The Air Out Of [Wattys2018 shortlist]

03

LEO COULD NOT BE MORE SURPRISED to find an uninvited guest at his home -coincidentally two minutes prior before he was set to launch the second meeting of the small group of friends he had managed to pull from a few different schools since being labeled an outcast in his own - let alone a girl, and one he recognized.

In reality, their so-called 'friend gathering' was rather a 'misfit social point', a place to which he would imagine misfits banding together to form their own stereotypes. It was worth a shot, and he could really use some friends. It was senior year. The year to make actual memories.

Behind his black thick-rimmed glasses and a new coat of green-colored tips, dyed onto his hair - an unnecessary act of rebellion, as he likes to call it - he sees Jess Walker standing by the door, fidgeting with the edge of her flowery blouse, obviously unsure of what to say to a long lost friend. After all, their nine-year grudge was progressing into two digits in a few months time. In reality, all the bad-blood had been resolved, but being in a truce didn't exactly mean talking. It was time for a change.

In reality, Leo and Jess used to be two peas in a pod, and their ever-dying friendship was the result of Leo's stupidity or lack thereof. But the difference between the two was that Leo was once popular, and Jess was never.

Their relationship was undefinable at best. Taking unexpected twists and turns that in the end, had them both walking out of their friendship hurt. She hung her head low, unable to meet his eyes. He followed suit.

They had been through a lot.

Strangely enough, he found himself remembering more about their friendship in the last five minutes than the last ten years, and found a smile crawling up his face. Leo did his best to mask it, but it had already caught Jess' attention. She offered a friendly smile.

Tearing his body away from the frame of the doorway, Leo extended a hand to Jess, in attempt to motion for her to come in, which she understood instantly while giving him a small smile as she came in.

Sprawled on the floor is a student from Chiflester High - a school opposite theirs, named Scar, who was an outcast, no doubt, but yet more aspiring and optimistic than the others who had just seemingly given up on life entirely. From the floor, Scar shot him a cryptic look, Jess wouldn't be able to decipher the complicated expression. Two words: who, why?

Leo's throat constricted, he didn't know what to reply, so he asked. "Jess." He began, facing the girl who looked frailer than ever, one who opened wounds. "To what do I owe this surprise."

As soon as asked, Jess wasted no time in explaining the circumstances that had brought her to this very place, but Leo was doubtful at the sheer coincidence that had them tangled into each other, again.

Her face was unreasonable, flicking her gaze between his newfound friend and her new obsession with the floor in its absolute plain and expressionless appearance. Obviously, she didn't want to see him any more than he did.

The feeling was mutual, he wanted to tell her, before sensing her dejected personality. He didn't know what had happened, after all, they hadn't talked in a long, long while, but yet, some senses never die, and he sensed that she was completely off her game.

So, he invited her to stay.

He sighed, "Stay."

Scar's expression darkened. His eyes pointed straight into Leo's, darting questions back and forth as to why he had specifically requested this girl stay when neither they nor she had desperately wanted her to be part of the group. Leo knowingly diverted his gaze to Jess, who now sat on the ground.

He could only imagine what she was thinking, maybe she was eyeing the contrasting difference between the antique outer appearance and modernized and high-tech interior. Or analyzing how the wooden paneling masterfully hid wires through its unique paneling style. Either way, she was doing a good job of breaking eye-contact.

Scar shot her an expressionless gaze, meaning in Leo's telepathic sixth sense, he was beyond furious in any way possible. Scar's eyes seared through her like a full computer analysis.

The atmosphere was quiet. Jess and Leo weren't sure of what to say to one another given the presence of Scar, and anything Scar had to say at this very moment was being shot through bullets from his eyes.

Fortunately for the trio of outcasts, there was a fourth who jerked the door open in one swift movement. It was a guy, obviously. But unlike the others, he was tanned, and dripping wet. In one hand, he had his arm draped over the diameter of a surfboard, simultaneously dragging it inwards whilst humming. His other hand was the one responsible for such a boisterous noise.

His back faced the group as he continued his path without any form of acknowledgment until, of course, his surfboard had been carefully placed face down on the tiles and was completely out of the way of everyone.

He turned to them, face amused. "I see we have a girl."

Leo was completely unprepared for this remark, shrugging in the process. He hadn't really understood why he casually decided to ask Jess to stay. Maybe it was because it was an outcast meeting, and technically she was an outcast. Just a coincidental, uninvited one.

Jess was the first to put her foot down shooting a multitude of glares around the room. From the floor, her glare sent chills down Leo's back, much to his surprise. "Oh. My. God." She snaps angrily. "I just got lost, if you would just show me to the main road, we could easily get past the formalities and I'll be gone in no time." Slowly, she steadied her breathing, "Please."

The boys had quickly exchanged yet another look, participating in almost the most silent but meaningful debate that has ever occurred.

Leo's eyes blazed through Scar's, taunting him. Though Jess and he were in a complicated situation, the silver line between peace and war, a friend always had your back. Even when some things don't go your way. Finally, Scar sighed and Louis shot him a victorious smile.

"I'm Scar." Scar broke the silence, being the first to speak and explain what exactly was happening at that moment, "It's simple, really. We're a group of outcasts. We hang out, mess around, but we stay united." he paused. "It's our attempt at being normal. For once."

Surf boy introduced himself, nodding in Jess' direction, darting his gaze shyly to the ground. He had subtly stuck his hand out and met her eyes, "Louis."

Leo smiles, closing the circle sitting in between Jess and Louis. "You're probably not adamant about joining, but regardless, welcome to the squad."

--

CHAPTER THREE

Oof, we have our first interaction, who's loving Jess so far? So, I think I'm going to do alternate character perspectives, just to spice up the story a little. It's going to be a per chapter change, getting into the characters already.

Anyways, comment what you think

Soph