I'm Not Playing The Game, Dallas

Chapter 1

Normal, insignificant and nothing out of the extraordinary. That’s exactly what I am. 16 years of age and drooling on my pillow while dreaming of skydiving off the highest building in the world every night before hearing the vibrant rings of my god damn alarm clock contributing to noise pollution, waking me up at 5am for school every weekday.

Ugh, school

Yes, school. 

Boring, tedious.. school.

Tightening the rubber band of my high ponytail, I drag my feet onto the campus, and as per always, I hear muffled voices of students’ chatters and high pitched screams of girls thinking it’s attractive to scream at absolutely anything and everything. 

All I see; Popular cheerleaders hustled together whispering silently amongst themselves while pretending to ignore the whistles of boys. Jocks showing off their toned bodies and checking out cute girls. Goths’ headphones blaring to punk rock. And then there’s the nerds consisting 2/3 of asians, the sporty people, the “cool” sophomores, avid Jesus worshippers and members of the performing arts club being passionately dramatic and loud as usual.

Wait, scratch that.

The people in high school aren’t even that segregated. Well, at least not in mine. People aren’t classified into categories like that. Sure, there might be the more popular and sociable kids who are well known all around. Then, there are other students who just make closer friends with people based on each one’s interests. Cheerleaders don’t all have to be popular and squeeze tightly together in the same lunch table eating salad and sharing lip gloss everyday. We do still converse with each other, only usually small talk. Most of the time we just exchange smiles and simple greetings like hello’s. Of course, the people here aren’t all friendly saints. Everyone has different personalities too but they are decent enough not to smash your head against lockers and most of them won’t ignore you. 

Because this is not a stereotyped movie or book.

***

All I’m thinking of is going home to home-made cookies and indulging myself into this new book I’ve been reading called Inferno after school ends as I prod myself up the steps of the crystal tiled stairs to my last period. I’m exhausted and I can’t wait for school to end. 

***

The last bell of the day rings signifying the end of school and just as I’m about to my unlock the chain of my bicycle to cycle back home and prop myself up on be…

“TAAAAMMMMYYYYYY!!!!”

I turn around to see my group of friends rushing towards me with huge smiles on their faces that can’t and won’t seem to go off anytime soon. 

“Hiiii.” I manage, putting on the biggest smile I can fake. 

My groups of friends. The people I usually hang out and pray to be in the same class with. Savannah, Jia Qi and Megan.

“Dude, are you listening or what?”

“Huh?”

“Savvy got tickets last minutes to Magcon. It’s tomorrow,” Megan said. A frown starting to form on her face, probably annoyed of my unexcited reaction. 

Oh, Magcon. Those 9 guys that seem to attract plenty of girls for their videos and looks.

“You guys go. I’m not going. You should give my ticket to a fan. Which…. I happen to not be.”

“No, you’re coming. You can help us take photographs,” Sav states.

“You literally just ruined the vibe. So you have to go.” Jia Qi adds. 

“No. Bye.” I say. 

I turn around just in time to hear the weirdest sound I’ve ever heard in my life.

“Oooooh!” A sound coos again from behind me.

A hand grabbed hold of my leg from behind and started tugging my jeans. 

Okay… This is getting weird. Too weird.

I look down to see Jia Qi curled on the floor, faking the most unrealistic cry I have ever seen. 

I start to pull my leg away from her hands but it won’t budge and after 5 whole minutes of struggling and kicking her face. 

I gave up.