-Ezra-

I do my best to stay away from Josh. If he wants nothing to do with me, fine, I'll leave him alone. I don't need his attention or anything-- I may not have any friends, really (never taken the time to form close connections), but I don't need Josh to make them. I can make friends with people on my own, no help needed.

When it comes to breakfast, I choose another table to sit with-- it's almost empty, a circle table in the corner of the dining hall. Of the two guys sitting there, one has his nose in a book and the other is on his phone. Since they're both sitting on one side of the table, I ask, "Can I sit with you?" from the other side.

Phone guy looks up and gives me a grin. "Yeah, of course! I'm Mark, and this is Tommy." He gestures at the guy with the book, who offers me a respectful nod. "He doesn't talk much, sorry."

"It's fine," I assure them. "I'm Ezra. I just moved out of an overfilled room, so... yeah. Getting used to new stuff this year."

"Ah, that's good. Who's your new roommate?"

"Josh." I gesture over my shoulder at the table with all the football players.

Mark winces. "Jeez, man, I'm sorry. He's the worst."

I frown. "Is he really that bad? He just seems standoffish, kinda. And like he doesn't like my makeup."

Mark shrugs. "You can think what you want, but he once tried to get me expelled over a pencil, and I've lost all respect for him. I think your makeup's awesome, by the way."

I smile. "Thank you. I like it."

"Well, you look sick. It's really cool." He takes a bite out of a waffle. "Wish I looked like that."

"Don't," Tommy says softly.

Mark gives him a sad look. "Aw."

Tommy just responds with a look I can't quite read, but Mark seems to understand.

I chat with them-- mostly Mark-- until breakfast is over and we all get going to class. On my way to first period, though, Josh runs very deliberately, and very roughly, right into me, knocking me over onto my butt.

He gives me a sort of disdainful look and in the most mocking, faux-innocent voice, tells me, "Oops. Didn't see you there."

"Right." I push myself back up to my feet and fix my tie. "Watch out next time."

"Of course. I'm so sorry."

I just walk past him and continue to class. I don't need to bother him any more and honestly, I don't care that much. My tailbone is sore and I'm plotting a petty sort of revenge, yeah, but what's most important right now is my English grade, and it'll suffer if I'm late.

I continue plotting throughout the day until I have the pettiest plan in mind. I manage to enact it on the way to lunch the next day, since our paths converge at a side hallway.

When I see him coming, I square up and, like he did to me yesterday morning, run into him with all the purpose in the world, knocking him flat on the ground.

I give him a mock-shocked look. "Oops! I totally didn't see you there. I'm so sorry. Can I give you a hand up?" I extend an arm to him.

He (stupidly) accepts the offered assistance. I help him pull himself most of the way up, but not enough to be steady on his feet, and then let his hand slip out of mine so he falls again.

"Oh my god, I've got such butterfingers today!" I say mockingly. "Maybe this time I should let you do it yourself."

As I continue into the dining hall to get my lunch, I hear Kieran laughing his ass off at Josh (who he was walking to lunch with). It makes me smile a little to myself as I get my lunch of mac and cheese and sit with Mark and Tommy, who I immediately recount the story to because it's amazing and I feel so proud of myself.

Mark seems very pleased.

Watch out, Josh Preston. You can be a dick all you like, but this is still a two-player game.