Exasperating character

"Oh thanks man, I owe you. Both you and Vior now it seems" Jonathan smiles casually as he takes the hot waffles from Styles' hands. I wonder what Jon thinks of Styles, I mean it was made clear earlier to me that Styles is only using Jonathan for his own safety, or perhaps an insurance against people like Beverly but what about Jonathan?

Soon break was over and then arrived our next subject teacher, from the schedule it seems she teaches math. She came forward and introduced herself as Melanie Roberts then gave us a quick introduction of herself. Ms. Roberts was unlike Sir Hadensburg in every way, she spoke with passion for her subject and went on to talk about the amazing feats math has allowed us to reach, she was like the bright sun and Sir Hadensburg, the mellow moon, I can't help but think they're perfect for each other and I'm not the only one it seems because someone else voiced that towards the whole class.

"Ms. Roberts you should date Sir Hadensburg! You seem perfect for each other" To this Roberts hid her flustered state and scolded the boy who voiced out his opinions then became sidetracked and is now talking about why we should wait until after we graduate before getting into a relationship, something tells me not long now she will start talking about her first love and so on.

Now then as for the guy who said that, Daniel. From what I hear his friends call him Donnie and he is a rather brash guy who always speaks his mind, now that I finish observing the top of the hierarchy namely Jon, Nadia, Beverly, and Styles. Then came the second in line, this boy is the most interesting of them all, he isn't quite notable, had I not spoken to Styles earlier then he may not have taken my attention all that much but now I notice this eccentric boy and ask myself if there's something wrong with him, or maybe it is everyone else who is wrong for choosing to hide in masks instead of being an open book like him, unfiltered and well natured.

I am only gathering this from what Styles has told me but from my observations it seems true, Donnie might seem oblivious but he is certainly a force to be reckoned with, no one has garnered more trust than he in the whole class, he is well liked even outside our class and when it came to sheer IQ, Styles tells me that despite how he may seem, Donnie is actually quite intelligent, now then how does his presence affect me? Well for one, befriending him may rise my own status as being the friend of the most trustworthy person in class but then a presence like his seeks to strip away all barriers that I so love hence I would prefer having him as an acquaintance rather than friend as it may exhaust me, upon creating pseudo barriers for him to break down and think he has understood me.

"Ah, I have been sidetracked haven't I, well then since were already out of topic perhaps I'll get to know you all a bit more, how about we start we the class president with the self- introductions then follows the vice and the rest of the officers and if we still have the time we'll go about it alphabetically"

Goddamn it Roberts why not go alphabetical from the start? Alright calm down Arvior we can do this, it's just a self-introduction how hard could it be? I'll just follow Beverly's suit.

"Very well then, greetings everyone I am as you all know Beverly Zandelier, the daughter of Mayor Zandelier, I have been the first freshman to be crowned Miss. Duvangelie and I am excellent in playing the piano…Hm what else can I say? I am currently single, tee hee I hope to be closer to you all"

Of course someone like her would enjoy introductions, its practically an excuse to go on about bragging whatever you want to, sadly for me that won't work. What can I even say? HI I'm Arvor La Gastra the adopted child of the mob boss, I have been the first freshman to perfect the exams here and I am well versed in playing almost every instrument? That just makes me seem arrogant damn it… I have no choice but to turn to self-deprecation once more I suppose, I'm walking in thin ice here after all.

"Hi classmates…I am Arvior La Gastra the son of my father… I am an officer here just to make everyone else look good in comparison…I am good at…hm,yes, I am good for nothingg…and for obvious reasons I am also single…um tee hee…"

An awkward silence then followed. "…Please kill me now…" I said embarrassed as my plan backfired but as soon as I said that quite a lot of my classmates burst out laughing. Needless to say I made a fool of myself but in the process did get a few chuckles and the whole class did laugh in my extremely awkward "Tee hee" for now I think I am out of the perilous woods; I mean how can anyone see me as a threat after that? And the queen naturally should be satisfied because my botched introduction made hers look gold in comparison. The downside is probably that I dropped a few steps in the social hierarchy but what is important now is that I survive.

Then came Glasses, now this I want to see. He stood up straight, poised and confident then he spoke but first he coughed as if adjusting his register then he began without delay." I am Atlas Libran, for privacy reasons I shall not be revealing either parent's livelihood and as for my skills and talents, other than my unmatched IQ, I have only my expertise in archery to offer. I hope to get along with you all" He then bowed curtly in a knightly fashion then took his seat.

Atlas is by the very definition of it a competent man. He was calm and collected but his demeanor was both intimidating and consoling like that of an officer which both gives the sense of danger and security at the same time, my impressions of him was natural affected by my first encounter of him but whether positively or negatively only time will tell, I am of course to add that a just figure like him would prove well in controlling the explosive impulses of the bosses of our class, if only he won the election though.

Next came Pigtails, to hers was the least of attention as the interesting people, namely Atlas and Beverly have been over with, oh how I wished I was in her position instead. She was unaffected by loss of the interested audience however and continued to introduce herself in an unaffected manner barely looking at anyone other than her friends which were quite eager to hear her talk.

"I am Czarina- "Before Czarina could continue Ms. Roberts exclaimed saying that she was late for her next class and that we would have to continue the introductions next time and with that she hastily left, but some of her papers fell from her rush, clumsy too huh? Why does that seem fitting for her.

She was about to pick it up herself but our next teacher was kind enough to help her without saying a word of insult to her. He was unlike every other teacher I have seen before as his countenance and agreeability was obviously superior to any other in the school, even the charismatic principal. He seemed to be the same age as Mr. Hadensburg but the only tell was his young looking handsome face because both his tall and fit build as well as the sense of portraying himself seemed to make him much more mature.

Quite a bit of our classmates then teased playfully at this almost romcom seeming encounter between the two teachers and Ms. Roberts could not help but blush as she hurried away leaving us with Mister Perfect Man.

He soon introduced himself as Nelson Dundal, our music teacher. It was a fitting subject for him for his voice was even more pleasant than Hadensburg's baritone register. His was well polished and as he sampled his singing, some girls shrieked in amazement. He certainly wasn't lacking in motivation or control and as it seems, most of my classmates preferred him to the gloomy Hadensburg. To that Dundal only laughed and spoke highly of his colleague and soon after continued his lecture of the composers that became the key figures of the Medieval Period and the Renaissance.

Time went by quickly as we were engrossed in his story telling which by then showed that the class was over, leaving most of us satisfied with Mr. Dundal as our teacher. As my eyes wandered however it seemed the key figures of our class weren't paying much attention as Nadia was gently chatting with her friends, Beverly was retouching her make-up, Styles was looking at himself at the mirror, and Jon was fast asleep. Perhaps this was to be expected when the teacher was as lax as Dundal, he didn't even care that there were those who weren't listening or that Atlas was the only one who bothered noting down what he was saying.

When the bell rang signifying the end of our class, Jon woke up from his slumber and was the first to get out but first he turned his head which Styles as well as Nadia's group reacted to without much hassle and they too followed. I wondered if I should follow them but resolved that I shouln't be too assuming I gathered my things slowly as to time it perfectly with the exit of most of my classmates. I was relieved to see that Jon and the others waited for me and as I came to them we walked out of school together, to a café apparently.

They talked on rather cheerily as Nadia's two other friends, Lucy and Mina went on flirting with Styles or talking about fashion trends. Nadia and Jon seemed to be rather close as they talked on together while I was left to myself lagging slightly a bit as to not get too awkward that I wasn't talking to anybody, although soon Jon caught on and included me to their talk. I kind of felt like a third wheel however.

"So Vior, how'd you like your first day? The teachers are pretty boring huh?"

"No not really, I mean Sir Dundal was fairly interesting"

"So you're interested in music huh Arvior?" Nadia asked me with a kind smile in her face.

"Um…I guess so" The conversation was slowly turning towards an awkward pause but Jon is a master of conversation and naturally he wouldn't allow such instances.

"You should follow Vior's example Nad, your piano teacher might scold you less you showed even the slightest interest"

"Agh, don't remind me… I barely have time after my photoshoots as it is"

"Photoshoots?" I thought I needed to contribute so I asked a bit.

"Ah yes for the new lipstick you're featuring huh?" Jon ignored me as if engrossed by Nadia.

"Yeah, it's really tough finding the perfect pose you know"

"Wait so you're really a model?" I exclaimed in both an attempt to gain their attention and to act as should be expected of me.

The attention I garnered was that of the flirtatious trio however and they soon joined us in our conversation.

"Oh are you talking about that new lipstick you're featuring Nadie? Eek I'm so excited to see my friend in the magazine"

"I mean is it really counted even though she's modelling her own family's company?"

"How rude" Nadia puffed her cheeks as she gently pushed Jon to which he looked away slightly flustered.

"I shouldn't be surprised I suppose, someone with Nadia's looks and figure would definitely make a good model" I commented to which the rest only chuckled at.

"Dude you sound like one of those old guys who sitting by their lawn talking about the most mundane and obvious shit, hey kind of like how my sister said to me yesterday..." With absolutely no trouble, Jon managed to switch the topic to him which the girls quickly joined at, I mean I suppose this is natural. The attention span of teenagers nowadays after all just narrowly beats a goldfish's, oh damn am I really talking an old man?!

In a short while we arrived at a rather classy café, it didn't have anything too special but the whole place was rather fine with all sorts of furniture. We hung in the corner where there was a platform filled with cushions which the girls sat at while we sat in the nearby blue sofa. Nearby was a bookshelf with some classics like "Pride and Prejudice" and "Moby Dick" and such.

Styles and the rest of the lackeys were quick to take out their phones and take pictures, and Jon took our orders while Nadia only sat cross-legged at the platform as she fiddled with a bunny plushie.

"What are you guys getting?"

"I'll get the strawberry frappe" Nadia was the first to reply to which Lucy and Mina also ordered the same in unison after hearing Nadia order it.

"Hm, I think I'll get a cappuccino and also some cookies" Styles said listlessly as he focused on his phone editing his newly taken pictures and sending them in Instagram.

"I'll get an Americano two shots"

"…Dude…" Jon looked at me with concern.

"Are you really in highschool and not some sleep deprived accountant at 6 in the morning?" Jon's overly specific joke still managed a few laughs to my confusion, I mean what's so funny about that? Besides I like my coffee black.

"Hey maybe I'll take the orders instead" Trying escape the awkward atmosphere for me, I suggested to Jon.

"Hm, nah I don't think you can handle it by yourself. I'll come with you." And with that both Jon and I went towards the counter and ordered.

I took the lead and told the barista our orders but just as I finished with Style's order and was about to give mine, Jon cut me off.

"Two caramel macchiato" He said without the smallest regard to my preferences. After that we stood a while at the counter waiting for the change.

"You know Arvior, I'm starting to believe that you really did do what Nadia said."

"Really? Because I wanted to order an Americano? I don't think the sleep deprived accountants would agree" I regarded to his odd joke earlier.

"Haha. No seriously that was pretty cool of you and any savior of Nadia is a friend of mine" He then extended his hand and gave me a firm handshake showing his gratitude in his eyes.

So Jon befriended me as thanks huh? I suppose that mall incident was helpful to me in more ways than one. Although I never expected Jonathan and Nadia to be that close.

"But I gotta tell you as a friend. Don't fall for Nadia, she's just nice by nature so don't go getting any ideas and no offence but she's pretty out of your league. Besides she has a boyfriend"

To his warning I grew flustered, understanding it as him telling me to back off his girlfriend.

"Oh dude, I-I didn't mean to give any weird impressions that I'm hitting on your girl, I wasn't I swear"

Jon then laughed at my flustered reaction.

"Bro..what you did earlier was fanboying…hahaha…you're not quite confident enough to actually pull off flirting…and I'm not Nadia's boyfriend. We're just childhood friends. Her boyfriend is a third year and the captain of the football team at that so keep your distance with her, you would not believe how many friends of mine fell for her and it's honestly a pain for both me and Nadia dealing with them after they were turned down"

I simply nodded trying to look amazed but I didn't really care. We became too engrossed in our conversation after that the orders came without us even noticing and we took it and went back to our seat where as we returned Styles was still fiddling with his phone and Lucy and Mina were still gossiping only that now Nadia fell asleep and her head leaning on the rabbit plushy she was holding earlier.

"Oh so it was Nadia that needed the Americano after all" Jon joked as we arrived to which Nadia quickly woke up looking slightly embarrassed at dozing off. As we sipped our coffee I couldn't help but cringe upon tasting the caramel macchiato, it was much too sweet.

"See vior isn't that much better than black coffee? Stick with me and I'll teach you how to live" Jon told me proudly to which I only replied with a forced smile. I'm really doubtful I'll get used to the life of a normal high school boy if this is what it entails.

My eyes wondered about as I again sipped that sugary abomination then my eyes fell towards Nadia who was looking sleepy still as now and again she would nod off but quickly regain her focus as the group continued on talking about whatever came to their mind. I can certainly understand why some would like her cutesy expressions but I am not so easily swayed, unlike the man who warned me not to be. Jon definitely has eyes for Nadia, I only wonder why no one else notices, not even Nadia herself.