Zeta's POV

The bus driver gave me a look as I climbed up the four unnecessarily big steps. I forced a grin and took a seat towards the center; I liked to sit alone, not that I had friends anyway. I rubbed my wrists and flinched. I had fresh cuts from this morning because my dad... hit me.

It's because lately they've been telling me, "You're a junior now, you need to start thinking about which college you want to go to." They want me to be a lawyer or doctor or something so that I can pay for them to get out of the shithole they call a life. I told them I wanted to be an artist and go my own way so my dad got angry and... my face isn't red from too much blush today.

I can't do anything right. And my parents know that...

I pulled down my sleeves and sighed. I plugged in my headphones and leaned my head up against the window. I was not looking forward to another long day of school. I had a feeling that I was going to be the girl people were going to start making fun of. I don't even have a good phone, just a piece of crap; my parents took it away because they didn't feel it was necessary to spend extra money on me.

What's new?

Today, I had my hair up in a simple ponytail, hoop earrings, a casual dress, a leather jacket and tennis shoes. What I wore was one of the few things I had control over.

The bus arrived at school and I was about to get off, but someone shoved my down the steps and I basically face-planted into the concrete. It did not taste good.

Laughter spread throughout the quad. My face was even more crimson than it had been before, filled with pain and embarrassment. I got up and sprinted to the bathrooms, ignoring the chortles behind me.

My tears were smearing my make up, but I didn't care anymore. No amount of make up in the entire world can cover up my ugliness. I'm not pretty. I'm not smart. I'm not normal. I don't have a normal life, and I probably never will.

I thought this only happened in movies. And now it's actually happening to me on my second fucking day.

The sobs must have been louder than I intended, because Emerson, Aria, and Nora came into the bathroom to ask me what was wrong. I didn't want to tell them, they weren't my friends. Were they?

I eventually, broke down and leaned onto Emerson's shoulder, "I'm so embarrassed," I sniffled "I'm just a complete screw-up." She held onto my shoulders, forcing me to look at her, "No you're not... What happened?" My eyebrows furrowed, "I happened!" And with that, I was out of that bathroom faster than they could ask anymore questions.

Jax's POV

"Alright guys, meet up with you later." I waved goodbye to my friends as I started walking to my first period. I looked down at my phone to text my girlfriend... when a girl runs into me, causing both of us to fall. I rub my shoulder, then I realize it's the same girl I saw yesterday.

"We have really got to stop bumping into each other like this," I chuckle as I stood up and offered her my hand, we both give each other this look, I don't really know what it was but I felt something. However, I just shook it off and helped her up. She had a red face, indicating that she had been crying, "Hey, are you okay?" I ask. She just nodded and wiped her eyes, "I'm fine." she said, plainly.

I could tell she wasn't, but... girls will be girls, I guess. It made my train of thought wander. How guys just don't show their feelings more often. Every person has an... emotional side, we're humans after all. It's just... some people are careful about whom they open up to, some are not. Guys also mostly don't show their emotional side due to pressure from the society "Be a man, men don't cry" etc. I suppose she just didn't want to tell a random person.

I snapped out of my thoughts and retorted: "I'm Jax."

"Zeta. W-We met yesterday, right?"

"Yeah. You liking it here?" I asked, attempting small talk.

"I dunno, the people can be bitches." she replied, I nod "Not people like you, I mean I bet you're a nice guy, you're nice to me... so, that means you're a nice guy, right? I just... did I offend you?"

I chuckled, "No."

She sighs and opens her mouth to say something, but then just grabs her face. "It's alright," I smile "I'm not one for words either. Here, I'll walk you to class."

Zeta had really pretty eyes, that made you just want to stare at them forever. I was hoping to make her more comfortable. "Switching schools sucks ass so anything I can do to help you?" I notice some red on her arms, but when I go to get a closer look, she pulls down her jacket's sleeves. "Thank you." she says. I shrug and drop her off at Ms. Thompson's room.

"This is me," she says "Thanks, and... sorry for hurting your shoulder... just having... another bad day." I sigh, "I'm sorry. If you ever want to talk about it, give me a call." I write my number down and hand it to her, we smile instead of saying goodbye and I leave to my class.

Zeta's POV

I...can't...believe...a...boy...just...gave...me...his...phone...number! And not just any guy! A really hot one! I hold my breath and walk to my seat, but then I remember that I just flipped the fuck out on Emerson, so my smile disappeared. She sits down, ignoring me. "I'm sorry," I whisper "Just... not having the best day... I know that doesn't make it right, I know you guys were just trying to help me... I'm sorry."

She smirks, "It's definitely alright," she replied "You okay now?" I nod and purse my lips, "More than okay!" I squeal-whisper. She raises her eyebrows, "Huh? Why?" she gasps "Is it a guy?" I nod, quickly, "Yeah," I giggled. I show her the paper with his number "You got his phone number!?" She's out of her seat now and everyone's staring at her.

She gasps and slowly sits back down, "Sorry."

Couldn't have said that any louder, Emerson?...

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