Paxton Flynn

"Faster. Faster, uh, yeah!"

I cheered for myself as I managed to go between two cars without getting into some kind of accident. I could have waited for the cars to pass by first but that would mean getting to homeroom one minute before the teacher. I can't have that on my personal record. I've got to be at least three minutes early.

"Goodbye, suckers." I said to the two cars, the drivers completely obviously of the competition we just had. However, when I turned back ahead, I saw myself running right into a tree.

"Whoa whoa," I said placing my foot on the floor and putting a stop to the movement on my bike, just in time before the tree murders me.

I couldn't be late, I had a record to uphold. I had to be at least three minutes earlier than the homeroom teacher.

With that on my mind, I didn't delay anymore, as I hurriedly parked my bicycle and ran into the school, sputtering out all the apologies I could remember. I ran into the homeroom class like a crazy person and just when I was about to do some triumphant air fist bump, my leg caught unto something on the ground and I tripped falling face down to earth.

I got up with a groan glaring at the bag. "I'm so so sorry." Some girl sincerely apologized picking up her bag.

I sighed nodding and walking towards my seat. Some students were laughing and others saying colourful words like 'fag' 'dweeb' etcetera. And some others high fived me as they laughed finding my klutzy self entertaining. I settled down on my seat with a smile.

That's the normal for Paxton Flynn, the nerdy boy that's gay. Some people love me, cox I'm intelligent and they love gays, mostly the girls. Others hate me, cox I'm lame -- in their terms-- and being gay is an abomination -- in their own big world -- mostly the jocks. While others couldn't careless, whether gay, bi, pan, asexual, they didn't mind and are friends with me.

"Nice show Pax," Ryder said nudging my side as I sat down close to her.

I face palmed, "I'm a walking embarrassment."

"You mean entertainment?" She asked.

I rolled my eyes, "thanks a lot, best friend."

"You love me tho." She said and she was right. Ryder Tracey was among the few people I loved on this messed up world. And no her first name isn't Tracey, it's Ryder. Yes, Tracey's the family name.

-*-*-*-

First class was Maths, how perfect. No better time to learn maths than early in the morning when our brains are still very much active. Well, at least mine.

"You can't be dozing off during first period." I said shoving Ryder.

Her eyes popped open and she caught herself before she fell off. "Quit it, Paxton. I'm having a fever."

"Um, no you don't." I answered her looking up to make sure Mr Waller wasn't watching, he wasn't.

"I get fever anytime I start hearing walls talk. Especially if its maths, that's practically a fever awakener." Ryder explained.

I rolled my eyes, "Well. The wall is saying things that will help you when you go into arm robbery in less than eight years time just because no one would hire an airhead."

"I'll listen two weeks to exams." She said placing her head back on the table.

I was about to poke her awake again but my arm froze mid air as my eyes zoomed in on the human specimen walking through the door.

Sebastian Crown.

He was later than usual but as calm as ever. His arms were stuck in his pockets as he strode into the class, hair and clothes — everything from top to bottom looking as perfect as ever. How does he do it?

"Mr Crown, you're late." Mr Waller says looking away from the board, where he was scribbling gibberish –according to Ryder.

"I am." He says eyes roaming over the class as he lips worked, chewing on something. Girls were swooning, guys were steaming. I, I was staring. Then his eyes landed on me.

I practically choked on spit. For the first time ever those beautiful blue gray eyes were on me. Why? I soon got my answer. His eyes shifted from me to the seat beside me, by the window.

Oh no.

"Take a seat Sebastian and get to work." Mr Waller said. Sebastian nodded and started making his way towards me. Me! "And please stop chewing gum."

"Yes, Sir." He answered, then blew out the bubblegum, chewing it back before it popped out loud. He walked to me and crossed over, settling down in the seat right next to me, by the window.

A sheen of sweat started making their presence known on my forehead. I wasn't afraid, I was nervous. I've never sat close to or even walked beside or made eye contact or been within five feet of Sebastian crown for the while three months he has been in this school.

And that's because I had a huge mega super crush on him. A really big one that turned my brain to mush and my mouth a lose cannon as my heart raced. I was completely whipped up by Sebastian and he didn't even know my name. So I avoided him. I made sure we never crossed paths because having a crush like that wasn't good for my health or grades.

"Ryder." I whispered but my idiot best friend was still 'sleeping'. "Ryder open your stupid eyes." I threw my pen cover at her and she sat up with glare.

I gulped, her glare was scary. "Switch with me."

She raised her brow up and then leaned a bit to see why I wanted to switch. Her lips shaped into a smirk. "And why is that?"

If looks could kill, she would be sizzling bacon by now. "You know why Ry, please."

"I think you should stop running away and bond. This is the perfect opportunity." She said gesturing to I and Sebastian. My eyes widened at her.

"Seriously?" I hissed, turning over to look at Sebastian. He was relaxed on the seat, pen dangling  on paper. He didn't notice Ryder's not so subtle gesture. I glared back at Ry, "Switching or not?"

She just smirked wiggling her brows. I sighed and turned behind her. "Janey, wanna switch with me?"

She saw my seatmate and her eyes glinted. "Hell yeah."

I stuck my tongue out to Ryder who gave me a deflated look. I packed up my things and switched with an eager Janey. As soon as I sat behind Ryder, I noticed Sebastian turn to me. He looked at me for a second before blowing a bubble in my direction and turning back to class.

That's another reason why I can't sit with him, I find continuous chewing of a gum annoying. And the bubble blowing too. Ugh.

I sighed freely turning back to my book, "where were we?"

Paxton Flynn

"Is the meatloaf good?" Ryder asked.

"I'm not talking to you." I answered her walking to our seat. She reached for my food and I almost forked her fingers.

"Oh come on, just because I didn't switch with you?" She asked.

"Yes." I answered sitting down on the seat. We weren't the only ones in the seat. There were a few other friends but only three of us here really talked and were close.

"Hey Landon," I greeted shaking hands with him and waving at the others.

"What's up bro?"

"Phew thank God you didn't say 'bra' I don't understand that slang at all. And what's up? Ask Ryder." I threw her a stink eye as she sat down too.

"Landon can you believe Pax's not talking to me because I refused to switch seats with him when Sebastian Crown sat beside him." Ryder blabbed.

Landon's eyes widened, "you sat next to Crown?"

"Yeah, for five minutes. I switched with Janey."

Landon pat my back as reward, then turned to Ryder. "That was cruel Ry, do you have any idea how Paxton gets in front of a crush?"

Ryder rolled her eyes biting off her homemade sandwich. "Sebastian might be different. Pax has to get courage."

"Um I'm right here." I pointed out glaring at her, "and Sebastian is not gay."

"Debatable." Landon and Ryder say at the same time.

"I've never seen him with a girl." Landon said.

"Me neither." Ry added.

"I've never seen him with a guy either." I said and they shut up for some time until Ryder found what to say.

"You're gay and I've never seen you with a guy in school."

I glared at her. "Sebastian is not gay. I would know if he was. Gaydar sense."

"Isn't having feelings enough gaydar?" Landon asked no one in particular, picking on his veggies and avoiding my eyes.

"No. These are just misplaced feelings. It would go away as long as I continue to avoid him." I say fixing my eyes on Ryder.

"Whatever, you're so boring." Ryder waved me off, turning to Stephanie who was sitting beside her.

I rolled my eyes and started eating my lunch. My two best friends don't understand a thing. I don't think they know the pain of unrequited feelings. They keep encouraging me to own up to my feelings and Ryder has this weird idea that Sebastian and I were meant to be even when we haven't ever exchange more than two words. And he's not gay!

Having feelings for a straight guy is the worst thing ever. Too bad I'm not lucky enough. Yes, we've never seen him with a girl or guy ever since he appeared to this school but he's different from the rest. Really really good looking, amazing body, impeccable fashion.

He's quiet, always on his own. He hasn't made any friends even though he has been approached by many. When girls flock around him, he just gives them a deathly glare that has them running and shaking. He's in the sport team, as punishment from the principal. He has this I don't care attitude and because of this many have labelled him a rebel. And oh he always always chews on a bubblegum. Always. And its annoying.

So he's not gay. Period.

-*-*-*-

"Pax, you have to sit with me in chem class." Ryder says linking our arms and giving me the puppy dog's eyes.

"No, Pax sitting with me." Landon says putting his hand around my shoulder and pulling me to him. Landon's the tallest of us three at 5"9. I was at 5"4 I know, for a guy, I'm pretty short.

"Stop." I freed my myself from them both brushing my brown hair back to place. "Why do you both want to sit with me?"

"Cause Mr Stuart said something about grouping today. I suck at Chem and its best if we group together." Ryder explained.

"Best for who?"

"For me of course, who else?" She says and I'm like 'ooo of course'.

"Pax should sit with me. I suck too." Landon said.

"I suck, have you seen my grades? I don't want to be held back in junior year all because of fucking chemistry."

Landon and I winced at her cuss and she dramatically rolled her eyes.

"Guys, I sit alone and that won't change now. Project or not." I said as we entered into Chemistry class.

"Please?" They both pleaded and I still refused. "This is my future Pax." Ryder pleaded.

"This is my payback Ry." I said to her sticking my tongue out. She gaped at me before huffing and walking to her seat.

I walked to mine too. At the window, the only sit not conjoined with another. Its not really payback, I lied to her and she knows it. I prefer to work alone, I'm practically a genius so walking alone doesn't create any kind of problem. I'll rather not argue with someone or mess up my chemicals. Alone, its faster, easier and a lot more neater.

"Take a seat, look around you and call anyone who's absent." Mr Stuart says marching into the class. He's was once a cadet, or something like that. He always behaves like he's still in the army.

I looked behind me and in front of me, my neighbors are all present.

"Lizzie White." Some girl shouted.

"Sebastian Crown." Another girl followed suit. Just then a red hair rushed into the class identifying herself as Lizzie White.

Mr Stuart asked if anybody had an idea on the whereabouts of Sebastian but got no answer. He turned to the board writing and muttering things about discipline. Just when the class was about to start, Sebastian showed up, looking as calm and relaxed as ever.

"You better not be chewing anything young man and please hurry, time waits for no one." Mr Stuart ordered but Sebastian took no heed of it, he walked as usual to his seat and sat down quietly. At least he made an effort to stop chewing for the time being. Teachers were scared of Mr Stuart talk more of him.

"So as I announced the previous class, I've created a sitting chart." He said opening his file and producing a paper more dangerous than normal paper. He showed it to us. "Your seat mate would be your partner for everything as long as you both are in my class and you both would practically be one. Whatever happens to one, happens to another, this applies with scores, rewards and punishments."

I gulped, he looked really serious about this. The whole class was pin drop silent, nobody dared make a noise.

"This chart is not to be violated at all and it applies till the end of your stay as juniors in my class. Understood?" He asked raising a grey brow.

"Yes sir."

"Good now, stand at attention as I call out the chart." Whether he meant that or not, I stood at attention.

"Landon Mitch and Caroline Olson." He called and I turned to Lan, he placed a hand on his chest and sighed in relief. Caroline is one of the few girls in this school who are both beautiful and smart. Landon winked at me, stuck his tongue out at Ry before moving over to his new seat.

Mr Stuart called many other names but I only listened when Ryder's name was called. "Ryder Tracey and Pamela Austin." Landon coughed from his seat earning a glare. While I sent her a sorry look. Pamela is among the Gothic group in school. Black pixie cut hair with red and purple streaks, black lip gloss, black everything. Not that we had a thing against the goth group but Pamela and Ryder are enemies. Literal ones.

I felt sorry for Ryder, although in terms of brilliance I'd say they are practically on the same boat. Ryder being stuck with an enemy didn't seem to be so bad anymore after I heard the next names called.

"Sebastian Crown and Paxton Flynn."

Sebastian Crown

Another boring day in a really boring school. And I know that every student see school as boring but this is not the case. This school is really boring. Like boring boring.

Nothing exciting or interesting, everything and everyone were just meh. Teachers forming to know all and trying to be controlling as if teaching determines how much stamina you have in bed.

Students sticking theirselves into labels and clichés because if there's a little change the world would turn upside down and everybody's head would change position. Ugh, it's annoying.

My former school was not so different but my friends were. We were exciting, the bomb even. But my stuck up father couldn't take it anymore. The camels back broke when he found out that we redecorated the principals office. It wasn't even a big offense and we were helping the poor man. How can he not suffer from stroke when he's stuck in the same thing, and same colour for more than twenty years.

Red.

Everything in the poor man's office was red. Of all colours and he was really annoying and since we were sent into the office most of the day, we redecorated it. Sure, he had a mini heart attack after but I'm sure he secretly liked the change. After that, Dad bundled me, my mum and four sisters sending us over here to live a 'normal' life. Normal my ass.

My eyes focused on the wannabe military man that called himself a chemistry teacher. He was probably kicked out of the military school and is now stuck in a small town, small school, living the dream. I wonder what will happen if I just crow out loud like a hen. I smiled to myself, he's reaction would be worth it but my dad's own won't be.

I mentally tsked at him, rolling my eyes. What difference does a sitting chart make to the world? Without it, everybody was sitting at wherever they pleased. Grouped with whoever. We still learnt the same thing and whether this chart exist or not, many of us aren't going to carry whatever we learn here to the university environment. Its ends here, after the stupid gate.

Without the chart, students still grouped and scored the same marks. At least then some students worked with their friends and probably had fun in this fated boring class. Now he was separating friends and putting a frown on people's faces. The worst part is that, it won't last. Before this week runs out, many people must have bonded with their partners forming another friendship.

The only thing I see him succeeding in doing is creating a moody, argument filled class for at most two weeks and we probably won't learn anything. Because we're too busy trying to understand or piss off our new partners.

Its all part of the I want to make a difference bullshit. He isn't the first to come up with a sitting chart and watch it fail its purpose and he wouldn't be the last. Just teach, give your assignments and let your students live in peace. How hard is that?

"Sebastian Crown," I peaked up at the mention of my name. "And Paxton Flynn."

Who the hell is Paxton Flynn and what kind of name is that? Sounds preppy. Let me guess. Its either an insufferable jock or incorrigible nerd. Worst, both.

"Sir?" My eyes turned to the little guy by the corner who spoke and I recognized him instantly. Its the guy from maths class. The good looking guy.

Don't get me wrong I didn't recognize him only because he's good looking, I recognized him because he is good looking and different. I thought coming to this school would at least stop people especially the girls from fawning over me but no it didn't. They still did. Everywhere. I got people looking at me, talking to me, winking at me, jumping to sit with me. Its flattering but tiring. I know so many people would love that but I don't. I really just want to be on my own.

So my point is, only this little guy for the first time in history didn't want to sit with me. And it's not because I kissed his girlfriend or broke his nose. I don't think we've even meet before. I would surely remember a face like that. He didn't want to sit with me and after some girl refused to switch, he switched with another girl that freaked me out all through maths class. That single act made him interesting.

"You didn't hear me Mr Flynn?" The boy nodded. "I said your seat mate is Sebastian Crown. Now switch seats immediately."

"But Sir," he started and I paused from packing my bag, narrowing my eyes at him curiously. "I-I work alone. I've always worked alone, I don't need a partner."

Wannabe solider narrowed his eyes at him, not liking the interruption one bit. "You'll work better with a partner and you have one now whether you like or not."

"Put then we'll be uneven." He spoke out desperately and I smirked, he's got guts. And he really doesn't like me.

The teacher crossed his hands, daring him to come up with another excuse as he replied. "We've got a transfer student. We are uneven with you working alone."

He looked around desperately and when our eyes met, I winked. He turned back to the teacher red and looking like he is close to a panic attack. "Then can't it be another person?"

"No Mr Flynn, go to your seat or give up this class right away." The teacher barked marking an end to the excuses. I picked up my bag and moved to the assigned seat. Soon the little guy joined me.

I think I could hear his heart beating, I'm not completely sure. He was looking at everywhere else but me. What's with him? I chewed on my gum and blew it. He winced. And I smirked. Something tells me I'm gonna start looking forward to chemistry classes.

"Um... Hi, I'm Paxton Flynn." He introduced finally breaking and tired of the silence.

"I know. Cool name." I said turning to look down at him. He wasn't so short but at 6" I was taller.

"T-Thanks. Your name is cool too. S-Suits you." He stuttered.

"I know." I replied and he gulped deciding to remain silent.

A minute later.

"So Chemistry eh? Do you love this subject or what? I mean what's not to like, its mixing chemicals and all. Magical." He said nodding with a smile. I didn't respond.

"My other seat by the window, from where I use to work alone, it's really airy and sometimes when I'm working--"

Oh, I know now. He's the I'm nervous, I can't shut up guy. I wonder what's to be nervous about. Its not as if I've ever murdered someone.

Not yet.