyes as I get another text from him. It's almost lunch, so I figure I should at least go for the second half of the day. I need to pass after all.

I flip my phone open, reading his message: I need to talk to you. I scoff at the bossiness of his words. Who does he think he is? I heard him out the other day and he took responsibility for shit all. I don't owe him anything. Unless he wants to stop being such a murderous prick, then I'm done with that asswipe.

I ignore his text and continue to lay in my bed, procrastinating the day away. The time comes for me to leave and I can't seem to do it. Instead, I head to the basement to get high and sleep for a few more hours. Maybe I'll get to school tomorrow.

I don't hear from Jake again, and wake up pretty early the next day. I'm still dreading going to school, but after missing the end of last week administration will be pissed at me. I need to go today or they'll start calling home. I can't have that, so instead I pull on my most comfortable clothes and off to school I go.

I get there partway through second period and stash my blade before going inside. I trudge into my classroom, feeling absolutely exhausted and wanting to be anywhere but here. Thankfully, there's only twenty minutes left and it goes by reasonably quickly. It was still beyond boring, and I want to blow my brains out, but I have to push through it.

I internally groan a little as the bell rings, signifying that calculus is gonna start soon. I'd rather rip my guts out than see Jake's stupid face. I stand up, dragging my feet as I make my way to the room. I don't want to see him ever again, and I know for a fact that he's gonna be here because he said he needed to talk to me.

I push the door open, noticing Jake's piercing gaze immediately snap in my direction. I don't dare look at him, hugging my notebook to my chest as I make my way to the back row. The closer I get, the harder it is to ignore him and I have to force my gaze away as I pass by my usual seat. I head to the opposite end of the row, needing to be as far from him as possible. This is one of the rare times I debated not sitting at the back, but for whatever reason I still don't want to have my back turned on him. I can't leave myself vulnerable. To boot, it has the back door as an escape. But now I have to pass him to get to it. Stupid dick for stealing my spot. Well, the seat next to my spot at least.

Mrs Turner starts the lesson and I can still feel his gaze burning into the side of my head. I try to ignore him, copying along with her as she solves the questions. His attention is distracting though and I can't really focus on understanding what she's doing. Instead, I subconsciously watch him in my peripheral vision. I just don't know what he wants or what he's gonna do. At least I'm subtle compared to his obvious ass.

After a few minutes I can't take it anymore. I glance over at him, making eye contact for a split second. I sigh a little, both annoyed with him and mad at myself for having no willpower. As soon as I look away he gets up and moves to the seat next to me.

"Hey," he whispers as he sits down.

"Go away," I mutter, writing random numbers on the page as I pretend to pay attention. But really I can't focus on anything other than him.