IT au (Self insert)

CHAPTER ONE, PART ONE.

LOSERS IN DERRY

There was a boy, his name was Athien Miller. Every single day he had PE in the fourth session of a school day, he found it exhausting and embarrassing. The sweat that would soak into his hair, the clothes that stuck to his body, and the warm summer sun, which he hated most. Athien was a slender boy, with a mop of unruly black hair that seemed to defy any attempt to tame it. His hazel eyes, often hidden behind a fringe of hair, held a depth that spoke of a quiet intellect and a world of thoughts unspoken. He preferred the solitude of the library to the chaos of the sports field, finding comfort in the pages of books where he could lose himself in distant worlds and epic adventures. Despite his aversion to PE, Athien was not unfit. His lean frame hinted at a hidden strength, a resilience that kept him going even when he felt like giving up. He had a methodical approach to everything, including his detested PE classes. His backpack, always slung over one shoulder, was filled with notebooks meticulously organised, each subject colour-coded and annotated with his not so neat handwriting. Athien had a small circle of friends who appreciated his sense of humour and observations. Although he seems laid back and chill, they would often find him in the library during lunch, immersed in a novel or jotting down ideas for his latest project.

In the classroom next to Athien, there was a science room. In the room, there was Sebastian. Sebastian had taken a liking to watching Athien run around for an hour; he watched him every day. With his desk conveniently positioned by the window, Sebastian could observe the PE class from his vantage point. He would often pretend to be engrossed in his experiments, his eyes flitting to the window every few minutes to catch a glimpse of Athien's determined figure making laps around the track. Sebastian was captivated by the way Athien moved, not with the effortless grace of an athlete, but with a kind of stubborn persistence that spoke to something deep within him. He admired how Athien, despite the obvious discomfort, kept pushing forward. It was this quiet resilience that drew Sebastian in, like a moth to a flame. Outside the classroom, Sebastian found himself equally entranced. Whenever he walked past Athien in the hallways, his heart would skip a beat, his palms would get sweaty, and he couldn't help but stare. He was mesmerised by Athien's messy hair, the way it fell into his eyes, and the concentrated look on his face as he moved from one class to another. More than once, his fixation had led to embarrassing moments. He would be so lost in his thoughts, so focused on Athien, that he would trip over his own feet, faceplanting to the ground with a thud that echoed through the corridor. His friends would rush to help him up, laughing and teasing, but Sebastian hardly noticed. His mind was elsewhere, replaying every glance, every fleeting interaction with Athien. In the quieter moments, when the hallways were empty and the school day had ended, Sebastian would linger, hoping to catch one last sight of Athien before heading home. He often imagined what it would be like to talk to him, to bridge the gap between them. But the fear of rejection, the fear of shattering the silent connection he felt, kept him at a distance. For now, he was content with watching, admiring from afar, and with the secret hope that one day, things might change.

A girl had to deal with seeing Sebastian gaze at Athien. This girl was Jordan Grace, more known as Jordy. Jordy had a deep passion for music and her guitar. Her air, blood, and life were her music, and everyone knew. She brought her Walkman everywhere, often found with headphones perched on her head, the wire snaking into her pocket. She would hide in the music room at break, practising on the guitars, fingers dancing effortlessly across the strings as she lost herself in melodies. Jordy's world was a symphony of sounds, rhythms, and harmonies. She lived for the moments when she could close her eyes and let the music take over, transporting her to places far beyond the school's confines. Her worn-out sneakers tapped in time to the beats in her head, and her notebooks were filled with lyrics and chord progressions rather than class notes. Jordy had a talent that was impossible to ignore. Teachers and students alike were captivated by her performances during school assemblies and talent shows. Her voice had a raw, emotive quality that could silence a room, and her guitar playing was intricate and soulful. Despite her popularity in the music industry, Jordy didn't really like people, often retreating into her own world where music was her only companion.

Jordy could tell Sebastian had a crush on Athien. It was in the way his eyes followed Athien's every move, the slight smile that tugged at his lips whenever Athien was nearby. Jordy noticed these things because she was observant, always attuned to the subtle rhythms of life around her. She often wondered if Sebastian realised how obvious his feelings were, or if Athien had any clue about the quiet admirer he had. Jordy had her own quiet corner in the music room, where she felt safe to express herself fully. The walls were adorned with posters of rock legends and classical composers, a testament to her eclectic taste. She would sit on a worn-out stool, strumming her guitar and humming softly, sometimes glancing out of the window herself, lost in thought. Though she was focused on her music, Jordy couldn't help but feel a pang of empathy for Sebastian. She knew what it was like to have unspoken feelings, to be drawn to someone and not know how to bridge the gap. Music was her escape, her way of dealing with the complexities of life and emotions. She often wondered if Sebastian had something similar, a sanctuary where he could express his feelings without fear.

Jordy's heartbeat to the rhythm of her songs, but she had a soft spot for the quiet dramas unfolding around her. She hoped, in her own way, that Sebastian would find the courage to speak his truth, just as she found the courage to pour her heart into every note she played.