SHATTERED

fifteen

saylor

i let out a small sigh as i walked up the stairs to get to the roof. i opened the door, and i walked outside. i glanced around. my eyes widened a bit as i saw that alex was out here; they were leaning against one of the walls that surrounded the staircase.

"oh. i didn't know you were up here," i mumbled.

i could feel their eyes on me as i walked over to the edge of the roof. i sat on the railing with my back towards the city; i faced alex. my feet were barely dangling above the ground.

"how the fuck can you stand to constantly smoke those?" i made a face as i glanced at the cigarette that was between their middle and index fingers. "why not get a vape? they taste and smell better."

i guess i can't talk much since i smoke too... but i'll only smoke a cigarette every once in a while; alex smokes all the time.

"they're not for me. i only take a hit of jessie's every now and again," they shrugged. they then gave a sarcastic smile. "i like to taste the cancer, with cigs."

"oh. lovely," i commented. they made a face at that, then kicked at the ground.

they hummed. they pushed off of the wall they were leaning against. "well, looks like i need to find another roof top to smoke on."

i narrowed my eyes at them. "seriously?"

"yep," they muttered.

their brows raised as i hopped off of the ledge and took a step forward. we were now standing only a few feet apart. "okay, seriously, what the fuck is your problem with me? you've hated me since we met, but i haven't done anything to you," i spoke as i looked up at alex.

they stared down at me as their jaw clenched. they didn't answer.

when they didn't respond, i lifted my hands. i placed them just under their chest, and i pushed them back some, a bit harshly. "c'mon. what is it, alex?"

with their cigarette in the corner of their lips, they grabbed one of my wrist, and they squeezed it hard as they pulled me close to them. i now stood almost chest to chest with them as they looked down at me. i swallowed as i looked up at them, though i kept a harsh gaze.

"honestly, i couldn't tell you. you just irk me in the absolute, worst ways possible," they muttered. they squeezed my wrist harder. "now, the next time you lay your hands on me, you best be ready to fight; trust me, i won't hesitate to beat your ass."

i slowed my breathing a bit. i didn't say anything as i held eye contact. my brows furrowed a bit as their eyes glanced down, then, just as quickly, flitted back up to my eyes.

did they just look at my lips?!

they definitely just looked at my lips...

they brought their free hand up to pull the cigarette out of their mouth. as they did, they pushed me back; they were still holding my wrist as they did. they then let it go as they took a step back. i lifted my hand to rub at my wrist that they had been holding.

"maybe if you would quit being annoying, we would get along."

"you're a childish fucking prick. i hope you know that," i spat.

"mm, i've been called worse. if you're gonna insult me, at least make it hurt," they mumbled as they walked to the door to get to the stairs.

i looked down at my wrist as they opened the door. there was now a red handprint on it from where they had squeezed it harshly. "asshole," i muttered as i continued to soothingly rub my wrist.