hockey, puppies, and him.

Chapter 1: Boring and Tiring

Yeah, I know. Another high school teenager complaining about their "difficult" life. I get it. I hate it too. But this is real. I hate my life. I hate northern California, and I just wish I could move back to Canada. I hate my apartment, and the dirty, scary part of town it's in. I hate my school, and all the drama that circulates. And I especially hate my job at the hospital.

The only reason I'm staying here, actually, is because of my job. My boss promised that after two years, if I fully committed to work here, I would get a gigantic raise, as well as seniority. 

So, yeah, that's my status at the moment. I also have a panic disorder and depression, but what teenager doesn't deal with that right? No biggie I guess.

But right now, I need to get to school. This ugly school.

Ugh.

~TIME CATCH UP~

I walked down the halls to my first period. I had thirty seconds to get to class, and as a freshman, I'd be hauling ass to room 801. But, as a depressed senior, I honestly don't care. I walked into class just in time. I sat in my seat in the front of the room, setting my backpack in the empty seat next to me, and trying to avoid all the delinquents in the back of the room. I may not care about a lot, but I definitely care about my reputation, and I'd rather not be seen near the kids who eat food and throw papers in the back of the class.

I took out my notebook and pencil and started writing down the notes on the board. When I went to grab my water bottle from my backpack, I saw a boy standing at the desk.

"Hey, is someone sitting here?" I looked into his emerald eyes, his black hair surrounding them. He was pale and skinny, and even had gentle freckles dotting his cheeks.

"Yeah. Sorry." I drank from my bottle as he walked to the back of the room, defeated. He sat in a seat, next to the kid who always ate hot chips and interrupted the teacher.

"Hey, what the hell are you doing?" The juvenile stood up, the green eyed boy cowarding. I sighed loudly and turned in my seat to face the back. "Hey, whatever your name is. The kid left." I dropped my backpack on the other side of me and turned back in my seat. The boy nearly ran to the newly opened seat and looked at me.

"Thank you... I'm Jack-"

"Ivan. Shh. I'm writing." Jack looked down and started on his notes. 

When class ended, I started walking downstairs to my second period. Jack followed me, trying to avoid me seeing. I groaned and turned to him.

"Do you need something? Like, directions away from me?" Jack's shoulders sagged, and he looked down.

"I'm sorry... I just don't have any friends... I'm so shy around everyone, but you... you feel different..."

"Well what the hell am I an alien?" I adjusted my backpack. Jack looked like he would cry. I sighed and closed my eyes. "Jack, I'm sorry. Just kinda frustrated." 

"No, I get it..."

"Really? Great! Bye!" I hurried to my class before he could say anything else.

By the time it was lunch, I was already at my limit. Everything was pissing me off. I was in the lunch line, going through Instagram. I rolled my eyes when I read a sob story from a freshman I knew. Suddenly, a jock football player pushed past me and cut me. Just when I was about to tear this guy open, Jack tapped my shoulder.

"Hey Ivan..." I looked at him. "Dude, I'm in the middle of something!" He looked at me confused. I pointed to the jackass who cut me, and he understood.

I stepped in front of the football player and stretched. "Damn, am I tired." The football player looked at his friend in the line next to us and laughed.

"Who is this stick in front of me?" I looked at him and smiled.

"Ivan. It's Ivan." I looked at his jersey. "Oh! Varsity huh? Is that why you tried to cut?" I laughed a bit. "As soon as you guys start winning games feel free to cut. Til then, I'm hungry and play sports too." I put my student number in and told the worker I wanted a chicken sandwich. The jock went to the other line and cut his friend, while cussing me out.

I happily took my sandwich and went to my table. I sat with two girls, who I seldom talked to in my fourth period physics class, and one boy from our English class. I went to eat my sandwich, and sure enough, Jack was in the seat next to me.

"Look, I know you don't like me, but I just wanted to tell you that your jacket is really nice, and I wanna thank you for letting me sit with you in math today..." I looked at him, upset.

"Jack, I don't hate you..." I sighed and put down my sandwich. "I just get so frustrated. It's absolutely nothing against you, trust me." He smiled softly.

"Cool... Could I maybe... sit here?..."

"Don't push it Jack."

"I won't talk to you."

I glared at him for a few seconds. "... Fine." I went back to eating my sandwich as I scrolled through Instagram again.