Page 22 of Don't Love the Boy Next Door
PhoenixFireBird: Hey. I just wanted to thank you for the help tonight. Sorry I was rude the other day.
LiamC: You weren’t rude. And I know you can fight your own battles. It helps to have others on your side. And from what I see, you’ve got a loyal army behind you.
True, but no one was as determined to put the bullies in their place like he was.
PhoenixFireBird: Thanks. Are you new to my channel?
LiamC: I’ve been watching for a while now. Never missed a live stream and I’ve watched your old videos. Your gameplays are so entertaining. So real. It’s very interesting to watch.
LiamC: Sorry if that was a bit much. I’m not stalking you or anything. Just a big fan.
PhoenixFireBird: Well, I’m always glad to have another FireBird along for the ride.
LiamC: Maybe we can game together, if you want? Off camera, though. I’m no way as good of a gamer as you, but I do play here and there.
I’ve played with many of my fans before, but this seems different for some reason. There’s something about this guy,something that makes this weird feeling enter my body. A calming feeling. Like we could be great friends.
PhoenixFireBird: I’m totally down for gaming with you. Pick a date and time and I’ll be there. What’s your favorite genre?
LiamC: I like RPGs. They’re so relaxing. You?
PhoenixFireBird: FPS. I’d shoot stuff over questing any day.
LiamC: Ha, I see what you mean. When I’m feeling frustrated, killing things helps. A little.
We chat for a little while. When I ask him why he cares so much about defending me, he says one thing he can’t stand is bullying, whether face to face, online, or anywhere else. He claims he especially hates online bullying because you never really know who’s behind the screen.
Except I know who’s behind the screen in my case. Or at least, I’m pretty sure.
PhoenixFireBird: Thanks again for the help. And you can protect me online whenever you want. We need to stand together against these bullies.
LiamC: We sure do. Have a good night. I’m still holding you to that game.
PhoenixFireBird: Yep. Talk to you later.
I log off and lie down on my bed, folding my hands beneath my head. What in the world just happened?
Chapter Eight
Ethan
I sit in history class Tuesday morning. I’m a little early, which is weird since I hardly come to school early. I have no idea why I’m here, but the girls seem to appreciate it. The second I entered the classroom, they flocked to me, each begging me to either sit with them by lunch or hang out after school. Honestly? I’m sick of all the attention. Sure it was cool in the beginning, but now? They’re really grating on my nerves. Why am I more special than anyone else here? Because I’m captain of the football team? Because I’m part of a band?
“Ethan.” A girl tugs my arm. “Talkto us.” They inch closer to me reaching to touch every available spot on my body. One girl’s hands comb in my hair, messing up my bangs.
I bend away from them, but that only fuels their attacks. They’re practically on top of me now and I’m worried my desk will topple over.
Do I tell them to get lost? It’s not a good idea to make enemies now. These girls not only love the new quarterback, but they love the band, too, and we need all the support we can get. That’s probably why I put up with all this.
My eyes find a crack between the wall the girls built around me and I look toward the doorway. Hmm. Phoenix isn’t here yet. Class should be starting in a few minutes, so she should be here. I want to get started on our report. We only have a few days before we need to present it to the class.
I can’t forget how we actually had a decent time at the museum. And maybe this could be the start of a friendship between us.
The small crack is closed as more girls fuse together, giving me wide, flirty smiles. And I return them because I have to. That only makes them giggle and flirt more.
As they continue begging me to hang out, one by one they’re pushed out of the way, like a bulldozer is crashing through them.
Lifting my head, I find Phoenix standing before me, eyes hard and mouth pressed into a tight line.
