Playlist Love

***Hey guys, I'm back! Sorry I haven't updated Comp & Comp in so long. I haven't forgotten about it, but I've had this idea in my head for so long that I wanted to write it. It's been on my Tumblr for the longest time but I finally decided to put it here. Anyway, enjoy!***

“Have you ever wanted to disappear?”

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“Kellin, sweetie, wake up or you’ll be late for school.” I let out an annoyed groan as I slowly sat up on my bed and rubbed the sleep from my eyes. I looked at my bedroom door that hadn’t been opened yet, meaning this was my mom’s first warning. If I wasn’t in the bathroom or downstairs in the next ten minutes she’d physically wake me up, and I hated that.

I slowly got out of bed and stretched as soon as my feet hit the ground. My bones cracked and my muscles ached but I shook it off and headed to my closet to pick out an outfit.

I needed to look good today. It was the first day of school and I needed to dress to impress. Actually, it was my first day of school. You see, my family had moved from Medford, Oregon, where I was born, to Grand Rapids, Michigan before we finally settled on our current city, San Diego, California. My stepdad had to move a lot for work so despite the fact that I’d only lived in three cities, I’d changed schools multiple times depending on which part of the city he was transferred to.

Rick, my stepdad, assured me that we were gonna settle in San Diego. He’d gotten a promotion in his company so he was stationed at their headquarters. Unfortunately for me we moved right in the middle of my first semester of my senior year so I had to start school with no friends and no idea if I was behind or ahead of the others in my grade.

I sighed when I realized that I had no idea what I wanted to wear. Instead I headed to the bathroom for a shower. I could decide later.

I turned the water on and waited for it to heat up. I thought about how today was going to go as I stripped out of my pajamas. I had a habit of playing out scenarios whenever I got anxious, and at that moment I was anxious. I was getting ready to go to a school that I’d never been to before in a town I’d only moved to two days ago.

I stood under the water and thought about how my first interactions would go. I wasn’t popular back in Michigan but I wasn’t considered the loser either. I had a great group of friends and everyone liked me well enough. I just hoped the same would happen at my new school.

I turned the water off and got out, toweled off, and left the bathroom. I dug through my clothes once again. I had an outfit in mind but I couldn’t find the pieces, probably because I hadn’t unpacked all my clothes yet. I looked in my suitcase and found what I was looking for: a black and white baseball tee. I slipped it on along with boxers, black skinny jeans, and black and white Converse. After going back to the bathroom to brush my teeth and fix my hair, I grabbed my backpack and headed downstairs.

“Look who decided to join us,” my mom said in a cheerful yet condescending tone. I restrained from rolling my eyes and gave a quick nod instead.

“Alright Mary, I’m off,” Rick said as he came downstairs. He grabbed a thermos off the kitchen counter, kissed my mom, and left without another word. My mom sighed and looked at me with an unsure smile. I shrugged it off. Rick was starting his new job today. The company wanted to give him some time to settle in before they put him to work. If only my parents gave me that luxury with school.

“Well, looks like I’m taking you to school today,” Mom said. I shrugged again and went to the fridge to pour myself a glass of juice. “Are you going to eat solid food today?”

“Yes,” I said simply. I could tell she didn’t believe me so I grabbed a bowl from the cabinet and poured myself some cereal. I saw her visibly relax when I put a spoonful in my mouth.

“Well hurry up and eat so I can take you to school,” she said as she sipped her coffee. I groaned.

“Can’t I just take my car?”

“Kellin,” she said in a warning tone. We’d had this discussion since we moved on Saturday. She wanted to drive me to school so I could get familiar with the city, but I of course was against it.

“How can I learn where I’m going if you won’t give me the chance to figure it out? Besides, I’m already the new kid; please don’t let me be the kid who has to get dropped off by his mommy.”

“I don’t want you getting lost in the city.”

“That’s why we have the wonders of modern technology,” I replied quite sarcastically. She sighed. “Please, Mom?”

“Fine,” she said reluctantly, “but only because I worked a double last night and I’m tired.” I smiled. My mom was a nurse. Last night she went into work in the afternoon and didn’t get home until 3 AM. I knew she was tired but got up to take me to school.

“Thanks Mom,” I said with a smile. I put my bowl in the sink and kissed her cheek. “I’ll be home at three.”

“Alright. I won’t be, but alright.” I kissed her cheek again before picking up my bag and keys. With a wave I walked out to my car. After consulting Google Maps on my phone I was on my way to school.

Mission Bay High School. That was where I would be spending my last year of high school. It was a decent school. Some students got accolades for their achievements in math, science, or other clubs. The football team wasn’t the greatest but the soccer team made it to finals at the state level a couple years ago. Other than those things that I had read on the internet, I knew nothing about this school.

I stood in front of the steps leading up to the building and took a deep breath. There was no need to be nervous, other than the fact that it was almost October and I was just starting here. Well Kellin, I thought to myself, it’s now or never. I took in another breath and told myself to calm down as I walked up to the school.

As soon as I walked in I was greeted with the sounds of the student body. They were all roaming the halls, talking to their friends or significant others about whatever. I picked up on bits and pieces of their conversations but they all got jumbled up with the rest of their peers’. Whatever, it didn’t matter. I went through the sea of students until I made it to the front office.

“Welcome to Mission Bay, how may I help you?” some girl asked in a monotonous tone. She was sitting behind a desk in the reception area of the office, not looking up. She was staring at her phone. Obviously she didn’t want to be there.

“Um, hey,” I spoke timidly. “I’m new.” She looked up at me with a questioning look.

“Are you Kellin?” I nodded. “Oh my gosh, yay!” It was my turn to be confused.

“Um, what?”

“They said you’d be coming and that I’d get to show you around. I’m Lynn by the way. Oh, thank you for giving me something to do this period.” She smiled widely at me and practically bounced up from her seat. I could tell she was a hyperactive person.

“Okay, so, uh, what now?”

“Oh, duh.” She pulled open a drawer and shuffled through some papers before pulling a couple out and walking to the front of the desk.

“Okay, so here’s your schedule and a map of the school. You won’t really need it though since I’m gonna show you around. You’ll know all the important rooms and whatnot. Your locker number and combination are on your schedule along with your ID number.” She handed the papers to me and I examined them to take note of all she’d just said.

“Any questions?” she asked. I shook my head. “Cool. I noticed your first class is government with Davis so c’mon.” I glanced at my schedule and sure enough government was first on the list of classes. I quickly followed behind Lynn as she led me down the hall and up a flight of stairs.

“Oh, those big doors lead to the library. It’s not that special. The cafeteria is on the other end of this hall. It’s easy to find, just follow the smell of fries.” She chuckled at her own joke and as we turned a corner.

“And here’s your room,” she said when we stopped. I stared blankly at the closed wooden door. “Are you okay?” I shook my head to get out of whatever thoughts were floating around and smiled.

“Yeah, just thinking. Thanks.”

“Don’t thank me yet, I still have to show you to your other classes.” I smiled shyly. I’d forgotten about that. “Don’t worry though, you have to go through each class before I’m allowed to show you your next one. A few years ago that wasn’t the case so people would skip all their classes so they changed the rules. I think they caught a new student and her guide hooking up in the janitor’s closet. I don’t know, it was before I got here.”

I tried to take in all she had said but she was talking so fast. I was worried she wouldn’t breathe.

“Anyway,” she continued, “here’s your class. Go on in.” I nodded and grabbed the cool metal doorknob. The door creaked quietly as I pushed it open. Soon I was met with about twenty students and forty eyes staring at me.

“Can I help you?” the man standing at the head of the class asked. I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out. I looked back at Lynn for help.

“Mr. Davis, this is Kellin,” she answered for me. Mr. Davis looked down at a piece of paper in his hands and nodded.

“Ah, yes, Kellin. Glad you could join us.” He turned and faced the class. “Guys, this is Kellin Bostwick. This is his first day here. Kellin, you have anything you want to say about yourself?” I wasn’t going to say anything but there was something I needed to add.

“It’s Quinn,” I said quietly.

“Excuse me?”

“My last name. It’s Quinn, not Bostwick.” He looked down at his sheet quizzically before looking back at me.

“Hm, must be a mistake. Lynn, take this back to the office and have them fix it if you can.” Lynn nodded and took the paper. “Kellin, find an empty desk” I nodded and quickly scanned the room. There was an empty seat near the center of the room and one in the back corner. I opted for the corner and went to sit down. Mr. Davis started the lesson shortly after.

It was the longest hour and some-odd minutes of my life. I tried to pay attention but every once in a while I’d hear someone whispering or I could feel their gaze on me. I wasn’t sure why they were making such a big deal about me. Was it because I was new? Surely they’d met new students before. Maybe it was because I was starting in late September rather than August like they had. I was quick to find out that that wasn’t the case.

About half an hour into the lesson the door opened. I looked up from my notebook, expecting it to be Lynn or another teacher. Instead there was a student standing in the threshold. He was about my height, although he was about an inch shorter than me. His skin was naturally tan and he had wavy brown hair that almost touched his shoulders. He stood there in a T-shirt whose sleeves hugged his biceps and khaki shorts and black Vans. His snapback was turned so the bill was facing backwards. All the chatter in the classroom stopped as the stranger walked in.

“Mr. Fuentes, glad you decided to join us,” Mr. Davis said in an annoyed tone. The kid shrugged with a cocky grin.

“You know I couldn’t let this class go on without gracing it with my presence,” he said. I could tell immediately that this guy was full of himself.

“Well how about you take your seat or else you’ll be gracing detention with your presence.”

“Sure thing.” The kid walked through the isle of desks, stopping in front of mine. He crossed his arms over his chest as he stared me down.

“Um, yes?” I asked meekly.

“Up,” he commanded. I raised an eyebrow in confusion.

“What?”

“You’re in my seat. Get up.” I looked around at the class. Half of the students were looking away, the other half were staring at the guy in front of me, offering me no aid.

“Uh, Mr. Davis didn’t tell me this seat was occupied.”

“Well it is so get the hell up.”

“Vic, there are other seats,” Mr. Davis said tiredly.

“Tell him that,” the “Vic” person said. He stared me down, trying to intimidate me. It worked. He had a look in his eyes like he’d been through some things, inflicted some pain on some people. The way the class avoided his gaze made me think that he was the toughest guy in school.

“I’m gonna ask you again. Get the fuck up.” I scoffed.

“When did you ask the first time?” A couple students looked at me with wide eyes. What had I done?

“What?” Vic growled at me. I soon realized that no one had ever said something like that to Vic before. The class looked scared for their lives, or mine rather. Vic leaned his frame on the desk, his hands grasping the edges tightly.

“Get. The fuck. Out of my seat. Or else I’ll make you, and you don’t want me to do that.” He spoke quietly but venom spilled from his mouth. I could see the rage in his eyes. I had really pissed him off.

“The class is almost over. Can’t you just sit somewhere else?” My voice was shaking as I spoke. The look he gave me told me that he didn’t like my suggestion.

“I don’t know who the hell you think you are but you don’t call the shots around here. I do, and no little bitch is gonna tell me what to do. Now,” he grabbed the collar of my shirt and pulled me up, “get the fuck up!”

“That’s enough, Vic!” Mr. Davis yelled. He pried Vic’s hands from my collar and pushed him away. I took the moment to catch my breath.

“You have detention, now go to the principal.” Vic scoffed but left the room without a word. He shot a nasty glance at me before he walked out of the door. “Are you okay Kellin?” I gave a small nod. He patted my shoulder softly before he went back to the front of the room.

I sat back in my seat and tried to calm down. What the hell just happened? I thought things like that only happened in movies. Well, apparently I was mistaken.

Someone behind me tapped my shoulder making me jump in my seat. I turned around as the person handed me a folded up piece of paper. I faced forward again and opened the note.

Dude, I’d suggest getting far away from here. You’re done

I glanced behind me at the person who was now gibing me sympathetic eyes. I sighed. My first class of the day and I had already been bullied, threatened, and most likely ostracized, and all because I sat in one kid’s seat. Vic was a bully and by the looks of it, I was his new target. So much for a good first day.

Notes