Chapter 1- perfect 

Matt

It all started on the first day of middle school. When he smiled at me from across the room.

I didn’t smile back.

I stand outside my new classroom for the year, praying that as soon as I walk through the door I'm not met with the stupid, beautiful, sparkling blue eyes of Soren Winters. My fingers grip the cool, metal door handle and force the door open into the chaotic classroom full of excited teenagers.

 My eyes do a quick once-over of the students and God must hate me (I wonder why) because sitting on a desk near the front, surrounded by his many, many friends laughing at some dumb joke was none other than Soren. he’s not looking at me but I glowered at his perfect smile before making my way to the back corner seat, where I always sit.

 People always avoid the surrounding seats as much as they can. It’s not like I'm gonna beat anyone up. Without a good reason anyway. 

I don’t hate Soren because he bullies me or anything, he’s actually a great guy, which is why I hate him so much. He’s perfect. Actually, the word perfect is doing him injustice, but it also just fits him really well. 

Perfect grades

Perfect looks

Perfect personality

Perfect voice

Everything about him. 

There aren’t many people who get straight A’s in every class and are great at sports. Not many at all. At least that I've met.

Everyone praises his looks like he’s an ethereal beauty. They’re a lot more feminine from typical male beauty standards though, with his tiny, yet fit frame, his fluffy brown hair. those eyes that are like actual crystals and his smooth not too pale skin. 

He’s always so nice and happy around other people and actually funny, and something that's just him that makes everyone love him.

He has the voice of an angel when he laughs or giggles cutely, It's the only sound anyone can hear for weeks. I haven’t heard him sing before but I would bet that it would be the most ear-blessing thing.

And yeah, that description of my sworn-enemy sounded pretty gay, but I will admit I am kinda attracted to him, but so is literally everyone else! And just because I'm attracted to him doesn’t mean I don’t hate him.

The people Soren hangs out with though, his friends? Not so perfect.

There’s Chris, who’s alright, and the girls but then there’s Bruce, Mike and Robbie who are absolute assholes. 

They like to bully and pick on younger and or “different” kids. They leave me alone mostly, because they fully know that I’d beat the shit out of them if they laid a finger on me. They do occasionally throw the harsh insult here and there (from a safe distance of course) as they walk by. It makes me wonder sometimes if Soren knows about his friend's antics. If he did that wouldn’t exactly be perfect behavior. He probably doesn’t, too high up on his pedestal of optimism to see the bullying around him. 

When the bell rings signaling the end of class, I get up from the uncomfortable wooden chair and start making my way past the big group near the front. I notice a purposely out of place foot, trying to trip me, I huff and make a point of stepping over the foot, glaring at Mike who laughed.

“Aww, come on, was just a little trip.” I hate the way he speaks. 

“Pathetic.” is the only word that I mutter at him, Soren cocks his head to the side and looks at me smirking playfully. 

“Yeah, Matt, it was just a joke.” His voice is teasing me and I see the fire in his eyes that’s reserved especially for me.

 I know he wouldn’t intentionally hurt me, that would be too devilish of an act for an angel. But I know I’m like the only person he openly dislikes, which makes me special. I know that a lot of people at this school would jump at the chance to take my place, to be noticed by Soren. 

I look into his shiny eyes for a few seconds, heated gaze matched before walking out of the room. 

Soren

I look myself dead in the eye through the mirror, watching the tears slowly fall down my cheeks from my peripheral vision. 

This year will be fine. It won’t be any different and you can get through it with no drama. 

I close my eyes and focus on my breathing.

Inhale…

Exhale…

A loud knock on the bathroom door makes me jump, I turn around to see my sister slowly opening the door, the sly look on her face drops when she notices my red eyes and shaken demeanor. 

“All good now?” she asks, a comforting smile gracing her lips.

I just sniff and nod in return, she takes it as a sign to continue.

“Chris is here, I packed your lunch for you.” Instead of spouting a snarky comeback about being able to do it myself, I really couldn’t today and I’m really grateful for her, I rest my forehead on her shoulder in a half-assed embrace, she wraps her arms around me,squeezing me tightly before sending me down to Chris.

My mood brightens slightly as soon as I see the tall boy waiting at the end of my drive-way. 

“Good thing you’re a pretty crier.” was the first thing he said to me.

I narrow my eyes at him and hit him lightly.

“Shut up.” it did make me laugh though, even if it was just a little. His hand makes its way to mine, comfortably holding onto me in support. Chris has been through almost everything with me and been my best friend through all of it, even the bad parts. If anyone was gonna get me through this year without me going insane it was gonna be him. Just like every other year.