Chapter Text
The ceiling fan turned above Ratthew’s uncomfortable bed, its blades slicing through the dark like a metronome counting down to nothing, except the rhythm was wrong, off-kiltered, squeaking with every rotation. With every pass, something inside him rotted a little more.
Then, the alarm clock’s ring clawed at his skull, sharp and insistent. He jolted upright, the world snapped into focus like a camera lens locking into place. Ratthew transitioned his gaze from the ceiling fan to his calendar, November 24th, a Monday.
Ratthew groaned while getting out of bed. He considered skipping, but while he was getting up, he saw the picture he had framed, sitting on his brown desk. It was a picture of Rattina and him as children on the 4th of July, both drawing half a heart around them with sparklers to form a full heart. As he saw that, his mind changed as he reminisce on brighter, softer days where the world wasn't as dull and empty. “I can’t ditch school, I need to do this for Rattina. She would be proud of me.”, he thought to himself. He put on his best clothes, which was a very old white button up shirt with a collar, a v-neck sweater with some loose strings due it being from the thrift store, along with black pants and black and white Vans. He had trouble moving around the room due to there being disorganized boxes everywhere from just moving in.
He opened the door as the freezing wind blew through, wishing he had a car. As he was walking on the sidewalk with his hands in his pockets, looking at all of the dead flora, he started to overthink from all the bad experiences in the past. He was always the target for bullies, which made his stomach sink, but convinced himself this school would be different. Ratthew rounded the corner of the hallway, his backpack slung over one shoulder. There, he caught Ron standing with perfect posture, his attention fixated on his watch tapping his left foot.
“He’s late on his first day, I knew this was a waste of time– seriously what is this guy’s problem–”
His words cut off as he finally noticed Ratthew standing there behind him, watching him.
“You're late,” Ron said, his voice flat “We’re supposed to be at the registrar’s office in ten minutes.”
Ron exhaled sharply through his nose, “I was told to give you a tour around campus. So let’s go.”
Ratthew raised his eyebrow “You don’t look so thrilled about this.”
Ron’s fingers twitched at his sides, like he was debating whether to shove past Ratthew or accept the inevitable.
“Let’s go,” Ron muttered, already turning on his heel.
Ratthew fell into step behind him, close enough to catch the faint scent of whatever expensive body spray Ron used. Something sharp and clinical, like it was trying too hard to be clean.
“It’s Ron…From Accounting by the way,”
Ratthew scoffed “From accounting? That’s really part of your full name?”
“Yea, so?” Ron said with slight passive aggressiveness in his tone.
Ratthew just gave him a concerned look and kept walking. After what felt like decades, they finished the tour. In reality, it was only 30 minutes. By then, Ron was relieved he didn’t have to deal with someone so unprofessional anymore and impatiently waited for the first bell to ring.
“This is getting awkward, Ron.. From Accounting” Ratthew said sarcastically.
“So.. why did you move here?” Ron asked unenthusiastically.
“Couldn’t afford to stay in my old apartment,” he said.
“What?! What do you mean ‘your old apartment’? Your parents don-?”
The bell rang.
“Gotta go” Ratthew said. Ron noticed he rushed away pretty fast.
“What a weirdo,” Ron thought to himself. As the day continued, Ratthew kept looking at Ron, hoping he wouldn’t notice.
Ron checked his watch, 8:45, 5 minutes late. Usually Ron would make it his personal obligation to be five minutes early but because of that whole situation with that Ratthew kid he was 5 minutes late instead. He sat near the front, shoulders rigid, fingers drumming against his notebook in a rhythm only he could hear. Out of the corner of his eye, he felt Ratthew, leaning back in his chair, one ankle resting on the opposite knee, looking far too relaxed for someone who probably hasn't cracked open a book in whoever knows long.
Who even is this guy?
Ron’s jaw clenched. He didn't care if Ratthew was lazy or not. It wasn't his problem. But for some reason, the way Ratthew’s gaze lingered on him, like he was sizing him up made his skin prickle. The teacher droned on about the syllabus, but Ron’s attention was shot. He could feel Ratthew’s presence, heavy and unshakable, like a shadow he couldn't shake.
Just ignore him.
Ron straightened, flipping open his notebook with deliberate precision. He had better things to do than worry about some random guy in the back row.
As Ratthew was zoning out and staring at Ron after he finished classwork, the bell rang again.
“Ugh.. I don’t wanna get upp,” he thought to himself. After he forced himself up out of the seat too big for him, he found himself walking in the loud and crowded hallway. His body stiffened up and he held his backpack straps tight while his heart beat fast because he was nervous about getting bullied. Suddenly, he felt a hand push him.
“Move outta the way ya fuckin rat!!”
Ratthew froze, his fingers curling into fist. He didn’t flinch he heard worse.
“Where’d you get those clothes?? The garbage?!” The boy laughed as his friends joined him.
“...”
“Don’t just stare at us you freak, do something!”
“...”
The boy laughs at Ratthew more, and due to him being unresponsive, the boy decides to knock him over. Ratthew's bag falls open and his supplies fall all over, losing some of it from people still walking everywhere. “Move,” Ron stood a few centimeters away, his expression unreadable, but his presence alone made the bullies mutter under their breath, one of them gave a kick to Ratthew’s shin before rushing off with the others.
Ron turned to Ratthew, his jaw tight “You okay?” he leaned down to offer his hand.
Ratthew stared at Ron’s open palm before brushing himself off, avoiding Ron’s gaze “I didn’t ask for your help,”
Ron’s eyes narrowed. “Clearly.”
A beat of silence. The hallway emptied around them, leaving only the faint hum of fluorescent lights. Ron got down, picking up Ratthew’s discarded text and notebooks, putting it back in Ratthew’s backpack. Ron noted how beat up the backpack looked, and Ratthew’s clothes but didn’t comment on them. “Zip up your backpack next time.”
“Come on,” Ron finally said, jerking his chin toward the hallway that led to the nurse's office. “Don’t make me saving you from jerks a habit.” Ratthew hesitated, then followed.
“Sooo.. why did those guys leave so fast when you went up to them?” Ratthew wondered.
“I’m the principal's son. I guess I never mentioned that.”
“Wow, that explains a lot.” Ratthew said with a smirk while rolling his eyes.
“Just shut up and walk.” Ron sounded annoyed.
They arrived at the nurses office. Ratthew wasn’t hurt too bad, just a bruise on his lower arm from when he fell on it. They both got up to leave.
“Was hoping you’d have an injury so I wouldn’t have to deal with you again.” Ron didn’t say it out loud, but he was thankful that there was nothing but a bruise.
“Ohhh come onn.. y'know maybe that doesn't sound too bad, I wouldn't have to see YOU again either.” Ratthew said sarcastically.
Just as they walked into the hallway and were about to part to different classes, Ratthew stopped and turned to Ron.
“Hey, Ron,”
“What?” Ron stopped, still sounding annoyed, wanting to get to his next class.
“Thanks for that.” Ratthew put his hand on the back of his head looking slightly embarrassed, smiling though.
Ron stopped to look at Ratthew. He didn’t look annoyed, just a blank face. He then turned and walked the opposite direction to get to his next class.