Oh No!
♡ ♡ ♡

"Hurry up boys! We don't have all day!"

I sighed as I stepped into the locker room, smelling the distinct scent of sweat and cologne, mixed together to form aroma almost pungent. Coach Swan blew his whistle once more and most of the guys in the room raced out with their tail between their legs. I took my time taking my gym clothes off, trying not to gag at the strong smells permeating the room. I always stayed behind, skipping warm ups. Gym wasn't something I enjoyed; being a lean teenager with the athletic ability of a fork didn't earn me anymore of a title than "nerd." Of course, that would never stop the twisted attitude of mine, constantly starting trouble with other boys my age.

In the locker room, it was quiet, the only sound of my shirt hitting the floor gently. The grey green of the monotone doors was unpleasant, just like the whiff of sweaty balls and armpit.

I sometimes wished I could change the way things were. Having no friends, and being a number target for the football team wasn't ideal. I wanted something to change. I just didn't know how.

Just when I pulled on my jeans, I felt something touch my shoulder. My body jolted like electricity buzzing through my veins. I whipped around, gasping as I spotted the kid who grabbed me.

Jean Wilson towered above me, at six foot, and seemed to enjoy intimidating me. He had these strong brows, arched and dark, giving him a constant grimace. His high cheekbones complimented his thin top lip, and thicker bottom lip, setting off the tawny eyes of him. His almond eyes narrowed at me, and I couldn't help but frown. Fucking Jean, of all people.

"Yo nerd," he called out to me, smiling cruelly, like he knew what my reply would be. He was wrong.

"Hello imbecile jock, how can I help your small brain today?" I muttered, a grim line stretching my lips. I wasn't strong, not by a long shot, but I knew Jeans buttons, and I'd push for all I was worth.

I knew it would only provoke Jean, but I couldn't help it. He deserved it. The brute pushed me against the locker behind me, making my head knock roughly on the metal. The clang of the metal richocheted in my head, and i could help but let out a little ow.
Jean leaned close to my face, ignoring my flinch. I didn't want to admit it, but he smelled like peppermint.I also hated to admit I was a bit terrified of the guy. "Now listen here, nerd, I'm here to teach you a little lesson. Don't think I'll let that stunt you pulled yesterday go unnoticed."

Jean's upper lip curled into a snarl as he glared at me through squinted eyes.

I chuckled, albeit faintly. "How does it feel to fail science? I wouldn't know, I have a ninety seven." Jean apparently didn't appreciate my humor.

As his face turned red with rage, I sighed. "Fuck you, I'm hilarious," I said. He didn't think that was funny either. I guess my tastes didn't appeal to him.

His brain was too small to comprehend it anyhow. Silly me for trying to enlighten him with my words of hilarity.

Jean pushed me harder against the metal, arms on either side of my face. I could see the rage in his eyes; could smell the Axe deodorant; could sense impending doom. I watched him clock his fist and right as he was going to lay me out, suddenly he stopped. My eyes were squeezed shut, and I could hear a pin drop if I listened closely. My heart fluttered in my chest. Why wasn't he pounding my face in, like usual?

Had I finally gotten through to the six foot behemoth?

I opened one eye, to see why he stopped, when I noticed noticed a faint blue light glowing from inside my chest. My mind wasn't working correctly, and I didn't understand, until suddenly Jean's chest glowed up as well, only his was a pink color.

My eyes grew wide as saucers. I nearly screamed.

"What the-?"

"Huh?" I gasped out.

Jean stared at my chest, eyes bulging. "Your chest it-"

"Wait no - SHIT!"

"That means were-"

He stopped and simultaneously we both screamed, "Oh hell no!"

I had wanted something to change. Just not something quite so consequential.

○ ○ ○

I raced out the the locker room at record speed, my shirt not even halfway buttoned. I had a jacket bunched in my arms, a bookbag thrown over my shoulder carelessly, three quarters zipped.

I couldn't tell what was left and what was right, as I ran aimlessly until I came upon the school doors. I didn't bother to go to my locker; I'd rather miss one homework assignment then face what had just happened in the locker room. My breath came out in harsh rasps, and I couldn't help but shake.

My body seemed to be balanced precariously on a fine edge. My mind was blank as the walls I passed through to get to the door.

Jean was my soulmate.

I've been waiting all my life for the one; Jean definitely was not the one.

Maybe it was a mistake. A false alarm. I don't like boys. I most definitely do not like Jean, and he doesn't like me either.

It's wrong.

We just happened to be in the right place at the right time. He isn't the one for me.

A little voice whispered to me, well then, why are you running?

As soon as I made it to my car, I sat down on the pavement and put my head inbetween my knees. I had no answer to that question. There was just no way Jean Wilson could be the one. No chance in hell. My shuddered breaths were covered by the chirps of birds, passing cars and chatter of seniors on their free period. I swallowed my oncoming vomit, trying to soothe my quivering lips. .

I heard the sound of a car engine going off, and I looked up to see Jean in a worse state than I was. His face was grave, and he could barely get the key in the lock of the car door. His hands trembled so much it was noticeable from two spaces away. At one point he dropped his keys, and when he did so, I could almost see the whites of his eyes reddened as if he'd been crying. Perhaps he was like me, panicking to the point of tears.

The car door finally opened and he threw in his back pack. Before going in, he laid his head on the hood of his vehicle and muttered something not even I could hear. Soon enough, he drove off so recklessly dust was kicked up from the wheels.

As I rose from the ground, I wiped off the back of my jeans, biting the inside of my cheek. I tasted blood but ignored the pain.

Jean and I had been rivals since elemenary. We grew up in the same town, and had some of the same friends. I had always been the smart kid. Of course, there was always one subject Jean was better at than me, and it had always been English.

Our back story was basic, and had no real meaning, but for some reason I started envisioning our entire life relationship.

When Jean hit puberty, he was no longer the semi popular boy, but the most beloved. The summer after seventh grade he got way taller, and he cut his chin length black hair. His face lost its baby chubbiness, and he lost some weight. His face seemed chiseled, he gained muscle from football. Next thing I knew I was getting swirlies in the most unhygienic toilets of Mildred High.

Ever since then, I had been his target. I had then started picking fights with the guy too, insulting his intelligence, and brutal strength. I probably made it worse for the both of us.

But I was a spiteful kid, and I didn't know how to back down.

Old habits die hard.

I hopped into my car, feeling crystalline droplets fill up to the brim of my eyes. As I gripped the steering wheel in a white knuckled hold, I had so many questions filtering through my muddled brain. What if Jean actually was my soulmate? How would I face him, how would I react? I don't think I could take it.

I took a shaky breath. My old Toyota grumbled out of Mildred's parking lot, almost hitting a stop sign on the way out.

As my car pulled up into my parents garage, almost four hours earlier than usual, my head crumbled and the horn beeped as my head ricocheted. I tried to convince myself I'd be fine.

Too bad I didn't help.

○ ○ ○

School the next day was rough. I kept my head down, wore some black clothes to try and blend in, doing anything to avoid Jean. It seemed like the jerkwad wasn't even at school anyway.

Although I didn't want too, my eyes scoured the halls for the big guy, and to my disappointment, (of both myself and him), he was not there. I hadn't even realized I actually wanted to see him. I wanted closure. Is it true? Am I stuck with him for the rest of my life? Or is it faulty.

I needed to know.

I needed to know.

I walked past some senior girls, when suddenly a cheerleader stopped me.

"Wait! Michael Vanholdht?"

I turned around and frowned. Seniors didn't fraternize with juniors much. The main girl, a dark skinned brunette, handed me a note with a small clipped smile. "We were told by Jean to give this to you. You are Michael right?"

I nodded. "Thanks a lot."

The cheerleader just went back to her friends and waved at me, before deserting me in an empty hall. I knew I was going to be late, but I didn't mind.

I opened up the note gingerly, and it only said:

Nerd, meet me in the science classroom, immediately after school. If you don't show up, I'll find you. My mom knows yours. I'm sure she knows where you live.

- Jean W.

I swallowed the bile in my throat and re folder the note, as if it had been untouched. My eyes filtered over the neat, large scribbled letters. Despite it being only four sentences, it scared more than I could've imagined. I choked back the sickening feeling in my gut, tossing my bag over my shoulders.

I shoved the note into my pocket as the bell rang.

It sounded like a knell. How fitting.

• • •

Knell is the sound of a death bell.

Anyway, part one of three is complete! Enjoy!