Josh

Ezra made a huge mistake, walking around while reading a very thick book, and after a breakfast with Ian telling me that I'd have to go to more practises, and Kieran taking the piss for no good reason, I was in a somewhat vindictive mood.

As I continued the walk to my first class, and Ezra came down from the opposite direction, his nose still stuck in that stupid book (it was probably an encyclopaedia of the best emo bands or something). As I passed him, I bumped into him roughly, almost slamming my shoulder into his.

He scrambled to catch the book before it hit the floor, a look of genuine panic on his face. Once he made sure that it was okay, he shot me a glare-- though it wasn't very effective, because there was still too much fear in his eyes.

I shrugged. "Whoops. Didn't see you there, I guess."

I continued on to class.

-+-+-+-+-+-

Going from the last class before lunch to the dinner hall, I wasn't paying attention. Personal devices had been allowed, and the WiFi turned back on, so I had my focus on my phone instead of my path.

Somewhere between the classroom and the dinner hall, someone slammed headfirst into my chest.

I fumbled backwards at the impact, even though the other person managed to stay upright. I also regained my footing, but it was too late for my phone, and I saw that it had cracked, starting from one corner. I picked it up, then looked up at my assailant.

Ezra dropped his smug smile for a faux innocent face, a little gasp and a hand to his mouth making him look like a shocked, middle-aged mother. He gave me a shrug along with his wide-eyed look, saying softly, "Oops. Guess I didn't see you there."

I scowled. "Oh, fuck off, you freak."

"It's payback, pumpkin." He offered me a hand so that I could get up off of the floor, and after a moment of consideration, I took it.

He let me slip back onto the floor, right on my ass.

"Whoops," he said, smirking.

He stalked off.

"Watch out, Preston, you're getting your ass handed to you by a gothic nerd." Kieran came up behind me, helping me pick myself up for real. "He's kind of badass, actually. I'm starting to like the kid."

"Why don't you marry him, then?" I growled, brushing myself off and mentally cursing Ezra for making me break my phone screen.

Kieran shrugged. "Because I like women. Not that there are any, here. I wouldn't be surprised if half the school's population has gone queer out of desperation."

"Yeah, whatever." I straightened out my blazer. "He can fuck off. I don't want to talk to him ever again, that asshole."

"Josh, you live with him."

"Shut up, Kieran."