We're Just Misfits

Chapter 13 - Ok

ooooh unlucky number foreshadowing ensues

-

Jack wasn't answering his phone.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck and some more fuck." Liam ranted, pacing his room. "Of course he'd still be sensitive, what the fuck were you thinking, Liam?!"

Today had started out so well. Liam had got Elisa back into school, she'd just so happened to meet a very handsome guy with which she was now infatuated with, and he'd teased her all afternoon. But then he makes a couple wrong moves with Jack and all of that positivity goes straight out of the window. The teenager was well aware he needed to learn when to stop, and in most cases he could. But Liam still hadn't completely forgiven Jack for what he did to Elisa – who was he kidding? That was hardly an excuse for rubbing salt in Jack's wound.

Liam had been trying for the past twenty minutes to get Jack to pick up just one call, and he'd sent dozens, but the guy was having none of it. Fair play, Liam supposed as he finally have up. He was working on the basis if he didn't pick up now, then continuing to push him would only make it worse. So, with his best behaviour now engaged, the teenager composed a plea.

"Hey Jack. I'm sorry about earlier – I had just been hanging around with some friends (he was careful not to mention that friend had been Elisa), and I was so used to just being able to piss them off I didn't think. Please don't hate me, I didn't mean to be so rude. I understand if you don't want to talk to me, but please don't let that last too long. You're a cool guy, and I don't wanna ruin the friendship we just started. – Liam" The teenager hit send, having decided at the last second to add his name at the end: he wouldn't be surprised if Jack had deleted Liam's number after the guy was so rude to him.

But what surprised him the most was that a few minutes later, he had a notification – from none other but Jack himself. Liam didn't think he'd ever typed in his password so fast. But he regretted being so quick when he read the response.

"Ok." Was all the text bubble said. Liam gave up once more, knowing he was going to have to fix this situation in person. And, with that thought cluttering his brain, he got ready for bed and fell into an uneasy sleep.

*

Waking up, Liam looked over at his phone to see it was 6am. Wonderful, he thought to himself. The one day I'm not looking forward to school, I have to wake up bright and early. The teenager sighed, and looked around his room groggily as he sat up in his bed. After a few minutes, the Liam has woken up enough to stand up without passing out, and he walked over to his window and tugged the blind open. Daylight poured in, making the poor buy squint at the harsh contrast of his dark room.

Needing to be woken up further, he walked over to his en-suite and turned the shower on, making sure the water was freezing as he stripped off and stepped inside the stall. He shivered violently as the water collided with his skin, but it woke him up much faster than even coffee could. After a few minutes of getting himself clean, Liam stepped out of the shower wrapped in a fluffy towel. He walked over to his wardrobe, and picked out his school uniform, internally moaning at how awful he already knew the day was going to be.

*

Liam walked down the stairs, feeling far better than he had been 20 minutes ago. It was only half six when Liam started making some toast – a miracle, as the boy didn't normally rise from his slumber until 8am. He was, in fact, so early that he beat even his dad downstairs.

"Oh, look at you. You're alive before midday!" The teenager's dad's deep voice called from across the room. His dad strode in, immediately rummaging through the fridge to get some eggs for his usual omelette.

"Hahaha," Liam said jokingly. "I just happened to wake up, so I decided I might as well get ready." The boy said.

"Who are you and what have you done with my son?" His dad asked, laughing.

The two continued the rest of breakfast in a comfortable silence, Liam scrolling through his phone while his dad did the same. When 7am rolled around, they cleaned their dishes, and the teenager's dad went to work, wishing his son a good day. And boy, was he going to need it.

*

Liam arrived at school, hoping to whatever being looked over him that he didn't encounter Jack on his way into the building. And it was either by coincidence or divine intervention, but the teenager made it to the normal point his group of friends would normally meet up. And today was no exception – although there was a change.

Their friend group had remained the same for a while now – in fact, it hadn't changed since Elisa had joined the school. Sure, some kids might occasionally hang out with them, but it had been ages since anyone had actually been welcomed into their morning huddle. But, here was Luke, the shyest guy Liam knew, chatting to everyone like he'd been their friend for years. And it made Liam happy to know the guy was already feeling at home.

He walked over, and everybody welcomed him as he did so.

"Hey Luke." The teenager said, smiling and bumping shoulders with him. "Good to see you're already feeling at home."

"Thanks, man. I mean, blame Elisa: she's the one that dragged me over here. Not that I'm complaining though." He added hastily, the slight shyness returning. "You're all really cool."

Liam smirked "Did she now?" He turned to El as she blushed. "You must really like the new kid on the block then, aye?" The teenager teased, earning a few quiet 'Oooh's from some of his other friends. Immediately, the girl's whole face lit up bright red.

"Yes, he's a good friend. Now screw off." Elisa said, he face still red but her snark returning.

The bell rang, and Liam walked away laughing, momentarily forgetting about the awful situation he had with Jack, and hoping that maybe, just maybe, this day might not be so bad.

At least that'd what he thought until he sat down in class and saw the boy.