Striking Blue || Connor Murphy

StrikingBlue

A/n: Okay so I reworked this first chapter and I'm starting on the second one, I can't remember how many I need to do but this is definitely better than how it was previously

Your POV

The atrium was bustling, it was the Halloween party that everyone was made to go to, not that you wanted to be here. Evan got a sick note and Jared had his camp 'friends' so as usual you were sat on your phone by the door ignoring everyone.

Lost in thought as I watched a group of girls taking dumb photos and laughing at each other I was startled when someone slammed through the door. I didn't see who but guessing by the way it slammed shut it was probably Murphy being chased by Rich or something.

Not wanting to intervene I continue to sit there hoping that Jared would at least come and check on me.
Eventually, I got bored of listening to the hum of the room so I got up and left. Heading towards the toilet furthest away from the atrium I spot Connor sat against a locker holding his lip. It's not your problem. Yeah, but we have to go past him. Just don't look. I start walking down the corridor watching my feet as I go, as I approach I can see his lip is bleeding quite badly. "Are you okay?" I ask stopping. "What the fuck do you want?" His voice tense, he doesn't move. "It's just your lip is bleeding and it looks like a lot, do you want a hand?" I've never been fond of Connor but I've never been deliberately mean towards him either. "No, fuck off" he winces as he speaks. "Okay, are you sure you don't need help?" I don't want to push him but that lip looks quite bad. "What don't you get about no? I said no" he growls picking himself up off the floor. I step away as he shoves past me. "Well sorry, I asked"I grumble to myself once he's out of earshot.

Deciding that I'd rather get in trouble than hang around at school any longer I head home.

Monday rolls around and I'm still swamped with homework. I haven't done anything all weekend, my mum has been on my case since Friday about skipping school.

Not bothering to say goodbye I rush out the door to meet Evan and Jared we where supposed to walk together.

"Hey, so I saw you follow Connor out on Friday what was that about?" Jared doesn't let me answer before continuing "you two didn't have sex in the janitor cupboard did you?" He looks at Evan raising an eyebrow, Evan doesn't return the look. "No I went to the toilet then home, I wasn't even aware Connor left before me" I lie scowling at him. "That's not what I heard, apparently you two were talking and then he pulled you off somewhere" Jared continues to prod. "I have no idea where that came from Jared but you are on thin fucking ice" I readjust my bag and walk faster, "I'm walking on concrete I don't see how it's ice" he grins at himself as he speaks "fuck off Kleinman, stop being a smart ass" I say slowing down to fall into step with them. "So Evan anything good happen this weekend?" I ask leaning round Jared. "No just did my homework" he fiddles with his cast. "Oh that's good" I reply not really knowing what to say I put my headphones in and listen to music the rest of the way.

I'm sat in biology the only class I share with Connor, who is sat three seats down staring out the window clearly not paying attention.
I continue taking notes when some paper is dropped into my book. I don't look at it as Connor stomps past leaving the classroom. "What the fuck is his problem?" I hear one of the 'popular' girls snicker. I shove the note in my pocket before the teacher sees.

"Hey Jared" I call down the hall spotting my short friend. He stops waiting for me to head to lunch. "Hey Y/n, how was bio?" He grins knowing Connor shares that class. "What are you smiling about? Did Evan ask you out of something?" I shove him with my shoulder as we walk. "Hey, I don't like Evan remember" he mumbles. "You didn't answer my question" Jared repeats sitting down next to Evan at the table. "Oh it was okay, I don't see why it wouldn't be" I reply. Remembering I have the note in my pocket I wait until Jared is talking to Evan before opening it.

Meet me outside around the back of the school at lunch

- Connor

Shoving it back in my pocket I put my lunch away and get up. "Where are you going?" Jared's head shoots up noticing me move. "Sitting somewhere else I have homework due for the next period and the cafeteria is too loud" a simple lie but I know Jared won't question it.

I slowly trudge round to the back of the building hoping that Connor won't be there.

"You actually decided to read the note" he doesn't look up as I sit next to him. "Yeah, hows your lip?" I reply, I shove my hands in my pockets to hide the shaking. "I want to apologise for uh being a dick on Friday" he mumbles, I barely catch what he's saying. "Oh, no worries. I shouldn't have pushed" I say, smiling softly. "Ya'know Connor Murphy, I don't think we've ever spoken. Not properly anyway" I continue. "I just assumed you didn't like me," he says shortly. He rummages through his pockets before revealing a lighter and cigarette. "Oh, well I personally have no reason to not like you? I mean you've never been mean to me so" I slowly stop talking lowering my head. I scuff the ground with my shoes creative a small hole in the dirt. "I shoved Evan, your friend on the first day of school, then ran off with his weird therapy letter," Connor says matter of factly. "Yeah but that's Evan, we weren't really talking then so I don't have a problem with you" I open my bag and grab my english work. Might as well get it done I guess. "Okay, do you want a hand?" His words seem rushed, like talking is impulsive for him at least. "Connor Murphy offering help? Wow I never thought I'd see the day" I mumble opening my book to the correct page. "Yeah well I'm actually really good at English, I'm in top set." He grabs my book, reading through my work he grabs a pencil and starts to correct me. "Um, it's really shit, it's only a draft but it's due today so it's all I have" mumbling I pick at my nails as I watch him occasionally re light the cigarette. "It's not that bad, you'll probably get a seven maybe an eight. Which is like a B so that's quite good" I never knew Connor had the ability to tolerate someone let alone be nice and help. "Oh, Okay that's not too bad, how come your in top set? I should've moved up but I didn't do any of the work over the holidays so I stayed in middle set" occasionally glancing up at him as I speak he seems to be concentrating on my work. "Oh well, I never go out. Everyone seems to think that I go out all the time and get high, why would I do that if I could just do it at home in my room on my own?" He explains tucking some hair behind his ear. "Oh yeah I guess that makes sense." I continue to pick at my nails. "So this is where you've been? With the school shooter?" I turn and see Jared with Evan in tow standing away from us. "yeah, is that a problem Jared?" I snap suddenly becoming defensive. "I dunno you tell me, it looks pretty dodgy you sat round the back with Connor probably sucking face or whatever it is you do" Jared sneers "fuck off Jared" Connor scowls standing up. "I'll hang out with whoever I want, I only stay with you cause of Evan, I don't particularly feel obligated to now though" I huff grabbing my book from Connor's hand and shoving it in my bag before stomping away to english.