2 Desire - Part 2 (1/2)

”Okay, turn to page 55 in your textbooks and we'll continue from there.”

First period proceeds as normal.

Usually at this time, I'd be enjoying a mid-class power nap after my all-nighter, but I can't get my mind off of the fact that I accepted Scarlet's invitation.

I simply could not resist those eyes. Regardless of how much she had belittled me, her beauty still managed to win against my better judgement. My hormones took complete control simply for a chance at maybe getting on her good side later.

As it turns out, I am very bad at being impartial where cute girls are concerned.

I think the most nerve-wracking part of all of this is that I'm going to have to sit there and fake a smile in front of that man-hater Jennifer. Just how much is she going to belittle me before I'm free to leave? Not even popular guys get off scot-free with her. What's gonna happen to someone like me who hangs out with Nick's group?

Seriously, I should think these things through before I agree to anything that risky.

”Heyyy, Chase.”

I hear a whisper come up from my side.

”Hmm? What's up Sig?”

I turn towards him, and find that his hand is outstretched towards me.

In it is a folded piece of paper that most likely has some sort of message written for me.

I curiously stare for a moment before swiping it from his hand and unfolding it.

The paper reads as follows:

”I thought I should give you fair warning. Nick and I saw you in the hallway with Jennifer's friend.”

”…”

Suddenly, everything clicks in my mind.

Geh! That's why he was on my case before class started… What a pain. He actually went kind of easy on me then, didn't he?

I reluctantly peek at the paper once more and continue reading.

”Don't worry. I managed to convince him that it probably wasn't that kind of conversation. I would be careful if I were you, though. He gets really upset when it comes to stuff like this.”

I turn back toward Sig, who's peeking glances at my face while pretending to write studiously in his notebook.

I make sure to softly whisper to him as I reply.

”Don't worry, it isn't what you think it is”

At my words he could only sigh with a smile of relief.

”Ah, that's good news. I know Nick is acting kinda weird, but please try to go along with it for now at least. I think he only says those things about girls because they don't like him much.”

”No no, as far as that group of girls goes I don't think it's something as petty as that.”

I mean, Jennifer is almost as bitter about the opposite gender as he is. And Scarlet…

She's so basic!!

”I hope you're not referring to Momo-chan…”

”To tell you the truth, I have absolutely no idea why she's in the popular crowd.”

”I guess so. It makes sense that a normie like you wouldn't notice her charm… Ufufufu…”

There's that 'normie' word again.

”By the way, um, on that topic…”

”Hm? What's up man?”

He fidgets for a little before the words can come out of his mouth.

”You may say it about Momo and her crowd but, I'm not entirely sure why you're friends with us either Chase. I mean, you're not that much into games or anime and you've got that annoying popular guy face. Seeing you with Scarlet earlier just felt, normal somehow. Like, like that's the crowd you belong to in the first place.”

”It's… not that simple.”

I pause deliberately for a moment before continuing.

”Like, not to be corny or anything, but there are things more important than being popular, you know.”

Yeah, there's no way in hell I'm falling into the popularity trap like that. I've seen what it does to people. How warped your thinking can become when you chase after fame like that. That's not the kind of life that someone like me should involve himself with.