As I open my eyes to the sound of a familiar voice "Well don't you look peaceful while sleeping" I open my eyes to see Amy standing in front of me. I sit up and stretch "Miss Wellgafe I was unaware you were in this class, I must have missed you walking in." "Your really gonna call me Miss Wellgafe? Well I won't say I don't appreciate the respect although it feels weird if I'm being honest." "If you would prefer I can call you Miss Amy?" Her face begins to turn red then quickly fades away "No it's fine after all I am your superior '' she says with a confident smile. I see that Lily is staring at me out of the corner of her eyes and Amy seems to notice too.
"Did you go and get a girlfriend already? And here I was hoping to get you myself" "I have absolutely no idea what you are referring to Miss Wellgafe I have no such relationship with anyone." "Are you sure she's staring pretty hard at you." I turn to Lily who notices she's been caught. She looks as if she was going to speak then simply hangs her head. Amy laughs "I'm only joking, take it easy girl embarrassment is not a good look on you". Lily simply nods and lifts her head slightly. "Anyways, Daniel, the first meeting is next week on Monday and don't be late! I'll be waiting for you there!"
"I wouldn't dream of missing it." She smiles and the bell rings. She walks towards the exit and stops suddenly. She pivots on her heel and twirls and blows me a kiss. I pretend to catch it and put it in my pocket. She gives me one more big smile before leaving the room. She's way too much even for me. I stand up and start to walk away.
I suddenly feel a tug on my shirt. I turn around and Lily is looking at me with pleading eyes. I stand there for a moment contemplating before I sigh and tell her to come on. I drop her off at her next class before going to my next one. As I sit down the lunch bell sounds and A lunch students leave to the cafeteria.
I see Ashton walking down the hall to lunch and we lock eyes. He flips me off and makes a strange face and I roll my eyes and point in front of him. He turns a little too late and walks straight into a locker. I laugh and he rubs his forehead and walks away. I sit in my class until I hear the C lunch bell and I stand up and exit the classroom. I begin walking down to the cafeteria where I need to execute the next step of my plan. First I need to find my only other friend I made last year, Month Yoscavitch .
I enter the lunch room and grab a tray, get in line, and enter my lunch code, then exit the line. I look around and I spot him. He has an entire lunch table reserved for himself. Sitting on either side of him are two football players he pays to protect him. Although he doesn't really need it since it's not like this is some sort of mafia movie. But he is the most informed person I know. He is in the middle of talking to someone about something, but they are too far away and it's too loud for me to make out what they are saying.
I walk over and Monty notices me. He stops talking and then looks at his watch "Ah damn, well that's all the time I have to spare so why don't you skedaddle out of here". The guy sitting across from him says "huh? But lunch doesn't stop for another twenty minutes!" "Oh yes I'm aware, but something more important has come up". "That's bullshit! It was twenty dollars to even have this meeting!" Monty simply smiles and whispers something to his security. Two of them stand up and begin to walk towards him.
He immediately gets the message and hastily gets up and walks away. I sit down after that and so does his security.
The professional smile that was plastered on Monty's face fades and becomes a more casual smirk. "Well well well if it isn't my top paying client and second smartest person I know" I smile "who's the first?" He laughs as if it shouldn't be a question "Me of course". We both laugh and then begin to have simple small talk for a moment. "Alright alright I know you didn't just come over here to catch up so let's get down to business." I nod in agreement "show me what you got." He pulls out his laptop and opens it and turns the screen to me.
My eyes widen in surprise the screen displays the horrific increase and decrease in all the different activities happening around the school and area it included-
+33% Increase in local crime
+16% Increase in fighting within school grounds
+35% Increase in fighting off school grounds
+25% Increase to in school theft
-29% Graduation Rate
-36% Enrollment Rate
I simply shake my head "that's terrible". Monty sighs "I couldn't agree more, that's why I doubled up on security, I even have them walk me home now. And I definitely never go out anywhere without at least one friend." "Yeah that's pretty smart, I should probably watch my back from now on."
As we talk about the dangerous district we live in, a commotion is starting in the middle of the cafeteria.
There are two girls arguing, well more of one of them is screaming at the other one while they cover their ears clearly very distressed.
The girl who is yelling has a journal in her hand and she pours milk all over the front of it. Tears begin to start in the eyes of the other girl. I look at Month who notices this as well and ask "what do you have on that girl over there". Monty smiles "planning on showing out?" I smirk. In return "Hell yeah '' Monty tells me some information about her and then I stand up. I throw away my tray and walk over to the custodian and ask for a towel. She hands me one and I begin to walk to the scene.
By this point the girl who I now know is named Brittany is pouring milk on the hair of the other girl. I walk up to her and everyone immediately stares at me. I crouch down in front of her and hand her the towel and say "Hey how's it going you look like you need a little help." Her crying ceases for a moment and she takes the towel and starts to dry her hair with it. I stand back up and look at Brittany.
"Who the hell are you, why are you helping that bitch?" She asks in an irritated tone. "I'm simply someone who will no longer stand for the type of bullshit people like you pull". The crowd mumbles with people saying "naw he tripping" "Damn" "personally I wouldn't take that". Brittany scowls "Do you know who I am?" "Yeah a irrational fool who thinks they can be cool because they bully people"
"What would you know about being cool, I've never even seen you around here before." "I've been around here long enough to know that you're just trying to impress all the boys here by showing out."
A collective Damn can be heard among the students. "That's not true! I could care less about the boys at this school!" I chuckle loudly "Oh yeah? Is that why you let the entire football team run a train on you? Because you could care less?" The entire crowd around us breaks into laughter and screaming. Brittany's face turns beet red. She walks up to me and throws a punch, but I simply step out of the way. She overextends and slips on the milk she spilled on the floor. She screams in frustration and stands up and runs away.
I look back at the girl and see she is no longer crying. Instead she is staring at me holding her hand to her chest with her eyes wide open. I smile at her and say "My apologies for that, but I don't think it will be a problem anymore. Oh how rude of me, my name is Daniel, pleasure to me you." I extend and offer my hand to her. She takes my hand and stands up "Larissa, Larissa Thorton ''.
For the rest of lunch I sat next to Larissa and she told me that this was a regular occurrence last year.Sje explained that she did this because her brother is Brittany's ex and they broke up on bad terms so she takes it out on her. The book she destroyed was her poem book.
"So you write poetry a lot* She nods while gently smiling. "It's one of my few escapes from the annoyance that is the real world. It's amazing to express your feelings in one emotionally in depth poem that explains things you can't explain by normal means." I listen intently, she really seems to know what she's talking about. She's clearly very passionate about the subject as well. "Do you plan on every publishing your poems or doing anything extra with them?" I ask genuinely curious.
Her eyes light up and she happily says "Well I'm actually the president of the literature club." "Ah that's sounds cool" by this point I think I have a pretty good gist of what Larissa is like. A passionate and stern soul lurks within her. She is obviously antisocial, however when it comes to literature she bypasses everyone's expectations and becomes the equivalent of a social butterfly. Standing at 5" 6 with brown hair and fair white skin complemented by hazel eyes. She has the general aura of someone who wants to be left to their own devices, that is until you pique her interest then she seems like she never wants to break away.
I seriously need to become a profiler. I'd be extraordinary at it.
Larissa stares into my eyes practically bouncing up and down in her seat "Would you like to check it out sometime?" I want to say no, I really do because it would interfere with my plan. But at the same time I think I need to stick to the plan and have a social life balance. And plus looking at how eager she is for me to say yes it's honestly making it hard to say no. I internally sign and say "Yeah I think I'll come check it out, what day is the first meeting." She practically bounces out of her seat and grins from ear to ear. "It's on Thursday. I can't wait for you to come check it out!" "Ok then, looking forward to seeing your club."
As she stares at me for what feels like eternity she opens her mouth to speak then the bell rings. I stand up, do a mock salute wave to Larissa and turn and walk away. As I do I hear her voice shout "wait! gimme your number! I stop and turn around, she quickly runs up to me and hands me her phone with an empty contact to fill out. Her eyes seemingly sparkle as she stares at me. I can't help but smile. I put my name and phone number into the contact and handed it back to her. She giddily squeals to herself and I once again wave her off. As I turn I see her put a heart emoji next to my name in the contact.
…
I'm gonna pretend I didn't see that some things are best left forgotten.
After those events I go to my last class for the day. Nothing of particular interest happens. I spent time adjusting my plan around the events that had transpired. I sigh in slight frustration at the amount of change that I had to do to this week's schedule. I swear it's almost as if someone is doing this to me as some sort of cruel humor to test my morals as a human being against my mind as an intellectual. After the class ends and the bell rings I stand up and walk out the classroom. Fortunately for me I have nothing more to do for today.
I exit the building and shield my eyes as the sun beams down upon me. I pull my shades out of my pocket and place them on my face. I take a deep breath and visibly relax my body. It has been an extremely long day. Even though I planned most of the day out and had things to do, it still felt like an eternity. Students are leaving the building hastily behind me walking and sprinting to their buses.
I make advances towards my car.
Suddenly a stinging burst of pain fills the left side of my face and I stagger to the side. I hold my hand to my face in pain. I look to the left and see a football player with his fists up in a fighting stance. I spot Brittany standing next to him with a smirk on her face. I knew this would happen, but just not so soon. Usually fighting a football player is a terrible idea. He's stronger, faster, and sturdier than me. However I have a trick up my sleeve to end this quickly.
"I heard about what you said to my girlfriend, shithead" the football player says. "Oh I'm sorry I thought she was public property judging by how the entire team used her". He scowls at my words and charges at me. I wait until he is within kicking distance and then I kick him in the Peroneal Nerve in his leg. Which temporarily will disable his movement and cause immense pain and numbness.
Obviously not expecting that he drops to the ground holding his leg in agony. He looks at me with malice seething from his gaze. I kick him in the chest pushing him further into the ground. Looks like my martial art training is paying off. I've never been extremely study, fast, or even that strong, but I'm definitely no slouch.
Although perhaps I went overboard in this situation. I should leave before this escalates any further than it has to. I look down at him and say "If you try anything like that ever again, I'll make sure the damage I deal is permanent." Then I walk away quickly to my car. I opened the door and sat down.
For a moment I just lean my head against the steering wheel. I look up to see a teacher talking to the football player, for a moment he looks in my direction. Then he just simply shrugs and wobbles to his feet. That went smoother than I thought. Getting in trouble would severely screw things up. I lean back in my seat and close my eyes and take a deep breath.
As I take a small moment to recover myself I hear a knock on the window. I turn and see Lily with a concerned and embarrassed look on her face. I roll down the window "Lily? Don't you need to catch the bus?" "W-well no not exactly, besides I came to check on you since you know.. you helped me out and I really appreciate it." She almost mumbles the second half of the sentence. Although I appreciate her checking on me, I'm fine and she should really be finding her bus since they are about to be dismissed. "I appreciate it Lily, but you should get going, the buses will be leaving soon."
She fidgets a little and nervously laughs "the buses don't exactly pass by where I live so I have to walk home in the afternoons." I stare blankly at her "In the middle of summer you're walking home in almost 100 degree weather?" She nods with her face turning slightly red. I furrow my eyebrows and shake my head. "Just get in already." She blinks at me rapidly "w-what I can't have you take me home I don't have any money to give you for gas or anything." "Did I ask for any of that?" "W-well no." "Then get in the car and give me your address so I can take you home."
With her face as red as a tomato she enters the passenger side of the car. I hand her my phone with gps pulled up and she puts in there address. She lives about a thirty minute drive away, but almost a two hour walk. I start the engine and pull out of the school. For the first five minutes it's dead silent. Only the sound of a robotic voice giving me directions.
Until I break the silence "So why did you enroll in a school so far away?" "It was the only school that I could get into." "Ah I see, well you shouldn't be walking home in this weather you're gonna give yourself a heat stroke, do you do this in the winter too?" She nods, I shake my head. I know I don't really know her, but helping her could increase my credibility as a person from a social standpoint.
Although with how I'm already being targeted if they see her around me they make assumptions and go for her as well. I believe I could protect her if need be. As we stop at a red light it occurs to me I'm already offering my protection to this girl. Someone that I don't know, perhaps this is just how friendships start. Either way I know exactly what I must say. "Meet me outside everyday after school and I'll drive you home. We can't have you walking around in such weather. Not to mention it's not exactly the best neighborhood around here." Lily stares at me and her eyes begin to fill with tears. I probably should have expected that in hindsight.
At this point tears are pouring from her eyes and she's trying to wipe them away with her sleeves. I opened the compartment in between our seats and handed her a tissue. She takes it and wipes her face off. Eventually the sobs become sniffs until finally silence. All that is said is a quiet "thank you". We sit through the rest of the ride in a comfortable silence. Once we reach the destination I turn to look at her. "Well looks like this is where we temporarily part ways." She smiles nervously "Y-yeah I guess it is." She doesn't move or speak for a moment then says "L-listen you really don't need to do th-." I make a shushing noise and respond "Just make sure you're outside the school in the afternoons waiting by door 9."
She gazes at me then nods and opens the door and gets out. She walks towards her house and turns to wave goodbye. I wave back as I drive off. Luckily for me most after school activities don't start until an hour and some change after school ends at about 4:45 so I'll be able to drive her home and still participate in what needs to be done.
I think about the fact that I've already befriended three girls. That'd be any normal guys dream, but I don't care too much. They all seem to like me though. As a friend I hope. I don't have time for a relationship. This is all too cliche for me, what next I form a harem? I laugh to myself at the thought of my life being a harem anime. I quickly dismiss my thoughts and triumphantly I drive home wondering what tomorrow has in store for me.