short story

    Wake up to a dark room, and a bright screen. Same as to what I fell asleep to. The fan of my xbox overheating acts as my alarm. My clock reads 12:62. Wait. 12:82? Nevermind, 12:26. My eyes always need time to wake up. It only takes a couple minutes though so I don't really care. I lift my blind next to my bed and, Instant flash bang, bright white light completely taking over my eye sight. I quickly drop the curtain and close my eyes as I turn my head in relief. At least I know I'm still seeing normal. There's always an outfit prepared the day before. I prepare to stand up, not too quickly or else I get dizzy. But I don't get up until I feel pressure against my toes and heals. Up I go. My legs didn't quiver this time, and it's never cold in my room, so I don't really know why that ever happens. I reach for my pants on the chair my clothes are set up on, and I end up on the ground. It felt as if the fall was in slow motion, and I could feel every second of air span, but I didn't realize I fell until I was already on the ground. My face and the whole front side of my body are now on the ground. The trash can filled with throw up from the past couple of nights was three inches away from where I landed. Thank god I didn't tip it over, cus then I would have to shower. I rest in this spot for a little cus it kinda feels good. The pressure on my knees are gone. I force myself up by setting up in a pushup position and push. My elbows, triceps, and back shake the whole way until I release. The smell of the trash sticks to me until I put my hoodie on, blowing away the stinky smell to the other side of the room. I walk over to the window to ventilate the thick air taking over my room. I felt it this time, so it didn't seem like a big deal. My phone is already in my pocket somehow, but my wallet and car keys are lost in my blanket. I sigh, prepare myself to wave my blanket up and down until they decide to show themselves. The first wave is heavy, the second one isn't too bad and the third one is when my wallet jumps out to my chest and my keys fly to the floor. I quickly grab my wallet and pick my keys up. I turn my xbox off and leave.

      I'm never hungry in the morning so I just bring water. I pickup my weightless water bottle from the kitchen counter and rush out the door. Jogging to my cold car I hurry to sit, close the door and turn on the ignition, I crank the heater to max power and stay as still as possible. I'm falling asleep in the car before even leaving, the hot air gradually filling up the car warms my neck resting on my upper back, my eyes half open looking out the foggy window. I blink, but I keep my eyes closed. I lift my head back up to check the time and the dash reads 1:33. I gasp, “Move, move, move!” I yell to myself. 

      The drive to school is always quiet, I never listen to the music, and all I ever hear is the blood rushing in my head. All that goes away as I approach the school building. Now all I hear are my thoughts. What's Santea gonna do today? Is he gonna pull my hoodie back, or is he gonna push my back, or make me trip on myself. Slowly creeping in my car not wanting to park I end up finding a hidden spot in the corner. I turn the key to silence. A different silence from before. Real silence. Silence breaks when I open my door, a cold breeze slipping through, breaking the heat. A tornado forms in my head. My vitamins are kicking in. 

      The whole walk to the front door is quick. Everything from here on out is quick. Class, Class, Class, Gym. The only interaction I have with Santea. There he is, walking behind me. I can't see anything, but the backpacks in front of me moving up and down, side to side, bumping into each other, scraping, making these cool sounds like zippers, but zippers aren't really that accurate. I can't really make up the sound due to all of the steps. But now, HIS steps are all I hear. 10 feet away. Five, three, My body flies to the lockers to my left. My head spins. 

      “Well shi***t.” I turned my head towards where I was pushed from, one eye covered from my hoodie and the other seeing his big chest, baggy shirt with a picture of a guitar he always wears, and barnacles spread out like ants. My eyes look up, his face, smirking, angry eyebrows, half his teeth showing, eyes slightly squinting. Different face from all the other times.I see his mouth move, but I don't know what he's saying, all I hear is murmuring. “Mut is u whut Santea”. I really just said the most stupid thing ever. That wasn't even a real sentence. He doesn't say anything, just looks confused. I repeat myself, “What do you want, Santea”. My voice quivers this time, but I said real words at least.  

      “Give me some lunch money, I got a date with this super fine chick” Santea says. I smile, actually smile. I shove his hand off my shoulder, turn my body, and now I can really see him. I can still only see him, I don't know who is around me but I can really see him face to face in my room.    

      “What do you think I am, your mom? I don't owe you anything, nor do I have to listen to anything you tell me.” My voice comes to life for a second. Santea makes no facial gestures, just a straight, plain face, that's the face I know. 

      “Just like 20, come on”. 

      I get straight to the point, “Stop doing this Santea, you know that. “So back off, or I'm going to report you”. He looks confused, and angry.

      “Oh so you're a snitch now huh, did you tell mommy and daddy that you were a little wuss that can't defend himself”. 

      “No Santea, I'm just sick of you ruining my day, you do nothing helpful ever, and you make me feel worse everyday.” I don't want to take all my feelings out right now in school, but what else would he listen to? 

      “What are you gonna do then? Fight me? Come on! Hit me”. He says that with his face right in front of mine, smacking his cheek. 

      “I'm not gonna touch you Santea.” I say calmly. “I just need you to know that I'm not putting up with this anymore.” I couldn't beat him if I was being honest, even with his face wide open in front of mine. All that would happen is me on the ground, just like this morning, only unconscious, and with even worse brain damage. “I can't fight you, we both know how that would end, but we could 1v1 on fortnite tonight”. His face scrunches in confusion, and he bursts out laughing. I stand there, still, my eyes tracking him side to side, up and down in laughter. He quickly silences, and he looks at me. 

      “You know you can't beat me in anything Jose, it's just how it is, but feel free to send me an invite, don't chicken out”. He knew I was scared of a lot of things, and I would never be the one that talks, I just like to watch. But this was different, I knew I was better, and I wouldn't lose anything out of this. 

      “Ok”. I turn back the way I was going before our altercation, my mind feels clear now, I hear his leg try to trip me, but he was too slow, and he didn't even try to redeem himself. He just let it happen. Nothing was said, nothing else happened. I went to class, my mind went back to its dizzy world after a couple minutes, but it went away after gym. Everything after that was quick, or maybe I just forgot. But I drive home, go straight to my room, turn my xbox on to play video games till I fall asleep with my controller in my hand, But today I was more awake than ever. I had to beat Santea. I had to show him what I really am.