8 Annoyed Time One Hundred

Destiny

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First period sucked. I seemed to be getting a handful of curious glares thrown my way. More than usual at least, and I have Sean to thank for that.

I absolutely hate it but like I said before, I like to keep my circle small. Very small. Not that it's anyone's business, but I guess the reason I get a whole lot of curious stares is because the only thing people really know about me is that I cheer and that my best friends are well, those people.

Although, I do like to have small talk with others every now and then because, believe it or not, I do enjoy socializing.

That is if I know they aren't fake.

It's really hard to tell these days but I'm pretty good at seeing people for who they don't present themselves as. What's really behind their little acts.

Anyways, because I showed up late to class I ended up missing the seating arrangements, so lucky me gets to sit beside attention magnet douche all year.

To top it all off, teach over here already assigned us a "great start to the year" English project, and guess who also missed the chance to freely choose partners?

Me.

"Earth to Destiny," Saffron waved, snapping me back to reality. I'm glad she did. "Did you hear anything I just said?" she questioned annoyedly.

I shake my head in apology.

"I pinned the tryouts list for cheer out by the main office," she said with excitement. "It's getting filled out pretty fast."

"That's great news Saf," I tell her honestly.

"What's on your mind, Des?" Royal consoled, noticing my zoning out.

"Well, first period wasn't exactly how I imagined it to be," I sighed, knowing all too well that things were locked into place and I've already lost the key.

I don't beg. If things end up a certain way then fine, so be it. I won't do anything even if it means me hating it. Things happen and I'm just here to roll with it, not go against fate.

"You're with us now," Saffron smiled.

Thank God for that. First period went by somewhat slowly but hey, I finally made it to second period. I survived, and that's always a good thing. Hearing their voices is all the cure I need to a horrible morning.

"So, what was so special about first period that you just can't seem to stop thinking about it?" Saffron crooned.

"It wasn't special. It was horrible. Absolute torture."

I imagined every possible way my day could go downhill, but none out of my imaginary list contained this bullet point.

Okay, maybe I'm being a tiny bit dramatic. It was only a couple of stares. It could've been worse.

"Were you somehow the centre of attention again?" Royal laughed, earning an eye roll from both Saffron and I.

Although, he wasn't wrong.

"Saf remember when we parted ways? When I went off to find my locker and you did too?"

"Oh yeah, when I left you for like 5 minutes and you were already losing it because of some guy."

Funny, I wasn't losing it. I was just simply annoyed times one hundred. Maybe things would've been different if he just helped me gather my things, apologized, then we could've gone our separate ways, peacefully.

I gave Saffron a look, and only then did she seem to catch what I was throwing at her.

"He has something to do with your zoning out doesn't he?" She postulated.

Wow, this is her slowest moment yet. Maybe she just needs an in my head, secret countdown.

5 4 3 2 —

"Oh. My. Gosh."

And, here we go.

"He was one of the new guys in Seth's group, wasn't he? He was!"

Ding, ding, ding, she shoots and she scores.

I laugh at her now excited state.

"Destiny, he's hot," she winked.

Ugh.

She's such a tease.

"Woah woah woah, I'm still here you guys. Don't get all girl talk on me. Not when it's so early in the morning, at least." Royal leaned back, getting all comfortable in his chair. "So, what about Sean and Kordell?"

"Nothing. There's nothing about any of them."

There isn't.

Okay maybe there is but I can't seem to put my finger on it.

Royal turned to face Saffron. "There's something in that nothing, isn't there?"

Well, that was a mouthful.

"I sure hope so," Saffron squealed.

"I was late to class because of him. And because we were late, we ended up missing the seating arrangements. I don't even get to choose where I want to sit. To top it all off, we were assigned partners for our first project," I sighed a deep sigh.

Hearing myself say that was just another reminder of how my unplanned morning played through.

"That's tough shit, you're never late to a single class," was all Royal had to say.

"Besides the project, I honestly don't see anything wrong about your morning."

Of course, she would say that she's Saffron.

Well, I'm sorry if I don't want to be sat next to a hard-headed, rude af, sarcastic dude.

Wait, hold up.

How can I be so self-centred?

I can't let his stupid actions and words get to me. There's obviously more to why he holds his walls up so high. His actions and words might agree with certain things but his eyes definitely scream the opposite.

They must've noticed me drift off into my own world again because before I knew it, both of their hands were in front of my face.

"We got you pens," exclaimed Royal, clearly still in lack of understanding with me.

He never really understood why I was so obsessed with pens, but everyone has their weird predilections.

"Our geography teacher handed them out today and we thought you might want them. They were optional to take anyways and we weren't gonna miss an opportunity to get new pens for you," Saffron added.

Lucky.

I got a room full of lust and affection, and they got free pens. So unfair. In my opinion at least.

"Yeah, because we clearly haven't given you enough already," Royal sarcastically remarked.

I reach out happily, taking the two pens they practically shoved in my face and thought about adding it to my mason jar at home. Finally, something good about today.

Once I was done admiring my two new pens, I tucked them away safely. I got out the pen I received from Mrs. Knight and took out my one-hundredth journal, then opened it up to a fresh page and started to write.

I wrote about my first class, my forced partnership, my two new pens, Sean Davis, and just everything that happened today. Especially what I felt throughout it all. Fact? Everything in my journal stays in my journal.

"Why don't you use your new pens?" They criticized in unison.

Why are you guys still watching me?

I wasn't about to say that out loud.

Without taking my eyes off of my journal, I answered their question. "This was my go-to pen ever since I was 9 years old. You guys know that."

"Your go-to pen for your journal. Nothing else." Saffron continued.

See.

She knew.

"I'll just take that back then."

With one swift movement, Royal reached over top my desk and got a quick hold of my backpack, taking back what he gave me. "This doesn't deserve you."

Saffron giggled, clearly enjoying his taunts.

I looked at him wide-eyed and snatched it back from his hand. "These pens are for everything else. And everything else is a whole lot." I stuck out my tongue then secured it back into my backpack. "It's not nice to give and take."

"How long does that ink last anyways?" Royal pondered. "At your rate, I wouldn't be surprised if your dumba— butt changes it every week or so." He chuckled, probably because he used the word "butt" instead of "ass."

I did tell him to dial it down a bit. He swears for every god damn little thing, and it's concerning.

Finally, refocusing my attention back to his question I wonder. Huh. I never really thought about that. Come to think of it, in the last nine years I don't think I've ever had to replace its cartridge. Nor do I think it even has one.

"Forever, I guess?"

Both focused their attention on me, giving me weird looks.

Exactly how I feel too, guys.

"Ya, Des? That's not possible," Royal addressed. "Unless it's magic," he joked.

Seriously, magic? Just because of the non-existent cartridge? This pen is a lot of things but it is not magic, whatever that means. Such a thing just doesn't exist.

I'll have to have a word with Mrs. Knight later on this week. After all, it was her pen before it was mine. Better safe than sorry, am I right? Either way, I don't want to end up throwing out my all-time favourite pen.

"Ladies and gent. Your attention up here please," I mentally smack myself on the head.

Just amazing.

That's twice in one day now.

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Thanks for reading!