1 Desire - Part 1 (2/2)

Wait, hold up a minute.

Am I dreaming?

A girl… Is talking to me?

Not just any girl, a popular girl? And one who knows about the crowd I associate with, no less? What could she possibly want with me of all people?

She observes me curiously for a moment then looks away, somewhat downcast.

I scratch the back of my head awkwardly, waiting for her to respond to my question.

But she never does.

She looks too uncomfortable­––too nervous to even speak up properly.

”Uh… Scarlet? Are you okay?”

”… No, um. I'm not sure if I should bother you so suddenly. I mean, this is the first time we've spoken to one another, so…”

I see, she's trying to figure out if it's okay to ask me something. She must have her shy moments too, huh?

”It's okay, I don't mind listening if you have something to say.”

”R-really?”

I nod.

If she feels cornered enough to confide in someone like me, then she must feel terribly alone right? I mean, me of all people?

”Really, I won't judge. I promise.”

”W-well, um, I kind of wanted to ask you something.”

I smile, somewhat relieved.

”Oh, that's all? Sure, go ahead.”

She fidgets nervously, affirming her resolve before her lips part once more.

”You… don't have a girlfriend, right?”

I freeze up.

What..

What's up with that question?! Could it be she's… hitting on me? Is it because of that thing I heard earlier? Then, like I thought…

No no no, there's no way. There's no way that she's hitting on me. I mean… A girl this cute?! Did I accidentally wake up this morning as Michael B. Jordan or something?

Okay, shit. Calm down Chase. For now, you should just play it cool. Maybe if I do this right then…

”Uh, no. I don't.”

I offer it up in the most calm, rational voice that I could muster.

And at my response, she perks her chin up and smiles.

But it's not the regular, joyful smile you'd expect from that angelic kind of girl.

It's a smile so mocking that I almost instantly felt my entire body go cold from embarrassment.

”Heh, I knew it.”

”… Huh?”

And suddenly, her entire body shifts.

The nervous girl who stood before me moments ago is long gone.

In her place, is the confident girl who normally stands at Jennifer's side. And, she's looking down on me.

She's looking down on me…

She's…

”W-what the hell…?”

Ignoring my surprise, she opens her mouth to speak. And the moment she does, I begin to regret everything.

”So like, you saw what happened, right? Back in the classroom? That's kind of why I followed you here. Oh, don't worry. You don't have to pretend you didn't notice, I totally saw you eavesdropping on us. It was pretty creepy, but I don't have anything against it. I mean, we are the most popular freshman girls after all. I'm sure a lot of guys were eavesdropping on us so you probably aren't the only creep, you're just the worst at hiding it lol. Anyway, Jen was totally drilling me about having a boyfriend, so I kinda need to show her that I'm capable of getting one to stay on her good side. Oh, but not for long though. I'll tell her we broke up the next time she asks about you. I mean, who would want to be seen in public with someone who hangs out with the loser crew? It explains why you don't have a girlfriend to be honest. I can practically smell the virginity from all the way over here. Anyways, we need to set ground rules first if I'm going to have you meet Jen with me. I want to start by stressing that there will be absolutely no physical contact; that means no hugging, no holding hands, no touching shoulders, and DEFINITELY no kissing. You're also not allowed to call me any cute pet names. I think I'd throw up on the spot if you did. Seriously, do not. No fake stories about us either. I really don't trust you to not say something creepy so leave that part to me. And lastly, only speak when spoken to when it doesn't have to do with me. I don't want us getting our stories wrong. Got that? Any questions? Huh, loser?”

”…”

”…”

She's… She's…

SO BASIC!

What the hell is wrong with this girl?

She's seriously going through all of this trouble just for some worthless approval from her friends?

”Are you… serious?”

”Huh?! What's that supposed to mean? You'll do it, won't you?”

She's serious…

She's totally serious…

God, why did it have to be me?

Why did she have to choose me for all of this?

I thought this was going to be a new beginning for me.

This was supposed to be a chance for change… A chance to finally experience companionship with a girl…

Ah, goddammit!

”If you're so popular then why don't you just, y'know, get a real boyfriend?”

”T-that is, well…”

She twiddles her fingers for a while, clearly anxious about giving a response.

”… I get nervous around boys.”

She says it in a voice so small that I could barely catch it.

Nervous?

”You do realize that I'm a boy, right?”

”Haaa, you don't have a single clue, do you?”

She smirks condescendingly once more, then puts both hands on her hips.

”Like I said, you're a loser. Why would I bother feeling nervous about talking to someone like you? If anything you should be on your knees thanking me for talking to you. Get it now? Geez… take a hint, will you?”

”…”

I hate this bitch.

After a moment of basking in her own ego, she suddenly catches herself and looks away. The way she twirls her hair with her finger makes her seem a bit more innocent than that outburst from seconds ago would have led me to believe.

”Still though… It would really mean a lot to me if you went along with it.”

It was a subtle gesture on her part, but a cute one nonetheless. I'm pretty sure most guys would fall for something like this and go head first into this whole ploy of hers.

”So… Will you?”

But… after saying all of those rude things to me, do you really expect me to just bow down and be subservient because you're a little popular?

Do you really think I'm that depraved?

Ha.

Well, you're wrong.

I'm not like the other sheepish males in our year.

I can read girls like you and Jennifer like a damn book. Acting all cutesy just to get whatever you want. God, just how little do you think of us boys?

I won't feed into that ego of yours. Especially after you insulted me to my face like that.

Is, what I'd like to say, but…

”… Sure.”

At my meek response, she offers me the most genuine smile a rotten girl like her could ever hope to muster.

”Yay! I'll come find you so I can lead you to our usual table at lunch. You know the one, right? Of course you do, we're not invisible geeks like you guys after all. I sure hope you feel honored that I'm inviting you to eat with us.”

”…”

”Anyway! If that's all, I'll see you then!”

After leaving me with those hurtful words, she smiles and trots off back to the classroom.

Well… I'm pretty angry about this.

It's one thing to be made fun of by someone, but the fact that she thinks being in the presence of her fucking Barbie doll troupe is such a privilege pisses me off.

”AAA!! I'M ANGRY!!”

Several heads turn towards me as I scream at the top of my lungs in the hallway.

I sigh after most of the raw emotion is vented out.

The truth is though, I'm mostly angry at myself for caving to her request.

My lack of experience with girls has proven to be my downfall.

Those eyes… Good god, those eyes. Why did they look so bright?

Even after saying all of those things to me, I couldn't help but agree to be her pretend-boyfriend. I think I may have just discovered within myself a fetish for dominant women.

How depressing…

And to think, just moments ago I'd considered myself better than the other freshman boys when it came to seeing through girls like Scarlet…

”Whatever, I'll just get it over with.”

Maybe I'll get a few bonus points among other girls as a popular girl's ex after things are over.

High school sure is a pain, huh? Everything's decided by who you associate with.

Deciding to accept my fate, I head back to our classroom the moment the bell sounds for first period.

But as soon as I enter through the door, the first thing I'm greeted by is Nick's obnoxious screaming.

”Are you kidding?! Hifumi?! Did you get your taste from a literal trash can? How on earth does she compare to Futaba at all?”

”Holy shit man, Futaba?! HAHAHAHAHA! Dude seriously, get that imouto trash out of here.”

As usual, those two make absolutely no sense to me. Other classmates are staring at them with looks of disgust and worry as their conversation fills the entire room.

I sigh as I take my seat next to the two of them.

”What the hell are you two on about now?”

”Ah Chase, good timing. Help us decide who the best Persona 5 girl is.”

”No, uh, I haven't played that game yet…”

And to be honest, I don't really care that much about 2D girls either.

”Heh, Chase is just being considerate of his good friend Sig. He doesn't want to hurt any feelings by calling his favorite girl chuuni garbage!”

”No no no! I daresay he's being considerate of your shitty megane fetish!”

…

Yeah I have absolutely no idea what either of them are saying.

It's always like this with these two. When it comes to anime and games, their arguments always become hot-blooded and intense.

Putting that aside, there's something else that's got my attention.

There was currently a plain white box sitting atop Sig's desk just underneath the two of them.

”Hey, what's that thing all about?”

Nick suddenly stops for a moment to look down at what I'm eyeballing.

”Ah, these are donuts. Want one?”

”Uh… Donuts? At this hour?”

I wouldn't exactly call it the healthiest breakfast. Having them this early seems a bit out of place, doesn't it?

”Yeah, on Mondays my dad stops at a coffee shop for breakfast before we get to school. While I was there I figured hey, why not bring some for the boys, y'know?”

”Oh really? That's awesome dude. Thanks.”

I'm not one to turn down a friend's kindness, so it's only natural that I'd have one.

I dip my hand into the box and help myself to the doughy confectionery.

It's kinda weird, though.

For someone that everyone avoids and makes fun of, Nick is actually a pretty cool guy.

He's nice to his friends and true to his hobbies, and I don't feel the need to pretend to be someone I'm not to hang out with him. It's the most relaxing high school atmosphere I could ask for.

I wish Scarlet could also see that you don't need to pretend to be someone you aren't to make friends in high school…

In a way, she's a bigger loser than I am, isn't she?

I smile while enjoying the sweet juiciness of the donut while counting my blessings.

God, this is the life.

”By the way Chase, you wouldn't happen to have been speaking to any girls while you were outside, were you?”

”H-huh?! Ack!”

I begin coughing uncontrollably.

Damn, I was so surprised that I choked on it.

”Oh, you know, I was just making sure you weren't talking to any girls while you were going for your walk. Can't have you betraying the 'Fated Ones' over some girl, y'know?”

As he says this, he hands me his bottled water and I hurriedly begin gulping to wash the rest of the donut down my throat.

”Haaa, haaa… N-no, of course not! Don't be ridiculous Nick!”

”Ehh? Who cares if he talks to a girl dude? Chris has a girlfriend and you don't seem to mind that much.”

”Chris is different! He's a normie on the path to recovery! Have some respect for our fallen brother!”

He slams his fist on my desk then turns his focus back to me.

”Listen up Chase, if I catch you making moves on any girls…”

”Yes yes, I'm out of the group, right?”

I sigh as I finally regain my breath.

”Hmph. As long as you get it.”

As he says this, he pulls his hand off of my desk and turns to face the front of the class.

This sucks… If that happens, then I'll have no more friends in this stupid school.

”Haaa…”

You know what? I take it back. Scarlet's friends and mine aren't so different after all.

I just happen to be on the more unfortunate end of the spectrum.