The Jock and the Bad Boy (COMPLETE)

ONE

"Eliott! Wake up!" my mom yells. I sit straight up in bed. I don't want it to be the first day. Fortunately or unfortunately, the universe does not give a shit what I want. I huff and put my feet on the ground, checking the time on my phone. Six thirty. I go downstairs in my PJs to have breakfast.

"Wow, he's actually up," my older sister Sara comments.

"Shut up," I say, rolling my eyes. "Do we have cereal?" I ask my mom.

My mom shakes her head. "Sorry, honey, just fruit. Have some, it's good for you."

"Ugh, no thanks," I sigh.

"Hey," Sara offers, "If you go get ready quickly enough, we can get bagels on the way."

"I'd take the offer," Mom says. I nod and go back upstairs to get dressed.

I open my closet door and stare at everything in it. There are a couple of generic graphic tees and some more formal shirts. I have one or two shirts that I think are cuter, but they probably aren't the best bet for the first day of school. Especially since I'm new. I'm entering sophomore year with a spot on the school's varsity soccer team. That means that if I hang out with the right people, I could easily become one of the popular guys. Part of me wants to try, even though that totally isn't who I am. I know what people see when they look at me, a generic sporty boy with a shy smile. Girls seem to like me, and I've never had the courage to tell any of them that they're barking up the wrong tree. As for the boy thing, that's a bit more complicated. I'm nonbinary. Some days being labelled a boy makes me feel like I can't breathe. At best, it feels like playing a role that I happen to be good at even though it's not me. Everyone thinks it is, though. Maybe that's my fault, because I haven't gotten around to telling anyone otherwise.

Back to the shirts. I decide on a plain gray one and put a red zip-up hoodie on top. I finish off the look with black jeans. It's not the most spectacular combination known to man, but it's fine. I put a hand in my pocket and realize there's something inside. It's a pink beaded bracelet. I'm not sure where it's from, but I slip it on because it's cute.

"Eliott, come on!" Sara yells.

~

Even with the bagels, we pull into the parking lot on time. I say goodbye to Sara and walk into the building, looking at my schedule on my phone. My first period class is History.

When I walk into the classroom, I'm greeted by a familiar face. It's Jackson, one of the guys from the soccer team.

"Eliott, hey!" He yells.

"Hey, man, what's up?" I reply.

"I was so worried there wasn't going to be anyone I knew in this class," he says with a smile.

I nod. "Me too. Well, I wasn't really... expecting to know anyone." Why am I saying this? He knows I'm new, obviously I don't know anyone. I stop talking.

"You two can sit together," the teacher tells us, "but I'll move you if you don't pay attention. Understand?" We both nod.

~

I have Chemistry next, and Jackson and I walk together because his class is in the same hallway. When I'm almost at the door to my class, I feel my phone buzz. I stop walking and pull it out. Someone knocks into me from behind. I turn around. He's a little bit shorter than me and his hair is blue. He's wearing a jean jacket over a white henley and black jeans. His right sleeve is unbuttoned to reveal bracelets halfway to his elbow. He's kind of cute. "Maybe don't stand in the hallway?" He says it as if it's a question, but also like he wants me to die. Nevermind about the cute thing, I guess.

"Who the fuck pissed in your cornflakes?" I hear Jackson mumble. Blue hair boy glares at him, then stalks off.

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