Friday arrived. Our first exams were next week, so I was naturally slacking off by hiding in the library. 

A little ironic.

My grades were already poor so it wasn’t like an exam was going to change that. Our school had implemented a “no child left behind” policy a few years back. If my grades were bad, I just had to complete simple makeup tests. Easy.

One of the new Smash Em Brawler handheld games had come out, so I was busy skipping class to play. I sat on the cold library floor, hiding in the section farthest from the librarians desk. The lights were dim from a half-broken overhead LED. The smell of musty untouched books and dust permeated the air. Most people called this area the “romance section” because students used it as a spot to makeout, away from the prying teacher’s eyes. 

With everyone currently attending class, I had the library and romance section to myself. It was quiet, other than the low-volume sounds of utter annihilation that played from my handheld. 

The newfound interest people had in me after the demon attack had died down quickly. No more staring or finger pointing. I guess my near death experience was only interesting enough to hold attention for a few weeks.

People were so fickle. 

K.O.

I mistimed a dodge-roll in my game and lost. 

“Ahg! Lucky fricken noob,” I growled, smacking the device against my leg in anger.

“What’s a noob?”

I recognized his voice instantly. This guy was insane. How was he always able to find me?

At this point, I wasn’t even surprised anymore.

Lucius’s bright blonde hair shone like a beacon in the dim lighting. He wore a frayed backpack and expensive designer clothing today. He seemed to change his appearance on the daily, as if experimenting. 

Idiots shouldn’t be allowed to be this handsome. It wasn’t fair.

“Someone a lot like you,” I muttered, pressing ‘play again’ on my handheld.

I could feel his curious gaze on me as he sat beside me, setting aside his backpack and looking over my shoulder, his arm brushing mine. I could feel his tall frame looming over me, dwarfing me in his shadow and making me feel small.

I instinctively flinched away and scooted over a few inches.

Too close. Did he not understand personal space?

He tilted his head and watched me with curiosity, leaning over my shoulder but staying a respectful distance away. He must have noticed my discomfort. 

“Do you enjoy fighting?” He asked, watching me double punch the enemy character in the head. 

“I guess. Sometimes I wish I could use violence without repercussions” I said, thinking of Priscilla. What I wouldn’t give to punch her in the face…

He went quiet and watched me play. The gameplay sounds echoed around us.

Arg. Hah! Whoosh.

My awkwardness meter started rising like a temperature gauge. I didn’t like being watched, but I was sure he wouldn’t leave even if I asked.

I died again in my game and sighed. There was only one possible solution.

“Do you want to try playing?”