Oblivious (bxb) (chapter 3 released)

Chapter 2

11:00 am

I wasn't sure why, but it seemed like I was getting even more work than usual. The major essay that was going to be assigned the next week wouldn't help to ease the workload. I worked on my homework for 5 hours straight every day, and the only thing fueling me was my determination to go to the mall. I finished my work right before the weekend thinking I would feel accomplished, but the overwhelming sensation of burnout was all I felt. It probably wasn't the best idea to work without taking breaks, but it was the choice I made. Regardless of how trashy I felt, I was going to the mall that Saturday. Once I set my mind on something, I'm unstoppable.

There were still a few hours left before I had to go, and I didn't have any extracurriculars on the weekend. I was completely free; it felt so good to say. I plopped onto my couch with some all dressed chips and started binge-watching "Never Have I Ever" on Netflix. I was never really the type to watch rom coms but this one had a firm grasp on me. I was attached to one of the main characters, Paxton, but I shipped Ben and Devi because their personalities would compliment each other if they became a couple. By the way, if you haven't watched it you definitely should.

I think a lot of people could relate to my attachment to Paxton, but the majority of them thought about something more intimate... if you know what I mean. I could never really relate to that, I just wanted a relationship that was more emotionally intimate. I'm not exactly sure what to label those feelings as, but one thing I know for sure is that I am bisexual. There's probably a better label for me, but I'm somewhat satisfied with the one I already have. Not a lot of people know about my sexuality. I've only told my best friends and my immediate family. Telling the rest of my family would be a lot harder, especially because anything LGTBQ+ related is considered taboo in Indian culture and in the Catholic religion. It would take a while before I could muster up enough courage to tell them. Besides, I was in no rush to be in a relationship.

4:55 pm

I was a little early to the mall and I wanted to skim the stores, but I knew that I would probably get lost. My friends and I decided that we would just meet up in the food court because I couldn't go anywhere without losing track of where I was. As you can probably tell, I don't go to the mall that much and I hate going by myself. Going anywhere without someone I knew was extremely intimidating to me. Social anxiety is annoying. It restricted me from doing what I wanted and it was yet another thing that I needed to conquer. Where were they? I felt so awkward standing by myself. It was almost like I placed myself on a stage for everyone to see. I went to go sit down so that I could blend in. The mall was pretty crowded, but an empty table near the New York Fries shop was waiting for me. I spent a few minutes just staring at my phone pretending I was doing something productive, but I was just looking at my settings.

A call from Elliot popped up on my phone. They were finally here. I told them I was near "McDo". That's our way of saying McDonald's. Well, actually we stole it from the French way of saying McDonald's.

Elliot smiled. "Hi, Hollis!"

Catherine followed. "Hi, Hollis. There was so much work this week. I don't even know how I handled it."

"I know right? I barely got any free time. I worked for hours straight." I sincerely hoped that I could re-energize by spending time with them.

"Same, I am so tired," she agreed.

"Can't relate to them AP things," Elliot jokingly said.

"I don't even go to the same school so yeah," Yasmine added. I forgot to mention, Yasmine is another one of my friends, and she goes to St. Macartan. Our friendship was still new, but she was funny and talented, so I was glad we got the opportunity to hangout. "By the way, can we eat lunch first? I'm hungry 'cause I forgot to eat breakfast," she said with a laugh. The rest of us agreed.