Was Wildwood always so chaotic?

You really wish it wasn't.

You don't have any classes for the second period, so you often head to the library since the area was quiet and peaceful. You usually go to your chosen table and bring out whatever it was you wanted to do. Whether it was to draw, read, write, or even just look through your phone, it didn't matter as long as it passed the time.

But you really really underestimated how crazy other students become when something interesting happens.

In this case, that something was someone. And that someone just so happened to have a crowd surround him at your usual spot. Usually, you would just ignore it and find another spot. But today, the library was filled to the brim.

You gave a very soft, low growl at the back of your throat.

What the hell has everyone so crazy about this one guy? It had to be one of the new students. Why else?

Curious, you craned your neck and walked around the crowd to try and see who was in the center of it. You would see bits of what looked like wavy red hair, but that was all you could gather for now.

With a heavy sigh, you soon gave up. Out of boredom, your eyes wandered around the luxurious room. Walls are adorned with oil paintings and portraits between the shelves. As your eyes wandered, you caught sight of a set of stairs that lead to an upper level of the library. It had some people up there, but nowhere near the amount hoarding down where you were right now.

Slowly going up the stairs, hand gliding along the rail, you eventually manage to catch sight of the current man of the hour.

As you saw a glimpse of earlier, he had wavy, bright red hair that cascaded past the right side of his face. The shade of it almost made you think it glowed. His skin was fair and pale with rosy cheeks. His nose was convexed and raised and decorated with a single piercing on his left nostril. His eyes were sharp and narrow. His fern-colored eyes seemingly glowed in contrast to the smoky eye makeup he wore.

He was attractive- you'll admit, but nothing you would fan over.

He sat in what used to be your usual seat, one leg crossed over the other, with his cheek resting on his knuckles. He seemed almost smug with everyone around him complimenting and giving him gifts (which he paid little to no attention to).

Just one look, and you can tell he might be conceited. He honestly gave such a heavy air of narcissism that you could drown.

You lost track of how long you were staring at the man, as you eventually noticed him staring at you back.

He didn't give you a lazy stare as he did with everyone else, though. He seemed to almost glare at you. His mouth was slightly hung open and his brows were arched up and down.

It didn't take him long to notice your features. But it also didn't take him long to notice you had little to no show of affection towards him. No blush, no smile, not even the slightest spark in your (E/C) eyes.

You said nothing nor acknowledged him at all after that, and headed for any empty chairs available.
You eventually found one and plopped down on the seat and tossed your belongings onto the floor next to you. You were certainly surprised to have found another one of the infamous Wildwood Academy's new faces. But at least you didn't have to interact with this one.

You dug your hand through your bag, trying to find something to take your mind off of everything.
Your fingers graze on what felt like your phone screen when you heard a deep voice clear voice. You raise your head and meet the redhead's cold stare.

It was silent after that. You eventually noticed that his little fan club gave you death stares from the lower level. Your brain couldn't help but string out many many curses that mainly consisted of words like 'Dammit' and 'fuck'.

"May I help you?" You hesitantly uttered.

His brow shot up and gave a long, slow sigh through his nose, "Who are you?"

"Why should I tell you?"

His brows furrowed.

'Dang, he must have a lot of eyebrow muscles, huh?'

"Who are you?" He asked again, putting a bit more emphasis on his words.

'What are you? The smoking wonderland caterpillar?'

"(Y/N)" You dryly replied to him.

"(Y/N) what?" He pressed.

You gave a bearly audible groan, "(L/N)", you replied.

The man before you hummed, "I haven't heard of your family name."

"And?"

"So what are you doing here?" His tone grew more and more gravelly the more he spoke.

"Why should I tell you that?"

He was visibly getting more irritated. His usual scowl crunching up even more.

"Who are you?" You asked.

That question threw him off. Now that you got a good look at him, he did look a tad bit familiar, but you wouldn't admit that to him. It was obvious how much he craved attention, so you were just gonna give as little of it as possible to him.

Hey, he was slowly getting on your nerves, so why not at least do the same?

"Atlas August."

You just stared at him for at most a second, hummed, and grabbed your phone. It was quiet after that.

"I'm sure you've heard of me?" He pressed his tone tense.

"Doesn't ring many bells, sir." You lied. Yes, you've heard of him here and there. He was the face of a make-up, fashion brand that you couldn't bother to remember the name of. But that was all you knew and you weren't gonna give him the satisfaction of even knowing his identity.

His scowl hardened once again, but quickly softened, "Well, at least you know of a somewhat proper way to address me." He sighed.

"I use the terms 'Sir' and 'ma'am' as derogatory terms," You didn't even spare him a slight glance as you smirked. People like him were so easy, "Sir."

He gave a slight growl before emitting a dry chuckle as he bent down to your sitting level, "You think you're so funny."

"I'm a damn comedian, thank you!" You laughed right at his pretty face, which only served to irritate him even more.

"How the hell did the school think it was a good idea to let some nobody attend?" He growled.

"Better a nobody like me, than a sorry insecure toddler like you."

His hand shot towards your chair, making it tip downwards. If he let go, you would've had to fall hard with the wood painfully poking at your back.

"Who do you think you are!?" He almost screamed.

Startled, you kicked him off you. The sudden cornering, along with his little tantrum, flipped your fight or flight.
He stared down at the dusty footprint that decorated the school uniform vest he wore. His gaze would switch between you and the footprint he now wore.

With a heavy sigh, he dusted off the dirt from your shoe that stained his uniform.

Tired of his shit, you gathered your things again and decided to see if Hiro's class would allow you to crash it for a bit. But before you could get one step down the stairs, you heard Atlas quickly say something.

"I..." He paused, "I think we got off on the wrong foot."

'The hell is up with this guy?'

You sighed, "Gee, really?"

He cleared his throat, "Next time we meet," Funny he thinks you'll actually try to see him again after this, "Let's try again."

You were hesitant to answer. You wanted to deny his request just to spite him, but you were also worried that if you do, then your year would just be so much harder and more drama filled than needed.

"Fine," You say, "But that doesn't mean I'll take any shit from you."

He rolled his eyes, "Whatever makes you happy."

After that, you left.

Atlas gave a heavy groan through his throat before he plopped down on what used to be your seat before leaving.

He wasn't afraid to admit that he liked it when others fawned over him. It was what he was used to. He needed to be wanted. And the students here definitely seemed to adore him. So why was he so hung up on just one little nobody ignoring him?

It was likely that they wouldn't even speak to each other again. The school was huge! You couldn't keep running into some stranger unless you made the effort of looking for them. So why when he told you his request to start over, was he so sure you'd just run into each other again?

He shrugged it off. It wasn't that important. Atlas was certain he would get over today's events soon and forget all about the student named (Y/N) (L/N).

He did find your laugh and smile nice though. But hated that it looked too condescending towards the man.

He quickly shook off the thought of anything endearing about you.

'I need a drink' he thought right before the bell rung.