Lying on my bed I gaze up at the ceiling of my dorm room. Yeah this is the life I live. I'm in my second year of college and nothing is going on. Everything is still the dull grey and white color in Dorm 2. While everyone listens to the same tune, dances to the same dance, plays the same game- I'm still in my dorm minding my own business.
There are very few people on this campus I trust and talk to such as my fiancée and the few friends that I have. But even then it's very little since I rarely see them. I'm the only one who's a second year while the rest are in third, fourth or have already. So yeah I'm pretty much the lone wolf here.
I look at my engagement ring that Max had given me in my senior year of high school- a black round metal circle with a red gem. It was after my graduation when she had decided to propose to me. Honestly I would've been a total wreck if it weren't for her. Not just her but my other friends as well. High school was hell for me and I was lucky that I had my crew, The Outliers, with me.
Speaking of Max, I often wonder how she's doing. I haven't seen her since she's left school for her band, The Shadow Sisters. Doesn't really help since she recently cut ties with her foster parents who haven't done shit for her tuition. Maybe I should catch up with her when she's free.
I sigh and slide off my bed. Clearly my head's fucked up and I need a walk off this damn campus. I honestly hate it here.
Slipping out of my messy room and into the dim hall, I slip on my sweatshirt, headphones and hat- my social armor. It's like I'm a knight in a dark cave trying to avoid dragons- or in my case other people. Hopefully I don't get found out by people. The hallway, I swear to god, smells awful- as if a thousand stinky skunks slipped into the dormitory. Have any of these idiots heard of soap or air fresheners?
Suddenly I hear a major gruff and shrill, "OH COME ON!"
Oh god, it's that time of day again. It's the Fedora Brigade. Those idiots always start the day with a card game. Look I don't mind card games or video games or any sort of games. I'm just annoyed that these morons are still awake at 4 AM. This is supposed to be my peace and quiet and you idiots are ruining it.
I enter the main hall of the dorm to see the group of young dudes playing a card game with chips and soda. Some of these were skinny. Some of them were fat. But the most common feature of them were the damn hats. I swear I get the feeling that somewhere Frank Sinatra is rolling in his grave.
"What do ya mean I lost?!" I can hear the shrill voice of Josh O'Reilly. He is a scrawny looking mook, with scraggly light brown hair, and an equally scraggly mustache. His usual attire consists of a black graphic T-shirt, khaki pants, sneakers and a wide brimmed hat.
"Face it, O'Reilly," smirks the chubby guy across from him, "you clearly have no game. No matter what deck you use."
"B-but!" Josh stutters, "I have all the cards! You're clearly cheating, Derek!"
The fat kid shrugs, "Not my problem, Joshie boy. Get good next time so you can actually win for once."
The other Fedoras chuckle. Clearly group thinking is involved among one another. No wonder I can't stand them. If it's not their grating personalities it's their conformity.
They must've smelt my disgust because one of them, a heavy set dude, perks his head up and notices me, "Yo, Jack!"
Oh god, please leave me alone. Not today, guys. Of all days, not today. Why do they even wanna remember my name
"Wanna battle? I'll play you!" Heavy slaps the table with his meaty palm. The others also clammer up with similar remarks.
"Yeah come on!"
"Battle Hank buddy!"
"C'mon, Jacko!"
I shake my head. Normally I wouldn't mind playing games with my friends. But that's the thing- these guys AREN'T my friends. And yet Josh, my former roommate freshman acts like we're best friends. Never mind the fact that he is kinda creepy talking about girls, the same TV show all the time, and constant playing of games when it's not needed. Doesn't help that Josh is a massive slob despite not looking like a hog. And personally he's the kind of person that I don't wish to further engage with.
"Oh COME ON, Jack!" Josh's shrill voice enters my ears, "Give us a chance!"
"Not interested," I snap, as I slowly walk to the door.
"But Jack-" Josh whines.
"Josh, I'm not interested. Please leave me alone."
At the sound of my last sentence I can hear the jeering as I walk past them.
"Typical Jack!"
"Always being arrogant!"
"You think you're tough shit, Landon!"
"Why are you friends with him, Josh?"
"He's just like the normies!"
I mentally sigh. That's a normal thing I hear. I'm too arrogant to hang out with others. I don't personally think I'm personally above anyone but then again people often say I am- just because I don't join parties or big groups. Maybe I'm more interested in people I like. Ever thought of that, muppets?
As I flip off these idiots, I slip through the door into the cold air of the Northwest. Frankly I love winter- not sure why. Cloudy weather has a strange kind of beauty. While I'm not against the idea of clear skies, clouds in a dark sky usually give me a sense of tranquility. I'm weird like that.
Walking across the morning dew gives me a sense of ease. The crisp air on the campus is like waking up and smelling the coffee- the perfect method to a morning. Doesn't hurt that today is Friday and I don't have classes today. So maybe I can chill out before breakfast. This is the perfect time to get up and start the day- even at 3 in the morning. At the very least I don't have to run into anyone.
My thoughts are interrupted by a thump on the pavement. I turn to see a football bouncing in my direction. Without thinking twice I hold out my hands to nab the ball. The rubber sphere immediately plops into my grasp feeling damp-possibly due to the grass which has been sprinkled during midnight.
"Nice catch, Jack!" I hear a booming Australian accent.
I turn to the direction of the voice- a broad looking dude wearing his usual red Under Armor long sleeve and black football shorts with white cleats. His jet black hair is long in a crew cut and his eyes are grey with his olive skin shining from the morning practice sweat.
"You up and early, Danny?" I toss the football back to him to which he stops the rolling of the ball with his foot.
Daniel Jaeger grins his face lightening up underneath the dark morning, "Hey you knew me, mate- always up in the morning. Football season doesn't take breaks as much. What about you?"
I shrug, "Eh just the usual shit. Going for a morning walk." Frankly there's not much to do on this campus that interests me. Personally I would rather go on a road trip with Max and not come back to this college town.
Danny claps me on the shoulder, "Can't blame you, mate. This campus doesn't have much to offer. Football is the only reason I bother."
"I can tell." Danny was big into football for a long time since he came from Australia. No matter what you see of Danny you would see a potential David Bekham figure on campus. At the very least he has a goal at the end of the day.
Danny balances the ball on his hip, "Anyway, I'm kinda done for this morning, Jack. Care if I join you on your walk?"
"Eh knock yourself out." Honestly Danny is one of my only friends on this campus and I only recently met him since freshman year of college. At the very least I have at least one ally on campus. Besides I like Danny- he seems pretty chill and down to earth. Compared to certain other athlete types on this campus
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Danny and I pass the ball to one another as we walk around the campus. It's a good passing the time with a good friend that I can trust.
"So mate," Danny dribbles the ball as we head near the campus cafe, "how're things between you and your fiancee. The other blokes told me you're engaged."
"Max has been busy with music for the most part." I jam my hands in my pockets. I haven't seen Max since she dropped out but we have communicated via text and face calls.
"Ya mean the Shadow Sisters?" Danny passes the ball to me.
"Yeah pretty much," I reply, stopping the ball with my foot, "Isn't your lass with the Shadow Sisters as well?"
"Kris? Yeah that's her. Been with each other for nearly 3 years." So apparently both Danny and I are dating punk girls. Not to mention said girls are both affiliated with one another. This planet is small after all.
"And how about you and your missus, Jack?" Danny stops for a bit of a stretch.
I dribble the ball a bit, "Been with her since sophomore year of secondary school. Senior year she proposed."
"Aye, dude!" he claps me on the shoulder, " 5 years and engaged! Pretty deep hasn't it?" It honestly is. I didn't even think Max and I would last one month let alone become engaged. Then again it was pretty much us and our small group of friends, The Outliers, against the student body- our usual gang of outsiders. And out of all of the people in our group, Max has been the closest to one another. More than just friends. I honestly miss her and want to meet up with her.
"Been through hell together," I reply, passing the ball back to Danny.
"I can tell," Danny stops the ball on his foot, "I've been through my own hoops with Kris myself."
"Is that a couple thing?" I ask. Apparently couples seem to go through a trial and tribulation. It's not just myself and Max but it's also our friends, Shaun and Alyx as all four of us have been mocked multiple times in high school for our relationships.
"Apparently so," Danny kicks up the ball and holds it to his hip, "back in Australia before we came here we both were outcasts."
"You and Kris? Outcasts?" Danny seems like a pretty popular and chill guy. How the hell is he an outcast?
Before Danny can answer, a cacophony of noise pierces my ear from inside the cafe. It's like death metal and animals combined- it makes me want to get a hearing aid early.
"The hell?!" Even Danny looks taken aback, "That don't sound good. And I know one of those voices!"
"Wait, for real?" I turn to him.
Danny rushes ahead, "C'mon we gotta check it out!"
Before I know it I'm hot on his heels.
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Inside the cafe there seems to be a bunch of people yelling over each other once me and Danny arrive. As I try to hear the commotions I can sense out a few familiar voices- my friends Shaun, his girlfriend, Alyx, Brennan and Tom.
"How about you muppets leave us alone? What is your bloody beef with us?"Shaun stands in front of the other crowd holding his fist out, as Alyx tries to hold him back. Brennan meanwhile is holding a shaking Tom.
One of the people of the other crowd strides forward - a skinny blonde dude wearing a white polo with the collar flipped up, blue skinny jeans, white trainers and sunglasses over his head. I know the other guy- Adam Gareth, Max's ex and our mortal enemy. The hell is he doing here?
Adam chuckles smugly as he steps in front of Shaun, "Just catching up on old times, D'Souza. That's all. How you been, buddy?"
Shaun scoffs, "Don't 'buddy', me you bellend. You've been hassling me and my mates for a long time since your ex left you. And now you're bothering our new mate over there." He indicates to the shivering Tom. I look from Tom to Adam back to Tom again- what did this scumbag do to our new guy?
Adam holds up his hand feigning innocence, "Hey its not my fault that this nice kid is joining with scumbags like yourself. Besides, can I take Tommy boy under my wing." The other pricks behind him start laughing.
This is the last straw- I know from the day we met in freshman year, Tom has always been a shy kid. As very little I know of the kid, Alyx had decided to take him under her wing thus making him one of the Outliers group.
I decide to step forward between Shaun and Adam glaring at the skinny blonde jock head. For a long time Adam and I have had a long history since Max and I have started dating so it's clear that he has it out to me.
"Get real, Gareth," I saunter up to Adam, "You seem to have some obsession with us because we're close to your ex."
I can hear murmurs around the cafe, some voices behind me saying my name. Even Danny looks shocked as he stares at this showdown.
Meanwhile, Adam's grin grows bigger, "Well if it isn't the leprechaun. I can't believe the punk bitch downgraded from a ferrari to a fucking buggie. Oh and rumor has it that you two are fucking on the side. Care to elaborate on that, Landon?"
I cross my arms hopefully hiding my clenched fists underneath my biceps. It's taking all that I can from hitting this smug asshole. Adam always throws my relationship with Max out there. Sounds to me despite cheating on her, he seems to still be around.
"Our relationship is none of your business, Goldilocks," I lower my voice to keep myself from screaming, "What the fuck are you even doing here? I thought you were in Alpha University with the rich cats." Last I heard of Adam was when he graduated from Omega High to Alpha University- a wealthy college where the top students and athletes perform. So how was Mr Football Hero here?
For some odd reason that seems to hit a nerve with Adam. I can sense a blood vessel pop in his head. From where it came from God only knows.
"Oh you think you're a funny guy, huh Gingerbread?" he turns to pick up a paper cup filled with some liquid caffeine.
"No," I reply, not giving a shit what he throws at me, "just saying why are here if you're in Alpha." As far as I'm concerned he has no reason to be here considering Omega and Alpha are pretty much arch-enemies.
"Well," Adam flashes an arrogant smirk, "for one thing I just came to visit you guys. Just missed my old pals from Omega High School. And I guess since I became higher I thought I'd get you a gift." He steps forward to me, cup in hand, "Here, Jack. Just like old times." Before I could blink, I feel some hot dark liquid splashing onto my face and chest- black coffee. The strong smell pierces my nostrils as the heat hits my body. Not only do I smell like old fertilizer but I'm drenched in the only sweatshirt I have. Thanks a lot Adam.
I can hear gasps from my friends behind me as Adam's goons start laughing behind him.
"Glad to see that nothing has changed. Trash is always trash. I suggest to your little pal over there that he thinks about his real friends." I can sense Adam's malice through his voice as I feel Tom's fear behind me, hearing him call my name behind me.
Before I can react I hear another voice behind me, "Oye! Gareth! The fuck is wrong with you!"
I rub my eyes and open them to see Danny shove Adam backwards, much to my surprise. Where the hell did Danny come from?
Even more shocked is Adam's face, "Jaeger! The fuck are you doing here!"
Danny gives his death glare at Adam, "I should be asking you that, Gareth! You don't even go to this bloody campus! Plus why are you going after Jack and his mates for?"
Adam's face goes from white with shock to flushing with anger, "You clearly don't know the situation do you, Dan?"
"As if I give a fuck!" Danny snaps where he is nose nose to nose with Adam.
"Oh but you should, Danny boy," Adam grasps him by the shoulders, "I don't know if you know but Landon and his friends are the lowest of the lows. None of them interact with others outside of their own circle of misfits. So why would you want anything to do with a loser like Jack Landon?"
As much of a prick Adam is, he has a point. None of us often play in the reindeer games that he and others would create. That's because back in school and social settings, we would often stay somewhere else. If other kids would play in the playground we would sit and play on the other side of the school. It doesn't help that Adam had treated Max badly and in turn rallied a lot of people against us being the scumbag that he is. So for the most part we are kind of outsiders.
Danny however doesn't look disturbed, "And? So what if they don't talk to anyone outside of their circle? Jack at least is honest with himself."
Adam looks shocked- as if Danny took a trophy, "But you don't know-"
"Fuck if I know!" Danny shoves Adam again, "just leave these folks alone! All of you idiots!"
We stand there in surprise. Who would've known old Danny Jaeger had balls against a pompous prick like Adam Gareth.
Adam sneers at all of us, Danny included, "It's your funeral, Jaeger. But don't say I didn't warn you." He turns to glare at Tom who tries not to make eye contact, "Oh and Tom, I say watch yourself, kid. You and Danny have no idea who they are."
Adam snaps his fingers as he and his gang of constipated jocks and frat boys saunter off. Shaun flips them off behind their backs as they exit the cafe. Did I mention I honestly hate Adam Gareth?
Alyx, Brennan and Tom had meanwhile run to my side, "Jack!" Alyx cries holding my arm, "Did it hurt?"
I shrug, "It's Adam. He's done this for a long time."
"Still dude," Brennan hands me a pile of napkins to wipe off the coffee stains, "that must've been boiling hot."
"Not really, Bren," I reply, "it just smells off and I probably need to take a shower later." I patted down my jacket as I take it off. Atleast I'm wearing a long sleeved under this.
Tom shyly looks up at me, "Jack, I'm really sorry. But he wouldn't leave me or the others alone. All because one of his goons tripped me."
Tripped? Jesus Adam are you back in middle school?
I pull the kid closer to my chest, "Not your fault, Tom. Adam and his goons have been after us for years. I'm sorry that you got involved with our bullshit."
Tom wraps his arms around my chest and sobs. He honestly reminds me of my niece and nephew in a way. The two of us have had a kinship since freshman year of college. And while it took a while I can honestly say that I can trust Tom Park.
"You guys okay?" Danny strides over to us, "Sorry about that bullshit. Gareth is such an arsehole."
"We're fine," Alyx smiles and nods at the soccer player, "thanks for helping us out by the way." She sticks out her hand, "Alyx by the way. This is my boyfriend Shaun and our friends Tom and Brennan." Shaun and Brennan give friendly nods while Tom looks up at Danny shyly
"Danny Jaeger. Pleasure to meet you." Danny takes Alyx's hand and shakes it.
"Pleasure is ours, mate," Shaun claps him on the shoulder, "any friend of Jack's is a friend of ours."
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We decide to pick up breakfast at the cafe and sit in a spot pretty far away from the others. Luckily for me Danny has a spare hoodie so I can borrow for a bit. Sure it has the Omega colors- silver and blue- but its better than nothing. Atleast I have a clean sweatshirt.
"You can keep it mate," Danny takes a bite out of his egg whites, "I honestly got two by accident. No clue why."
"Cheers, mate," I nod towards Danny's direction.
Danny turns to the others, "So what happened earlier with Gareth? Sounds like it wasn't pretty."
Shaun snorts, "Apparently because Tom here is associated with us, Adam uses this as an excuse to lump him as an outsider."
"Jesus, it sounds like there's a long history with you lot!" Danny's eyes shoot up.
"Understatement of the millenium," Brennan takes a bite of his sausage sandwich, "Adam has been our long time nemesis since he hurt and cheated Jack's fiancee."
"Wait," Danny turns to me, "you're engaged to his ex?"
I nod, "I think that's why he has it out for me the most." Adam has always targeted me in particular. Apparently he's not over Max if that's how he sees her- as a fucking stepping stone. No wonder he still bothers her after he cheated on her.
Tom looks at me as he puts his spoon in his yogurt, "That must've been rough, Jack."
I shrug as I sip my coffee, "I'm used to it. Let's just say Adam isn't the worst." If it's not Adam there are a lot of bullies from preschool to the end of high school. At this point none of it bothers me anymore. Guess you can call it early trauma to the point where one is numb to it.
Alyx holds my hand, "It's not something one should get used to though, Jack." I turn to look at my childhood best friend. Out of everyone Alyx knows me the longest. She knows my pain as we both grew up in the same school system being considered in the Special Program. From that point on we became inseparable- like brother and sister. I can sense the worry in her dark brown eyes.
I lower my guard down and squeeze her hand, "I'll be okay. I just need to get out of this damn place for a while."
Shaun who just finished his sandwich pipes up, "Mate if you need a break I think we all should head to-" He pauses before looking around to make sure nobody follows is, "The Plaza later tonight."
I can sense nods from everyone including Danny who has no idea what Shaun is talking about. I guess he probably wants out later. I think that's a good place to be for later tonight. The Plaza- which is an abandoned building which Shaun's dad purchased- is our usual private hangout place. It was the place for living, with a bar, and everything. It's kind of like a mini house for the D'Souza family. It also doesn't hurt that Shaun's sister Lara who is married to my older sister, Claire and they both officially live in the building along with Max. Maybe being in familiar territory can help me heal up.
"Sure, that can work," I nod finishing the last of my egg and sausage biscuit and my hashbrown, "Danny what says you, mate? The Shadow Sisters usually come by and your lass is there."
"Sounds great, mate," Danny smiles, "you guys will love Kris. She's pretty cool."
"Then it's settled," Shaun nods, "tonight we meet up with the other Outliers at the Plaza. Jack I say you crash there for the weekend. Maybe two days with Max will help you recuperate."
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After splitting from the group, I had decided to heading back to my dorm for a shower and a fresh change of clothes. I still can smell black coffee on my body- thanks a lot, Adam.
I'm just about to head into the shower when a foul odor enters my nostrils. I don't know how to describe- the best I can think of is a combination of expired fried chicken and ass. Ew. But I know only one person who can emit that kind of smell. No it's not Josh- as foul as Josh's hygiene is it can't compared to the combination of literal fried shit. No it's someone even worse.
I enter the bathroom to see the rotund, hairy, greasy grotesque figure of Doug Underwood- leader of the Fedora Brigade. No wonder I smelt fried chicken- he always goes to Chikin in a Bucket.
I don't want to stay too long so I sneak past him. I'm just about to slip into the shower when I feel a warm clammy hand on my exposed shoulder. Fuck, he found me.
"Hello, Jackson," I can hear Doug's nasally voice as well as smell his potato chip breath. I also hate it when he calls me by my full name. It's Jack not Jackson.
"What do ya want, Douglas?" If he can play the full name game so can I.
"I heard that you bailed on us," his hot sour breath seeps its way into my ear, "that's very disrespectful."
"Ask me if I care." Am I an asshole? Yeah I am. But atleast I stand for what I believe in. I don't compromise my beliefs to satisfy some smug fatass. Besides if people want to paint me as an outcast- so be it. It's like a normal day for me.
"You know, Jackson," Doug squeezes my shoulder causing it to ache, "you're not gonna make any friends with that attitude. But I can think of a way you can make it up to me."
"Oh I can't wait."
"Introduce me to that cute lady you're hanging with," he whispers in my ear, with his prickly whiskers brushing against my neck, "then I can convince people that you're not a bad person."
I chuckle to myself. As if this fat tub of lard has any sway on people. Only sway he has is in his own group which isn't even a tenth of the student population. Besides I'm not giving this animal any information on Alyx. She's already been through a lot of sexual harassment from these creeps- one more will stress her out.
"You and what army, Douglas?" I smirk under my breath.
He must've heard me because before I knew it, I'm shoved into the shower by an angry hairy meatball. Seems like I upset the beast.
"Listen you little shit," he growls at me, looking as red as a tomato, "everyone on this campus wanted to know you. People offered you a hand and you kept swatting it away. You never give people a chance to get to know you and vice versa. You're trash then, and you're trash now."
I arrogantly snicker. Who the fuck is he to tell me I'm trash when I'm atleast honest with myself? And then there's this asshole acting all high and mighty trying to tell me how I should interact with people. You're an idiot, Doug.
Before I can say something else, another voice pipes up behind Doug.
"Yo, Underwood! Lay off him, man!"
Doug turns to face the angry face of Luke Vlachos, Tom's boyfriend. Luke is built like a Greek God with his olive skin and chiseled abs with his lower body wrapped in a towel. Honestly Tom knows how to pick good looking men despite being an outcast.
"Mind your business, Lucas," Doug growls, "this is a talk between men. So lay off!"
"I can say the same thing about you, tubby!" Luke shoots back, "You've been hassling Tom for a long time and now you're harassing Jack! So what if Jack doesn't wanna chill with you? It's his choice!" Thank you, Luke. It's like you get me or something. Normally I don't like athletes in our school but Luke and Danny are some exceptions.
"Whatever," Doug rolls his eyes, "but don't think this is the last you've seen of me, Jackson." He trudges off outside the bathroom. Thank god the smell is gone.
"Sorry about that, Jack," Luke gives me a thumbs up, "You okay chief?"
I shrug, "I've had worse. But thanks, Luke."
Luke smiles, "No prob buddy. Any friend of Tom is a friend of mine." Luke seems like a chill dude- no wonder Tom fell for him.
As I close the shower curtain, and turn the knob I can hear Luke from the other stall, "So Jack, what's been happening?"
I shrug as the hot water hits my body, "Same shit different day. Nothing ever fucking changes."
"Feel you there, pal," Luke agrees as I hear the shower turn on in his stall, "same with me- football, extra work, no time to relax or just be me. I don't even have much time to take Tom out for a date."
In a way I can see where he's coming from. Despite being considered a strong football player its stressful for him, not even time to enjoy himself. Perhaps I should text Tom to invite him over one day to the Plaza.
"Ah well," Luke speaks up, "it is what it is. Hopefully things settle down later. By the way, Tom and Danny told me about the fight you had with Adam Gareth."
"Everyone knows huh?" Then again word does spread around in Omega U.
"Yeah, you and Danny handled that shit," Luke applauds from his stall, "Honestly I would've decked fucking Gareth." I can tell from Luke's tone of voice that he's not too fond of Adam.
"Yeah well," I respond, scrubbing my body with soap, "he's not the first goon I dealt with. Why do you think I'm not that popular?"
Luke chuckles, "That's what I like about you, Jack. You're not afraid to be yourself and you don't give a shit what people think of you. Wish I had that thick skin, dude."
Trust me, Luke, you don't want this kind of thick skin. And you especially don't want to know how I got it.