I tighten my hoodie around myself, shoving my hands into my pockets as i walk through the front gates of my new school. I hate the way people stare. The whispers. The judgment. I just need to get through the day without attracting too much attention. The bell rings. I sigh and follow the crowd inside.
…
The classroom is loud. People talking, laughing, throwing paper. I keep my head down, moving toward an empty desk near the back. As soon as I sit down, someone plops onto the desk beside me.
"You're new," the boy stated. I glance up. Blond hair. Silver rings. A pink heart choker. Soft eyes and a pink hoodie. Not the kind of person I'm used to.
"Kai," the boy introduces himself. "I'd say welcome, but honestly? This school sucks."
"Thanks?" I say, annoyed.
"You don't talk much, huh? That's fine. I talk enough for both of us," Kai smiles.
Before I could respond, someone practically crashes into the seat in front of us.
"Holy shit, a new guy," the newcomer announces. "Yo, I'm Vex." I stare at him. Neon bracelets. Wild green hair. A ripped band tee. Loud energy. "You look fun," Vex continues. "We're adopting you."
"What?" I frown. Kai nods.
"Yeah, he's right. You belong to us now." I sigh, rubbing my temples.
"I didn't sign up for this," I say. Vex grins.
"Too bad."
"Fine. My name is Axel," I say.
…
Lunch was chaotic. Kai drags me to a table near the edge of the cafeteria. Vex is already there, balancing a juice box on his head for reasons unknown.
"So," Kai says, sliding into the seat next to me. "Tell us about you." I look away.
"There's nothing to tell," I mumble.
"Lies," Vex declares. "You've got emo trauma written all over you." Kai sighs dramatically.
"Come on, let us in a little," Kai insists. I frown and hesitate.
"I play guitar." Kai gasps.
"That's so cool! Do you sing?" Kai asks.
"Sometimes," I shrug. Vex smirks,
"Brooding and talented? Damn, we hit the jackpot."
Kai leans closer. "You should play for us sometime."
I raise an eyebrow. "Not happening."
Kai pouts. "Rude."
Vex cackles, throwing an arm around both of us "Relax, emo boy. We've got time."
…
By the end of the day, I learnt two new things:
1. Avoiding attention was impossible with Kai and Vex around.
2. I didn't mind as much as I thought I would.
…
As we leave school together, Vex stretches his arms above his head.
"Tomorrow, we're hanging out after class," Vex says.
"We are?" I ask. Kai nods.
"Obviously," he says with a smile.
"Fine," I sigh annoyed.
Vex smirks. "You like us already."
I roll my eyes, but I don't argue. Coz, I do. Sadly.
...
I sit at lunch the next day, pushing my food around my plate. Across from me, Kai and Vex are in some kind of heated debate.
"I'm telling you, neon is superior to pastel," Vex insists, tossing his half-eaten apple in the air. Kai scoffs, crossing his arms. "Neon looks like someone threw up a rave. Pastels are elegant." I smirk, watching them.
"This is a dumb argument," I say suddenly. Vex leans back, grinning.
"Oh, emo boy speaks," Vex says teasingly. Kai pokes my arm.
"Okay, break the tie—neon or pastel?"
"I don't care," I sigh. Kai gasps dramatically.
"You're no fun." Vex nudges Kai.
"I think he's fun in his own emo way."
I glance between them, something twisting in my chest. They both make me feel… different.
…
After school, the three of us sprawl on the rooftop, watching the sky shift colours. Kai rolls onto his stomach, resting his chin on his arms. "Hey, Axel, what's your type?" I tense.
"What?"
"You know," Kai continues, twirling a strand of hair. "Do you like guys? Girls? Mysterious loners?" I hesitate. my gaze flickers toward Vex, then Kai, then away.
"I don't think about it," I lie. Vex snorts.
"Bullshit," Vex says. I throw a pebble at him.
"Shut up." Kai smirks, sitting up.
"I think you've got a type," Kai says. I avoid his eyes.
"No, I don't," I mutter. Kai leans closer.
"Are you sure?" Kai whispers. I swallow. my heart is doing something annoying, something reckless.
"I'm sure," I mutter, looking away. Kai hums, unconvinced. Vex stretches, yawning.
"Doesn't matter anyway. He's stuck with us no matter what," Vex says.
I sigh. That is the problem.
..
That night, I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. My mind keeps replaying the way Kai teased me, the way Vex smirked, the way being around them make something feel… different.
I hate this. I hate feelings. I hate that I want to be closer to both.
It's stupid.
It's dangerous.
And worst of all?
It's real.