The Rose Offering

⚠️⚠️ TW: Abusive mother, bullying, foul language, alcohol, self-harm, drugs

I'm a freak. I'm a coward. I'm a loner. I'm a loser. Everyone in school hates me. But then, he doesn't? He looks at me, and he smiles, then he looks away. He looks at her. He's so confusing. I guess I shouldn't get my hopes up, though. She's the prettiest girl in school, valedictorian, sweet to all, and has so many friends. He's top three in his class, second string on his varsity hockey team, treats everyone as equals, and always has a smile on his face and a laugh brimming from his lips. Me, I sit alone in the corner of the cafeteria, always wearing a baggy shirt and sweatpants, my hair in a messy bun that I try to tame. I have no friends, no study buddies, no one to hang out with. I've never been to a party, never drank, smoked, never really had fun of any kind. I stay cooped up in my room, all day, every day. I wake up, shower, get ready, go to school, come home, do homework, eat, sleep, and repeat. So then, why does he always look at me? He's surrounded by a sea of people, including the most perfect girl, yet he catches my eye every day.