Song: Fake Happy
Artist: Paramore
Monday, November 16
It had already gotten dark around 4 PM this time of the year. Snow fluttered slowly to the cold ground outside as Kellain and I worked on our robotics project in the staff room. It was almost time for our competition, and we had everything completed. The others were in the room next door, coding and tweaking everything to perfection. Everything had to be perfect.
"Kellain, Chael, could you make some hot chocolate for us? There's some crackers and cream cheese in the cupboard and fridge, if you don't mind setting up." Mr. Alexander poked his head into the empty room we resided in. I gave him a quick thumbs up and finished painting a mask we would be using as a prop for our presentation.
"Kellain, why don't you get the crackers, they're probably in the top shelf, and we both know I'm too short to reach. I'll make the hot chocolate." She grabbed the foods from their respective places and placed them onto a plate for everybody to share. I poured 12 cups of hot chocolate, and everybody rushed in to grab their share of food before it was all gone.
"Hey, watch it! I'm still holding something hot! Stop running around guys!" I yelled at them as I slowly made my way over to the table of food while holding onto my hot beverage for dear life. If it spilled, not only would my pants and shirt be ruined, but my hands would be hurting for 3 days at most.
The plate is mostly empty, just a couple of broken crackers and crumbs. My eye twitched angrily as I sat down in my chair with a big sigh. Everybody chatted happily among themselves, giggling and whispering. Kellain slid in beside me, holding out a couple of intact crackers for me to take. I thanked her and ate one. We all sipped on or hot chocolates as our teachers/coaches prepared for their little speech about how much progress we've made so far.
"Alright, everybody settle in." Ms Kota sat in the chair up at the front of the table and Mr. Alexander sat in the seat to her right, parallel to where I was currently seated.
"What's the big news this time?" One of our members whispered to another, giggling. They two of them burst into laughter as we stared at them in confusion.
"Well, I'm sure that you all know that we have a competition coming up soon. I was very pleased to hear that the research team has completed their project, but the coding team is still slacking. We need to pick up the pace, people! We are running out of time, and I cannot afford for you all to be laughing and slacking off. You especially, Ryze. Stop making random screeching noises all the time. It's annoying." She glared at the two members who were still laughing. They stopped after they noticed that they were being watched. Mr. Alexander continued for her.
"I appreciate that you all are trying to have fun while we're doing this, but you need to focus now, because if you don't, all your effort would have been for nothing. So please, if you want to make it to Provincials, please start working seriously." The meeting ends there, and we're set off to work until 5:30.
Kellain and I are left alone in the staff room again, where the chairs are messy and there are cracker crumbs everywhere. I ignore the mess and start working.
"Hey, Kellain, do you every feel like we're always being over-looked? Like we're the minority?" I asked her seriously, while continuing to paint the paper mache mask. I can see her look up at me for a second before going back to fixing our project.
"Yeah, I do. Hey, did you get into the high school you applied for?" She asked me as she stretched her legs out. I stopped painting to relax for a bit and to check the time.
"Yep. I'm sort of sad that you're not coming to the same school, Kel. I'm going to be so lonely there." I wiped away fake tears and we both burst into laughter. Kellain had decided to go to our home high school, since it was more convenient for her mother to keep track of where she was going.
"I'm sure you'd make new friends. You're an awesome person underneath that scowl of yours." I pouted and used the brush to wipe some paint on her. She tried to wipe some on me, but ended up getting it on the couch we were sitting on.
"It's not that scary! I'm not that scary... Shut up and stop laughing!" We both giggled uncontrollably like little kids. It went on forever, until Mr. Alexander found us doubled over the couches and tables, tears spilling from joy.
We calmed down after a while, and before we knew it, it was time to go home. Kellain and I went our separate ways, and I heard Margaret laughing with other teammates behind me. My mouth held a bitter taste in it as I pulled down my hood and rushed home as quickly as my legs could carry me, under the night sky.
~
It was 8:30 by the time I was finished with all my assignments and chores. I sat down in front of my desk and pulled out my phone to check my social medias. As usual, there were no texts to me, no calls, no e-mails, just one lonely person with an invisible account. I don't want to be the one always looking for a conversation. A notification appears on the screen, showing an Instagram post with happy people and a boring caption. My face crumbles as I put down my phone and rest my head in my arms.
I hear another notification. And then another. And soon my phone goes off every 3 seconds. I angrily snatch my phone from where it rested to see who or what was trying to get my attention. It was Aiden. But why would he be texting me? I've never interacted with him at all before, except for acknowledging his presence when he was around.
cubing_tortoise_: Hey u up still?
MiserableAtBest: Why are you texting me, Aiden?
cubing_tortoise_: R u Chael?
MiserableAtBest: Congratulations, you won the guessing game. Pick your prize, leave or leave.
cubing_tortoise_: I think I'll stay, ty
MiserableAtBest: What do you want?
cubing_tortoise_: 2 talk 2 u?
MiserableAtBest: Yeah right, nobody ever wants to talk to me.
cubing_tortoise_: U wouldn't believe how much ppl want 2 talk 2 u. Ur just scary to them tho.
MiserableAtBest: That doesn't make me feel any better.
cubing_tortoise_: Just show them that ur not scary. Easy.
MiserableAtBest: Easy for you to say, you don't have RBF Syndrome.
cubing_tortoise_: Lol. Just lighten up a bit.
MiserableAtBest: I'll try my best?
cubing_tortoise_: Then ur gud in my books.
MiserableAtBest: Thanks?
I turn my phone off and stop.
I'm so tired.
YOU ARE READING
Caving In
Ficción General"Do you really want me here?" "I-I..." "You've always been pretending, in front of me, and behind me. Haven't you?" Chael Sans Raider is not having the best time of her life, especially since her friends are always leaving her behind. She wants to f...
