Tattooed Emotions

5

Phil

The school day went by like any other.

At lunch I had to hide out around the back of the school, a cigarette to my lips.

It wasn't an addiction.

I could stop if I wanted.

I'm sure I could.

But I don't want to.

It helps me.

I need it.

I stayed behind as final bell rang, watching as everyone rushed out of the door.

My breaths had become shaky and erratic at some point during that lesson, and I took a moment to compose myself before standing up and stepping out into the now deserted hallway.

Then in the distance, I heard footsteps quickly approaching. Before I could turn and step out of the way, a body collided with mine, dropping a pile of books on the floor.

I was caught offguard, uncertain of what to do.

Yell? Call him a nerd? It seemed so rude and uncalled for with just him and I alone. No one was here to encourage me.

Instead of lashing out, I knelt down next to him, and helped him to collect his books from the floor whilst he murmured out endless apologies.

As I handed him the final textbook, he stood up, smiling gratefully at me. His smile was so wide - teeth bright white and perfect. Hair swooped over his face, partially concealing his eyes.

His eyes.

They were the most amazing eyes I'd ever seen. Like melting a vat of chocolate and sprinkling in some gold glitter.

But I saw something else behind his eyes.

Sadness.

I glanced at his cheek, knowing the black rectangle as a source of my intimidation act.

"You're Dan, right?"

He laughed. God, those eyes. I swear they were sparkling. "And you're Philip."

"It's Phil, actually."

"Oh really?" Dan raised an eyebrow before starting to walk off slowly, but not before calling to me, "I thought only people you liked could call you Phil?"

And with that he was gone.

A freak of nature.

An accident.

An emotionless, empty...

I needed a smoke.