One Shots!

Liypy | Unnecessary Feelings

It's like Four wants to torture me.

Another day, another algebra lesson. This time, it's a partner project on real-life parabolas. Of course, Four picks our partners. He always does.

I could've been paired with anyone. Pencil, Bracelety- hell, even Roboty or David! Anyone else in this class I would've been fine working with! So of course Four picks the one I can't stand.

Stapy.

Why am I always with him? We don't work well together. We don't talk about how to do the project. The finished product always looks terrible because Stapy refuses to actually do anything properly. He's so annoying. And his handwriting is sloppy! 

But, what can I do. I just have to deal with it, unfortunately. I focus on coloring in the stone arch. It actually looks pretty good so far, but that's because Stapy hasn't touched it. We mutually agreed that we get one half of the paper.

"God, could you go any slower?" Stapy stupidly said. I don't look up.

"Sor-ry, I'm just putting actual effort into this. I don't suppose you'd know what hard work is."

He scoffed. "Work smarter, not harder. Why put so much effort into something that doesn't even matter? It's not like you can fail this class."

Stapy is so clueless. "Four appreciates it. If you do the work, he won't use his annoying screech. And I, for one, would like to still be able to hear after all of this is over."

"Whatever," Stapy sighs. "I'm done anyway, so just...go wild. I don't even care."

God. I raise my eyes to look at his work. It's even worse than I thought.

"Like hell you're done! I can barely read your handwriting! It looks like chicken scratch!" I shout.

"Um, my handwriting is perfectly fine?" he says. "It's yours that needs work. It's so...robot-like. Says a lot about you."

Was supposed to be an insult? "Same goes for you. You're a sloppy, lazy excuse of an object."

"Excuse me!?"

"Oh my tree, will you two shut up?" Pencil complains. "I'm trying to work!"

I sigh deeply. I'm tired of this. "Just...whatever. I'll do it myself."

Other than the background conversations of the other Exitors, the room is relatively quiet. I listen in on their ramblings and gossip as I work. Turns out Foldy made a new enemy, which I find hilarious. In fact, she's out for the whole team of Iance. 

And Bracelety's upset because her team got rid of her entire Ice Cube shrine. What a shame. I don't know what Bracelety sees in her, though. I mean, Ice Cube is kind  of cool, but I wouldn't obsess over her the way Bracelety does.

Loser keeps rambling about holes and Gelatin. He also keeps talking about the LOL, whatever that is. I hope he hasn't gone crazy in that..thing of his. What even is that weird sphere? It looks like an onion, or a really round dumpling. How did he get in there, anyways? I could ask 8-Ball, he...probably knows.  

I glance up, and lock eyes with Stapy. His eyes are dark and deep, like a mysterious black sea. I could stare into them forever..- what the hell!? I scowl and tear away, heat rushing to my face. What was that!? 

"Jeez! Were you staring at me while I was working!? You creep!"

"What!?" he retorts, "I wasn't looking at you, I was just staring into the distance! You're the one who was looking at me all weird!"

"Ugh, whatever!" I can't believe it happened again! Every time I look at Stapy, something weird happens. My face heats up, my hands get sweaty, I start thinking weird- And then he looks at me and makes things worse! I'm always catching myself staring and I want to make it stop!

Then I find myself daydreaming or something and I start thinking about Stapy and just- I don't even want to think about it. God, it's so stupid. He's stupid. Stupid Stapy and his..dreamy eyes..- No! What's gotten into you, Liy? Stapy isn't dreamy or handsome in the slightest. His voice doesn't give you chills sometimes, or anything like that. You don't wish he smiled at you, or held your hand, or let you stroke your hand down his back...definitely not. 

I really need to find a way to stop this.

My cheek bursts with warmth, a gentle touch brushing my skin. It feels so nice, except..

I turn and look up, meeting eyes with Stapy, who is redder than usual. His gaze goes straight to my soul. I lean in. I can almost...

Goddammit!

"Get your..grubby hands off me!" I sputter, jerking my head away.

"My stapler instincts made me do that!" What a stupid excuse!

"Your stapler instincts should learn to give me my space!"

"You're one to talk! You were the one leaning in-"

"You started it, you-"

A desk slams. "Oh my tree! Trying to work, here!" 

I scowl. What the hell even happened? Was I about to kiss him? God, that's disgusting. 

What would happen if we did kiss, though...ugh. Stop thinking like that!

Stupid Stapy. Stupid, unnecessary feelings.