The Hive

Chapter 1

Track is probably the most indescribably horrendous activity ever created. This didn't take long for me to decide. With my little to no physical capability and frightening ability to over-sweat, the whole thing completely put me off. It didn't help that absolutely all my friends are obsessed with the physical torture, therefore, I am forced to participate. 

Not that my contribution matters, but it beats sitting on the steps at lunch all alone in embarrassment. Well, I wouldn't be all alone, I know that. Charlie May, my childhood friend and who always finds a way to make an effort with me. I know for sure I'd have him. He's one of those guys that doesn't lose their charm to high school toxic masculinity and unachievable reputation. Unfortunately, nearly every guy in my senior year has succumbed to the horrific transformation in personality where displaying underage girls' nudes is more impressive than anything else. 

I wish more of them were like Charlie. They could definitely learn a thing or two. I can't even remember a single conversation I've had with any of them that was meaningful whatsoever. And my friends wonder why I'm so opposed to the notion of the conforming high school dating experience. In all honestly, you could hardly call it 'dating'. Most of them put up with each other long enough to feel some sort of connection that isn't physical but of course, it never happens. My alarm beeps reminding me to leave my house on time for track practise before school. I grab my track bag and dash out the door, managing a rushed 'Cya' to my mother. 

'Bye Bee!' She calls back, vigorously waving her navy acrylics at me before returning to her catastrophic work emails. Sometimes I wonder if my mother named my Bee because that's what she is; as busy as one. 

I think she forgets about me sometimes. That I don't really fit in. That I never really have. I think Charlie sees that about me. It's comforting to know I have someone who somewhat gets it, even if we are pretty different individuals. My best friend Alexis waits for me by the end of our connecting street and calls me over. 

'Good! You're here, come quick I think I saw Kyle pass just now' Alexis squeals in excitements pointing to a vague spot in the distance. 

I don't have the guts to tell her how much I really hate Kyle. Alexis is the type of girl who could be told by every person in the world that she is beautiful, and never believe it until that one person who doesn't think so validates her. Not that this would be difficult for her. Nearly every single guy at school has tried to pursue her, I mean how could they not. 140cm of pure elegance is kind of hard to ignore. Apparently the only person who does is Kyle. For some godforsaken reason, Alexis is utterly obsessed with him (probably because he isn't as infatuated with her as every other boy at our school). With probably less than one overall brain cell combined, Kyle is the most clueless and average teenage boy I could come up with. But in Alexis' eyes, he's heaven in a boy. 

'I think I would rather run track than do that' I state, begrudgingly catching up to Alexis' increasing pace down the street. My thick curls begin to bounce whilst jogging, which even tires me out a tad. Strands of raven hair fall into my mouth and I attempt to brush them off effectively. Of course, Alexis' perfect shiny blonde hair doesn't fall anywhere other than her perfect middle part. How does it not even look bad when she's running?

'No luck' she sighs, giving up after a few minutes of obsessive looking. 

I bend over, breathing unnecessarily loudly, 'Good'. 

I really think I should have eaten something for breakfast, my head starts to feel increasingly faint. My vision blurs slightly and my knees are wobbling unsteadily. Unknowingly, my sweaty body collapses. A pair of strong arms clutch me from behind. My mind feels a little too hazy to register it. Assuming it's Alexis, I pat the arms in appreciation, attempting to steady myself up properly. 

'Fainting from jogging? Really Bee?' A voice echoes from behind me. 

Axel Jean. Probably one of the most unbearably arrogant boys in all our year. It honestly shocks me the kid even knows my name, he usually doesn't with most. I push away his hands from my shoulders as Alexis helps me up. 

Faltering slightly, I muster, 'Wow Axel, remembering a name other than your one of your conquests, nice!'

I can tell my sarcasm has irked him. A vein strengthens beneath his chestnut curls accordingly. 

'Actually that's what I'm here for Bumblebee, Alexis was tryna see if I could get your snap real quick' Axel smugly places his phone into Alexis' free palm. 

Alexis passes his phone back unbothered, 'Pass'. 

We giggle jogging away from the rare sight of Axel Jean experiencing a rejection. My stomach flutters with pride as an embarrassed Axel trots away. 

'Slow down Bee you might faint again' Alexis giggles throwing her arm around me, 'I mean can you believe the nerve of that kid?'

I nod in agreement as we enter through the school gates where our small group of friends awaits us. 

'Ready for your favourite activity ever Bee?' Cait calls over, next to our friends Elle and Sabrina. 

In all honesty, after my embarrassing fainting stunt I just pulled I really don't think I should run today. At least one good thing came out of Axel Jean, my sanctuary from running at 8 in the morning. 

'Bee just fainted from jogging here to school I think she's got to sit this one out today girls' Alexis pats me jokingly on the back as the girls giggle off to morning practice. Cait jokingly jogs off and mockingly faints. They cry out hysterically. How I wish I was like them. Just like them. 

'Should I pretend like I know what Cait is doing?' Charlie says from next to me. His presence startles me, as though he appeared from nowhere. Sometimes Charlie is like that, he just comes out of nowhere and all of a sudden he's there. To be fair in his statement, Cait really looks confusing in her attempted jogging-fainting recreation. 

'Don't worry, only the mockery of my existence' I reply as we begin to walk over to the waiting steps. My vision begins to blur again and I falter in my steps. I desperately hope I don't faint again, twice in the span of ten minutes would truly be embarrassing. I squint my eyes shut so tightly, practically begging my brain to function normally.

'You OK?' he asks placing his hand on my back as I sink into a cool metal waiting-seat. I force my eyes open, revealing Charlie's gentle brown eyes staring back into mine. 

'I'm OK' I reply. I know if I recount my awkward encounter with Axel that I will not only avoid embarrassment, but Charlie incessantly asking if I'm okay for the rest of the day. not that I don't appreciate his concerns, he's probably one of the few people that continually cares about me, but I really don't want to be reminded before every class. But of course, Charlie knows something is up. The exact same way its been ever since we were kids. 

He edges over closer to me, staring at me with a continual glare, 'Spill it, Bee, what's up?'.

Knowing that he probably won't drop it until I confess, I tell him the events of my mockery in front of Axel. We soon laugh at every detail together as the girls run laps around us. Suddenly, I'm glad I told Charlie because I know he doesn't make fun of me in the same manner that the girls would. He just automatically gets it. Gets me. Additionally, I'm grateful to have escaped the morning sprints this practise, which look almost unthinkable to attempt. 

After a half-hour of friendly banter with Charlie the girls come back from running to collect their bags which they scattered among my feet to watch over. 

'For the record' Charlie calls to me before heading to class, 'I would have much rather asked for your Snapchat over Alexis'.