Cruel Me

Chapter 2: Teenage Dirtbag (sophomore year)

"Excuse me, there's a line."

The girl who spoke was behind me so I got to deal with her instead of Alfie. I saw his shoulders shaking in quiet laughter. I pushed him hard, causing him to stumble to his front. The guy in front of him glared, but then he saw who it was and let it go.

"Did you hear me? There's a line," the girl repeated.

"So?" I said, still not looking back.

"It's only right that you wait like everybody else."

Like hell I would.

"I'm waiting, too."

"You cut in front of me."

"Do I look like I care?"

"At least, look at my face when you're talking to me."

I hang my head and sighed. Turning around, I almost took a step back. Almost. Staring at me with big green eyes was the prettiest girl I've ever seen.

Whoa.

She had freckles on her face. My eyes went to her red hair that was pulled up in a ponytail, then to her body. She wore simple fitted long-sleeves and skinny jeans. For someone our age, who was about done with puberty, I'd say it did her good.

"So?" she asked, with a raised eyebrow.

My eyes flew to her lips. They were a bit on the thin side, but they were full enough. They seemed soft. Fighting the urge to test my theory, I returned my eyes to hers.

"So what?" I countered back.

"Aren't you going to apologize for cutting line?"

This is getting interesting.

I looked at the people behind her. All of them avoided my eyes, their faces saying they weren't backing up the redhead's words. Bunch of cowards. At least, she had guts.

"No," I told her nonchalantly.

"Jerk."

"You're holding up the line behind you, babe," I said, gesturing to the crowd forming. I flashed her a sympathetic smile. "Who's the jerk here?"

I left her and went to get my food. All that fuss for just a stupid line. Gotta say, though. It was refreshing for someone to speak up like that.

I heard her apologize to the person behind her, making me glance in their direction. Her cheeks were flushed from embarrassment as she moved on the line.

A small smirk formed on my lips.

"You always get your way," she muttered, shaking her head.

Ah, she was still talking to me.

"What's wrong with that?" I asked.

"Without any consideration for others? That's wrong."

I shrugged. "Not my fault if they don't stand up for themselves."

People wouldn't get pushed over if they didn't let people do that to them. Simple as that.

She scoffed in disbelief. "So that gives you the right to bully them?"

"No." I snorted. "But it sure fucking lets me do whatever the hell I want."

She made a disgusted face. "You're unbelievable."

I grinned. "I get that a lot."

I couldn't get to be my usual asshole self with her. What she was getting from me was way too mild compared to what others get.

She glared at me. "Are you gonna pay for that?" Her head tilted, adding, "You're holding up the line."

I looked around. She was right.

Huh. She slapped me with my own words. Impressive.

Alfie was waiting for me with an amused face, while the lunch lady was waiting for me with an annoyed one. I paid for my food. But before I could say more to the redhead, my best friend dragged me away.

"What the hell, dude?" I demanded.

"You're playing with fire, Oz."

"Because of her hair?" I asked, confused.

"Ha. Good one."

With the last word, he lightly pushed me and sat at our usual table. I scowled and sat across from him. As soon as I was settled, my eyes scanned the cafeteria.

Alfie raised both of his hands to cover my view.

Kurt and Connie watched him.

"What the fuck's your problem?" I snapped.

Alfie put down his hands. "You don't recognize her? Really?" He sighed. "Well, I guess she changed a lot through the summer."

I stared at him, going out of my mind baffled.

"See for yourself, then," he said, pointing at the redhead with his fork.

I followed the direction to where he was pointing. I saw the girl and watched her walked across the room with ease. She suddenly smiled when her eyes landed on someone. Before I could look to see who it was, Scout Crimson came and ruffled her hair. I saw the resemblance right away.

Just like that, it clicked.

"Fuck," I whispered, biting my lip.

"What's going on?" I heard Connie ask.

My eyes didn't leave the girl who was now sitting at the basketball team's table. She looked like she belonged there, laughing with them.

As if I willed her, she caught me staring. Her laughter subsided but her eyes were still locked with mine, unwilling to look away.

"Oz just fell for the enemy's twin sister," Alfie sneered.

Connie gasped. "No way."

"Who?" Kurt asked.

I could feel Alfie's eyes on me.

"Snow Crimson."

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If Snow's the redhead, who's Halo?!