Time-Bomb-

It was Tuesday now. The day after I punched Vic's stupid face. I could've done worse. All I knew was that now my damn reputation would be ruined. All because Vic can't control himself. This was all his fault.

I left for school dressed in the best outfit I could mucker up. I had to look good today. Now that the whole school probably sees me as a violent asshole, I should at least still impress by looks. I groaned and got on the bus.
When I got to school nothing had changed. I looked around curiously and everyone was still acting the same. Girls still flirted. Guys still nodded, some looked envious. Maybe the word didn't get around? That was my initial thought until Matty came up to me.
"Dude, what's up with jaw socking Fuentes?"
"How do you know about that?"
"Everyone does," Matty said casually. "Word spreads quickly at this school."
"Hm."
"So, just gonna sit there and contemplate life or are you going to explain? I know the kid is a little reserved, but come on."
"Reserved?" I chuckled.
"Is he not?"
"More like the biggest flirt at school," I scoffed.
"Uh-huuh," Matty didn't believe me. "Well, now everyone thinks he's an idiot," Matty said.
"Why?"
"Duh. You're popular. Your hit him. They hate him. They follow the crowd, man."
Well he sure got what he deserved. The school hates him. That's just what he needs. I couldn't believe everyone just took my side without question, though. I mean the jerk deserved this, but no one's ever taken my side before.
"Thanks for the insight. You know, you should, uh, tell me every time something new comes up," I told Matty.
I saw the lanky dude that was watching me yesterday walk by.
"Hey, what's that kids name?" I asked Matty.
"That's Austin. He's cool. Don't punch him."
"Wasn't planning on it," I grinned.
"See you around."
I walked over to Austin. His eyes went wide and I could tell he wanted to run away, but this time I had him cornered.
"Looks like I've got you this time."
"Please, don't hit me, I-I-"
"Shut up I'm here to thank you," I said.
"Why?"
"Because you made Vic's school life horrible. Just wait till he gets here. Your little rumor left everyone hating him."
Austin looked like he was mentally beating himself up.
"You did me a favor, believe it or not, so I'm letting you off easy. Don't spread any more rumors or I'll put you in Vic's situation. Got it?"
He nodded and freaked out when He saw Vic walk through the front doors of the school.
Vic looked disgusting. The side of his face was bruised up from where I punched him and he was covered in what looked like remains of a sandwich. I snorted and walked away from Austin to take a seat and watch the drama.
A lot of people were turning to each other and whispering. Most were laughing. Maybe one or two gave him looks of sympathy. Another person walked up to Vic and "accidentally" spilled an iced coffee all over Vic's shirt. I couldn't help but laugh so loud that I was gasping for air.
Vic turned to me with pain written across his face. I felt guilty for a split second then I remembered just what he did. I flipped him off. He walked over to where Austin was sitting. They exchanged a few words and then Vic left him. From what I could tell, he friend broke-up with Austin. Perfect.
Mike walked through the front doors looking more pissed than usual. That was my cue to scurry off to class a little early so he wouldn't run in to me.
First period was tense. Taylor wasn't here today. I was assuming she casually ditched. She did seem like the type to do so.
"Okay, class. We're working in pairs today."
I cringed.
Times like these I wish I took freshman level classes.
"Complete the assignment on the board," my teacher announced and retreated to her desk.
I looked at Mike for a split second only to see him glaring at me like I was a peace of meat.
"Hey, Mike," I tried to sound nice but I think I sounded more afraid.
"I'm gonna beat you till you're numb," he said.
"Hey, listen. I didn't spread that rumor. You have Austin to blame for that. I just hit the guy. Self defense."
"That guy, is my damn brother. Keep the self defense up. You're going to need it later."
I shivered.
I'm just as good as dead.
Mike was much bigger than me. If it were him and me in a fight, he'd win before I could blink.
I didn't even try to reason with him. I just pulled out my text book and did the class work by myself as a distraction.

Latin, AP chemistry, English, and history all went swimmingly. I had students come up to me just to introduce themselves. At this point I had talked to everyone in those classes. Everyone pretty much liked me.
Andy and I sat next to each other in Latin. I watched him write out full translations in Latin that I wouldn't be able to do in years. It was pretty amazing. We kind of drifted from school work, though, and started talking about home life. Something about him was so welcoming so I freely told him what I've never told anyone. I told him about living in a group home and how my parents went missing. I even told him about my insomnia. I just had to leave out the freaky dreams. I don't think that would make for good conversation. Anyways, he told me about his life as well. He told me about this person he used to date named Devon. Weird name for a girl but she seemed really nice. He broke up with her, but he never did tell me why. Instead he changed the subject to his last name. Glass. He told me it wasn't his actual last name. He joked and said it was because he was running from the law.

At lunch he and I sat together at our usual spot and waited for the others. Only Josh and Zack showed.
"Where are the girls?" Andy asked.
"Mall," Josh laughed.
I noticed that Zack looked extremely uncomfortable and I wanted to get insight on what's up.
"Hey, Zack."
"Hi," he muttered.
"You alright?" Josh asked him.
"Did you punch Vic?" Zack asked me.
"About that, yes. But I didn't tell anyone. It's not like I'd intentionally ruin his damn life."
"I heard of that too, why'd that happen?" Josh asked.
"You guys want the truth?"
They all nodded.
"He tried to kiss me," I laughed.
They all looked pretty stunned. Especially Andy. Maybe they weren't okay with gays.
"I told him I wasn't gay but he won't leave me alone."
"He's a dick," Andy said.
"Yeah man, the idiot should've known you're with Tay," Josh said.
"He was the only person brave enough to act upon his feelings towards you," Zack said. He sounded like a fucking moron.
"Uh, what?"
"Well a lot of the guys here have a thing for you. I mean, so do practically all of the girls, but this school has their fair share of, uh, gays," Zack's eyes flickered up to Andy.
"Zack's friend is gay," Andy said.
I squinted my eyes at Zack.
"Okay," I said, pretending I didn't care.

Vic didn't show at art class. I assumed he left school from all of the embarrassment. For once I enjoyed the class.

After school I walked home because somehow I lost the dollar bill I needed to get home. Luckily it wasn't so much of a walk. When I got close something stopped me in my tracks.
"Hey, Kellin," Mike said in a threatening tone. He was in front of my house. I guess he was just as much of a stalker as Vic was. What the hell was wrong with their family?
"Mike, stop this now."
"An eye for an eye," Mike said. "But you know, I think you deserve a little more than one punch." He cracked his knuckles. "Or a lot more."
I gulped and backed away slowly.
Mike ran at me and had me by the shirt collar before I knew it.
"This is what you get when you mess with my family," Mike screamed and lifted his fist up high just about ready to punch my face in before Vic grabbed his arm and pulled it away from me.
I slipped out of Mike's grasp.
"Don't fight my damn battles for me," Vic yelled at Mike.
"Fuck you and your damn freak powers," Mike gritted and ran off.
I looked at Vic with a confused expression and he just turned away without saying a thing.
Well that was great, I thought. Of course it wasn't actually great. It was horrible. I could've gotten hurt.
I walked into the home and ran straight upstairs to shower. I thought about thanking Vic, then again he owed me this. We still weren't even, in my head. I wasn't going to talk to him. Mostly because behind all of the hatred, I knew I actually had feelings for him. Now that he practically saved my face from getting ruined, I couldn't help but feel a stronger connection towards him. I've been distancing myself from him to forget about this. That's the whole point of this 'make his life miserable' thing. If he hated me, I hated him. I wouldn't have to deal with this stupid crush on him and I could get on with my life.
I tuned the water off and went straight to bed. I knew tonight I'd get some horrid dream about Vic. I always did when I was thinking too much of him. I sighed and pulled myself under the covers.

Notes