Another year, another time where everyone seems to forget my birthday. I'm not gonna pester my family again over this topic; it's useless. The last time I tried, they threatened to ground me for three weeks as Mom claimed I wasn't doing well enough at school, as if the two things are related.

Never mind. It's just me, myself and I. I guess I have to find something to do, possibly away from this house—I've had enough of it and the other people living here. They only come to me when I have to do them a favor, while they can gladly pretend I don't exist otherwise.

Sneaking out has never been this easy. No lengthy reprimands, no pointing fingers, no disapproving glares. If they can't even sing me Happy Birthday, why should they be worried for my wellbeing? They'd make me do a long list of chores as a "gift."

I check my backpack to make sure I've left nothing behind—if I have to go back in, I'll surely be caught. Fortunately, I have everything with me: my wallet, phone and charger, textbooks (today is a school day, after all) and my house door keys.

I hope I can skate by this school day without too much trouble. Well... I guess I've talked too soon. The moment I walk down the street on my way to school, I hear a whistle stopping me on my tracks. I turn to find... Griffin Evans. What does he want from me? Isn't he supposed to be going to school, too?

I try to be polite and keep myself from groaning or sighing. "Good morning, Griffin. It looks like you have something important to tell me." Even though I don't show it, I'm sarcastic now. I don't care about his bullshit. I don't want to run late to school because of his stupid shenanigans.

He smirks. "Come on, love, don't be upset. I just wanted to say hello."

I try to keep myself from blushing. "Oh, thank you, I guess..." I hope this reaction softens him up a little bit. He can't be as toxic as he seems to be. He might just be influenced by his family. Maybe there's a gentle side of him I haven't seen yet.

My prediction turns out to be completely wrong. He replies back with a sour tone. "Don't be ridiculous, Lane. You know I'm way out of your league." What does he even mean? Does he need to rub salt in the wound? I already know no guy would line up for me, so he doesn't need to point it out again.

"Way out of your league. Nice way to put that. Just stop tiptoeing around it and admit you think I'm a loser." His eyes narrow as I corner him. It's always satisfying to deflate his ego every once in a while. "Oh, by the way, I also think you are. Get lost, Evans."

I turn my back at him and walk at a brisk pace in order to reach school in a timely manner, but he violently grabs my right arm, nearly making me drop my backpack. I shout, "Leave me alone! What are you doing?"

"Woah, woah, woah... Where are you going?" His grin is scary as hell. What does he plan to do with me? Can't he just let me to go to school in peace? He continues, not relenting from his strong hold on my arm. "We go to school together. Have you forgotten?"

Well, we only share English as a course. For the rest, I barely see him at school. Is he planning to change his course plan to pester me? I hope not. I can't stand to see him even for five minutes, let even a whole school day.

He pushes me to the ground as he finally lets go of me. Instead of helping me to get back on my feet, he leaves. I have to stand up on my own to get rid of the dirt on both my knees and backpack. Fuck that little brat. If he planned to disturb me so that I'll be late to school, then he's in for a bad surprise.

I know a shortcut that will allow me to arrive way earlier than him. He doesn't know yet—hopefully, he hasn't found it out either. I pick up my pace, but not to walk briskly. I start running.

***

After a poor start to my day, I manage to arrive in time to my English class. The same can't be said about Griffin, who ends up being late. He complains that he was slowed down by a flock of birds aiming at him. Pure bullshit. He must've walked slowly as fuck.

He's so used to being driven everywhere that walking is like a torture to him. Well, he has to get used to it. He can't always have his precious mommy and daddy taking him everywhere he wants with close to no effort.

The worst part is that Mr. Atkinson doesn't even reprimand Griffin properly. He just tells him to sit down and reminds him that another instance of him being late will cost him two hours of detention after school.

That's unfair. Once, I was sent back home as punishment for running late as a consequence of a bus crash on my way to school. I'm tempted to point that out, but decide not to as I don't want to spend a single minute in detention.

I quietly let the class pass, taking notes every once in a while, before leaving without getting acknowledged. It has become so easy overtime that someone thinks I'm a ghost, others simply that I don't exist. Not a big deal.

***

Lunch is the typical shit. Today, it tastes even worse than usual. It's so painfully obvious the diner ladies didn't put any effort. Spam sandwiches made with stale bread... I'm not surprised, I'm just... I don't have a word appropriate enough to describe this feeling.

Anyway, I eat my sandwich without complaining, drinking a lot of water between one bite and another. To make matters even worse, Griffin passes by my table, where I'm sitting on my own, and improvises fake cough, much to my annoyance.

I ignore him at first. I haven't got enough time or patience for his antics. If he wants to act like the idiot he is, so be it. But away from me.

When I'm done with that terrible sandwich, I clear the table and stand up, only for Griffin to trip me. What the fuck is his problem? My trash is now all scattered on the floor and I have to pick it up on my knees while Griffin grabs a phone to film me.

He puts it back in his pockets before I can stop him. That sneaky little asshole knows how to bend rules in his favor, but isn't the only one. Anyway, my poor figure has been recorded and will end up on social media quite soon. I just hope it doesn't reach home, at least. I'd be toast.

I leave the canteen, defeated. The only way for me to turn this day around is to have someone throw me the most amazing surprise party ever. Too bad it's only going to be a pleasant dream.