Time-Bomb-

While I was on the bus to school I went over my texts again. I had about twelve from Tay. Mostly her going on about nothing important. It was an attempt to make desperate conversation. The text that bugged me, though, was Vic's. I had mixed feelings about it. First off, I was confused. How did he get my number? Secondly, why did he even care to say goodnight to me? And what does he mean by "care?"
I brushed it all off and deleted the texts from my phone. Once I got to school I walked straight into my calculus classroom and sat down. Tay walked in a short while after. I stood up to give her a hug and we sat back down.
Everyone else came in the class right before the bell finished ringing.
I turned to Mike and smiled a bit.
He grinned, "heard you're getting comfy with my brother."
I rolled my eyes.
"If you say anything to anyone, I swear to god-"
"Is that a threat?" Mike inquired.
I sighed into my hands.
"No."
"Good," Mike nodded. "Your secret is safe with me," he said. "But if it were my decision every student in the school would know much more than you want them to," Mike added.
I shrugged him off. I didn't care to think about what was holding him back. As long as I knew I was safe, I didn't care.
The teacher asked for a volunteer to pass out a worksheet and Vic immediately raised his hand. I glanced at him for a second before he could notice I was looking. The whole time he was passing out papers I could see from the corner of my eye that he was eyeing me. When he got to handing me my paper he moved as slow as possible.
"How are you, Kells?"
"Stop calling me that."
"Why? Has a nice ring to it. It suits you. I know you like it," he grinned.
It's true. I did like it. Sounded a lot better than Kell. I don't know where Tay pulled that from. I ignored Vic and snatched the worksheet from him.
"Pushy," he said and walked down the aisle.

Half way through the day Tay and I met up for lunch. We walked to our normal spot holding hands and before we sat down I placed a small kiss on her cheek. Zack and Andy looked at each other with wide eyes and then back to us.
"Well would you look at the happy couple," Jenna cooed.
"Stop teasing, Jen," Tay laughed.
"Wait really?" Zack asked.
"Yeah," I nodded, trying to keep myself from sounding like a jerk. He annoyed me as well.

Lunch was pretty quiet. I suspected there was a lot of tension between Zack and I because he had a thing for Tay. It was pretty obvious. He was shy, though. He didn't talk much so that's obviously why he never had the guts to ask Tay out. I have to admit it was pretty difficult even though I don't have feelings for her. I could only imagine how it would feel for him. Andy, on the other hand, seemed very outgoing I had no clue why he would be nervous to ask Tay out. Once again, I brushed it off. If it didn't involve me, I didn't care.

After lunch I walked down the hallways to my last class of the day. Things were different, though. The weird kind of different.
"Hey! Kellin, what's up dude?" Some random jock came up to me and asked.
"Nothing much," I said and flickered a sideways smile at him before I kept walking.
I was stopped in my tracks yet again.
"Hey," a cheerleader said in a flirtatious tone. I tried to avoid shuddering. Definitely not my type.
"Hi," I smiled, and tried to walk past her.
"What's wrong, going somewhere?" She said, really flaunting herself at me.
"Yup, see you around," I said while walking around her.
I tried to walk to class faster but this time I ended up bumping into a teacher.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," I said. I learned to respect authority in boarding school. To be honest, adults scared me shitless.
"Apology accepted, Kellin. Also, heard about you and Taylor. Simply perfect couple!"
"...thanks."
"No problem," the teacher said, and walked away.
I tried to think of a reason as to why he would know who I was but I couldn't get one. I'd never met that man before and suddenly he's congratulating me on my relationship?
Oh.
This was all because of my relationship. I never knew dating Tay would get me that much recognition.
I almost made it to my classroom but I saw Matty walking through the hallways and wanted to check up on him. He was a good guy. I liked him.
"Hey! Matty!" I called.
He gave me a look like he was questioning whether I was calling him or not. I nodded and mouthed "duh."
"Uh, yes, Kellin?" He asked nervously.
"How are you, man? I haven't talked to you in a while."
"I-I'm good, I guess."
"Why do you seem so timid?" I asked. He almost looked like he feared me.
"Look I don't want to upset you..." Matty tried to avoid my question.
I crossed my arms and glared at him until he spoke.
"Okay, okay. Well. Here's the thing. The high school food chain," he said.
"What about it?"
"I'm at the bottom, Kellin. You're at, well, the very top."
"Matty I'm a freshman this is the second week of school how could I possibly be popular?"
"Maybe you haven't heard the gossip," he said while looking down.
"What gossip?"
"Everyone either wants to be you, or be with you, Kellin. Ever since you got noticed by Tay, you got noticed by the whole school. I don't think you understand just how much power Tay has over this school. And somehow, you got her to hand it all over to you."
Hm. He had a point.
"Okay, well, take care of yourself. And the whole bottom of the food chain thing. I can fix that," I offered.
"Nah, I like keeping a low profile," he said. "Thanks anyways."
I walked away and got into my classroom just on time. The only problem was that the last available seat was next to Vic. I scanned the room before I sat down and saw all of the faces staring right back at me. I pursed my lips and ignored the stares.
As soon as I took a seat next to Vic he looked at me and bit his lip.
"Wow, look at you Mr. hot-shot."
"Shut up, Vic," I said only loud enough for him to hear.
"Your wish is my command."
God, he annoyed me.

I tried to finish up a painting project we were assigned to do but I was interrupted by a tap on my shoulder.
"Yes?" I asked while turning around.
"I'm sorry I don't mean to bother you.. Do you have a minute to answer a few questions, for the school newspaper," a very soft-spoken girl asked.
"Sure," I grinned.
She blushed and pulled out a notepad.
All she asked were stupid academic questions until she reached the last one. "So, you met your current girlfriend in calculus?"
"Uh, yeah. We just ended up sitting next to each other and kind of clicked."
Vic scoffed from besides me and I shot him a glare.
"Okay, thank you for your time, uh, Kellin."
"No problem, hun," I slipped that in because I knew it would affect her. I loved seeing people get weak in the knees by the thought of me.
"Why are you even with Taylor?" Vic blurted.
"Because I like her?" I said. Of course that was a lie because I liked Vic, sadly. But I couldn't let him know that.
"But you can do so much better with me," he pouted.
I rolled my eyes.
"Vic, I don't like you. Please, enough. I will never date you."
"Fine," he crossed his arms like a child and turned away.
"Just letting you know, I will get my way. I know you, Kellin. I know you like me it's so obvious that you do."
"I don't," I said through gritted teeth.
"Then why on earth would you make out with me if you didn't," he said much quieter so no one could hear.
"Shut up."

It was after school now and I already said goodbye to Tay. Along with the dozens of other people who I didn't know, but they said bye to me anyway.
I walked out of school the back way to get home faster.
When I stepped out Vic was sitting on the stair railing like he was waiting for me. Really? That creepy little..
"Hey! Kellin! Nice to see you here," he grinned cheekily.
"Need a ride?" He asked and pulled the keys from his pocket.
"No."
"How about we kiss again, then?" He asked.
I wanted to just throw myself at him but I knew that wouldn't be a good idea.
I ignore him and walked down the stairs.
He followed behind me and stopped me by the shoulder.
"What?" I asked.
"I'm gonna kiss you," he said.
Then he did. It was one ended, though. I pushed him away after a few seconds.
"Vic stop," I groaned. I didn't exactly want him to stop. But I knew better.
"You want to kiss me, I can see it in your eyes," he said.
"Maybe I do, Vic. But that doesn't mean I will."
I mentally slapped myself for admitting that I wanted to kiss him.
He tried to kiss me one more time but this time I didn't let him. As soon as he got close enough I punched him right in the jaw.
He swore in pain and held his hand over his face.
"Ow," he complained.
"Whatever," I said and walked faster to get away from him.
While I was walking I saw a random guy watching from behind a car. As soon as he saw me look at him he made a run for it.
Aw, damnitt.
I ran as fast as I could for a long time. This guy was too damn fast. He was tall. Very tall. I'd seen him around school before and I knew some word of this would get out. He looked like the gossiping type. I groaned in frustration and when Vic caught up to me I went off on him.
"Do you see what you fucking do?"
I yelled. "Your ruining my whole damn life. I want to be happy. Don't you get that? I hate you!" I screamed.
He actually looked very hurt. More hurt than I'd ever seen him before. And I didn't care. Heck, if I knew I could stop myself before I killed him, I'd beat him till he cried. I was so sick of him. I've dreamed of killing him. If it weren't illegal I wouldn't think twice.
"Don't you ever talk to me again, or I will make your life a living hell."
"Do it," he croaked.
I tried to scan his face for any signs of fear, but all I saw was sadness.
"I just wish you knew the truth," he whispered before he slipped away from my grasp and slowly walked to his car. He drove away with even looking back. I think he finally understood that I didn't want him near me.

Notes