Mad World
Evan's PoV
"So, I thought they'd stop, but alas..." Barry mutters. "I mean, yeah, you've seen it, no need to explain what happened," I sigh. It's one of these days where I seek therapy from Kenny. Definitely cheaper than a real therapist and better in general. I mean, I've known him for a while now. Besides, my parents don't have to make the hassle of driving me to a real therapist.
"Yeah, you're right... Say, does the poem thing still work?" I shrug. "Kinda. This is my newest, if you wanna give it a read." I grab the piece of paper from my backpack and hand it to Barry.
Popularity
Whoever invented this concept
Your pain shall be eternal
Popularity, like a war of conquest
Even though it's not sempiternal
Trying to fit in, it causes me such misery
I want to be friendly, but receive injuries
How much more of this to tolerate?
Many depend on me, I fear to break
Thus, this concept is a toxicity
Not only to me, but all of humanity
Comments, pranks, acts of violence
All I long for is the sound of silence
"Tough stuff... Well, as always." "Yeah, no kidding. But, well, it is one of the few things keeping me alive. Well, that, you, Nate and my family." Barry sighs. "You know, I'm still hoping that you find someone to get you out of that abyss..."
I offer Barry a wry smile. "Keep hoping," I quip before standing up. "Well, I should go home. My parents are probably worrying." "Don't you wanna take a shower first? 'Cuz, you know, you still stink of toilet water." Hm. He's right. "Good idea."
"I'll use your shower, if that's okay with you!" Barry's dads look towards me as they're busy in the kitchen. "No problem, kiddo!" "Go ahead!"
After taking my clothes off, I look at my arms with a heavy sigh. "Pathetic..." I mutter. Myself, I mean. Like, this has been going on for three years and nothing gets better. Doesn't help dwelling on it, though, even if I can't help but do so often.
Thirty minutes later
"Right, I'm leaving. Oh, and thanks for the help." Barry and I exchange a smile. "Of course, anytime, man." Before I could connect my headphones to my phone, I get a call.
"Yes?" "Where are you? School has been over for an hour and yet you're not home!" My mom, figures. "I was at Barry's." She should know why. "...Alright. Just, please, come home safe." "I will."
Naomi's PoV
"So?" I turn to Bryce. "He's been at the Johnsons' house." At that answer, Bryce tenses up. "Another incident." I sigh in despair. "I still don't get why we don't bring him to a therapist or tell his principal about this..." "Because he does not want this, and you know that."
I sit down at the dinner table, still desperate. "What did we do wrong...?" Bryce sits down next to me and wraps his arm around me in an attempt to calm me down. "It's not our fault. It's not Evan's fault either."
Evan's PoV
"I'm home!" I exclaim. Before I could properly go into the hallway, Mom hugs me tight. "Thank God, I thought you were hurt or worse!"
Bryce's PoV
Well, I've never seen that behavior in her family before. Sarcasm mode off.
Evan's PoV
"Your hair is wet again," Dad states. I nod lowly. "Yeah, took a shower at Barry's house..." "Let me guess, another toilet incident?" Another low nod from me. "Well, you're home now. Want to have some dinner to calm down?" "Oh, but it'll take ten more minutes!" Mom exclaims. "No worries. I'll be in my room, call for me when dinner's ready." "Will do," my father says.
I sigh as I enter my messy room. "Huh. I wonder how they didn't confiscate that yet..." I grab the pair of scissors on my desk. The only sharp object in my room that isn't locked in a drawer.
"...No." Thanks to Barry's 'writing therapy', as I like to call it, I don't need anything sharp to ease the pain inside. I put on my headphones and put on my playlist. The first song, Hellevator by Stray Kids, already gives me an idea for another poem.
Hellevator
Can't escape the voices, they're too loud
A dark tunnel is where I wander around
It seems like I walk this road alone
While my own suffering, I bemoan
As I return to my penthouse of serenity
I quickly find myself in pity
For I know, sooner or later
I'm taking a ride down on the hellevator
"Yeah, no way a third stanza is gonna fit... Or maybe I'll put a stanza in between the other two?" I mutter to myself. "Dinner's ready!" I hear Mom's voice yell. Time goes by fast when you think about structurizing poems. "I'm coming!"
Kate's PoV
I slam the front door shut as I come home. "I'M HOME!" "Jiminy Christmas, do you always have to be so loud, Katherine?! Also, how come you're so late?!" "The coach made us work hard today again, sorry, Dad!"
"Still doing that soccer thing, huh?" I sigh as Seth, my brother, asks that once I zip past his room. "Yeah, and it's metaphorically kicking my teeth in."
Seth sighs. "You're pushing yourself more and more, sis. That can't be good." "Hey, I have to prove myself to the world somehow!" "You know that you don't have to." I scoff at his remark. "Whatever, bro."
If only he'd be right. Yes, I do push myself to the limits, but I'm just doing it for my friends and family. Speaking of my friends, my phone starts ringing. "Jia?"
I accept the call. "Talk to me, what's the t-?" "SHE BROKE UP WITH ME!" Jiaxing, one of my best friends, suddenly yells. Always the drama queen. "...Who, Leah?" "WELL, DUH!" she responds while sobbing.
I wonder why she's calling me, the girl who never had a boyfriend, let alone a damn crush! "She never was the right fit anyway! Besides, we are young, it wouldn't have taken long 'til it was over!" Well, that was the best way to reply, in my opinion.
"BUT I LOVED HER!" I sigh and try to smile. "Don't worry, there are many other fish in the sea! I wouldn't worry, you're hot, smart and a good friend!" Jiaxing sniffs in response. "Really...?" "Of course! Now listen to some music, I know that always cheers you up!" She giggles. "Right. Thanks, Kate!" "Anytime, love ya, bestie!" "Love ya too!"
Well, now it's up to her. As if I can help her, heh... "Who were you sweet talking to again?" I sigh. "Jia. Her girlfriend broke up with her." "Jia? As in Jiaxing Li, black hair, nerd?" "That's enough, yes, that's her!"
He clicks his tongue. "Well, I know the pain." "You broke up with your exes, not the other way around." "Because both of them were shitty people!" Seth retorts before he keeps talking. "Whatever, she'll get over it. You'll do that too when the time comes."
I blush as he says that. "No way!" "Way. Like, what grade are you in? Eighth?" "Yeah, but that does not mean anything!" "So, you're saying that you don't find anyone attractive? At all?" I scoff and throw my pillow at him. "Get outta here..." He chuckles... DON'T CHUCKLE LIKE THAT!
"Whatever you say. Maybe this year will be your year, if you get what I mean!" He points two finger guns at me as he leaves my room. "Heh, yeah, right, as if..." I mutter to myself.
Hell, even if I actually would fall in love, I would either mess everything up with him or my family. Maybe even both- WAIT, NO, OVERTHINKING AGAIN, BAD KATHERINE! "Hey, Kateniss, wanna play some Mortal Kombat?" Seth calls from his room. "I'M TAKING KITANA, YOU'RE GOING DOWN!" "DREAM ON!"
Okay, this chapter was only a means to introduce the two main chars. In the next one, the plot will continue! 'Til then, see y'all! And, yes, the Bryce and Naomi that are mentioned are those from Love - For Real?. This story is about their child, FYI.
