Chapter Text
Paintbrush is, for lack of a better term, a mess. At least, that’s what their boyfriend Silver always says.
And their teachers.
And most people at school.
And their parents when they see them.
And maybe everyone was right, but did they have to make it so obvious that they felt that way? Couldn’t they just keep it to themselves? Apparently not because here they were, listening to Trophy, Knife, and OJ talk shit about them while they were sitting right behind the group, all because OJ was in a group project with them. “Yeah, she’s not the worst team member to have, but god, the temper she has can get annoying.”
Trophy scoffed, rolling his eyes. “I have her in gym and she doesn’t do anything. She has the height and the strength to play at least semi-good but all she does is just stand there!” Paintbrush didn’t do anything in gym because the schools gym clothes were ass and made them feel like shit. Maybe they’d know that if we had an actual conversation instead of them ignoring me until I’m needed but that’s just an observation.
Paintbrush was Non Binary. They’d figured it out a while back and only told a select group of people, that select group being Silver, Candle, Yin-Yang and their Mom, who didn’t take it too well.
They bit their tongue, so they wouldn’t speak. Besides, they already got into a fight with Knife this week, they didn’t need to do it again. That would get them a fight with him and Silver and they didn’t need that right now. The bell rang and they stood up, grabbing their bag and storming out, not caring to look behind them. They got to their locker a minute later and sighed, opening it and throwing their stuff in there.
They grabbed their phone and slammed it shut, walking towards the lunch room. When they entered, they made a beeline straight for their table. When they sat down, still grumbling, Candle and Floor were already sitting down in a comfortable silence. Candle looked over at Paintbrush, a concerned look on her face. “I’m sensing negative energy exuding off of you, Paintbrush. Is something off?”
Paintbrush shook their head, deciding to stay silent since OJ could show up at any minute and they just didn’t want to deal with anyone. Soon enough, Yin-Yang walked over to the table with their lunch food and sat across from them. Yin-Yang was their step sibling. One of the only times their dad talked to them was to ask if they could keep an eye on them. He was lucky they weren’t that annoying. They were even entertaining some days.
They looked at the food that they got. Paintbrush would rather chew on glass than ever touch the schools food again. The taste was so mediocre and the texture was god awful. When they told the table this, most of them just rolled their eyes, only Candle agreeing that the schools food wasn’t very edible.
To be fair, Silver had never even tried the schools food because he got actual lunches. Plus, he’d been in a bad mood and just felt like disagreeing with Paintbrush that day, so he wasn’t really the best judge.
Even if he could be a pretentious asshole sometimes, he was still their number one, and right now all they wanted to do was lay their head on his shoulder and fade. The next few minutes we’re nothing but static in their ears. Then, Silver and OJ walked into the lunchroom and Paintbrush felt like they could cry from relief.
They waited for the two to arrive at the table and when they did, something odd happened. Silver sat diagonal of them and OJ sat beside them. They looked between the two, confused and slightly pissed. “Hello, you two. How is today treating you?” The two men looked over at Candle. “I’m doing fine, Candle, just wanting to get this project done.” She nodded and looked to Silver who was staring at his phone.
He glanced up at both of them after a few minutes. “Huh, oh yes. I’m fine, now stop staring, it’s impolite.” She turned back to her packed food with contentment and Paintbrush just laid their head down on the table. What the hell was that?
Why didn’t he sit next to them like usual? Was he mad at them? Did they do something wrong? “ Hey, Silver?” Both he and OJ looked over, making Paintbrush a bit anxious. “Um, did I do something to make you mad at me?” Silver shook his head. “Um no? At least not yet, I don’t think, why?” Paintbrush’s voice was small as they spoke. “Well, usually you only don’t sit next to me when you’re angry at me, so I was wondering-“
They were cut off by both Silver and OJ laughing at them. They felt a sinking feeling in their gut. They felt stupid for asking at all. “Paintbrush, I can sit across from you without being angry. I don’t let my emotions control my life, unlike some of us.” They both kept laughing and Paintbrush just sunk further. They put their head back down on the table, trying not to cry. They were not about to let the whole lunch room see them like that.
After what felt like eons, they felt a tap on their shoulder. They looked up to see Candle. She told them that lunch was over and it was time to go to class. They stood up, looked around, and saw that Silver was gone. He didn’t even wait for them. Perfect. They started walking in the crowded hall, feeling all too visible with their height.
When they got to Algebra 2, they sat down in their usual seat next to Silver, who was turned with his back to them. They waited for him to turn back around, but he never did. When the period ended, they got up and walked to their last class, Finance. When they got there, they were told by the teacher to just start working. They sat down across from OJ and waited for him to say something. The project was due tomorrow and they weren’t even halfway through.
“What do you want? I gave you something to do already.” Paintbrush glared at him, keeping their voice low. “I already did that. I got that done last night.” OJ just blinked at them. “Well, you could’ve told me that sooner.” Paintbrush rolled their eyes, taking the paper OJ was handing them and muttering asshole under their breath.
OJ definitely heard them but didn’t comment on anything as they started working. About 20 minutes later, they were done with the paper, so they handed it to him. He took it and looked back to his. Nickel, one of the other group members, gave his paper to OJ as well. OJ looked it over and put it in the pile. A minute later, he handed Paintbrush his own paper and started speaking. “Can you work on this while I go grab something? I’ll be right back.”
He got up and walked away, leaving the other two to work. Ten minutes later, he still wasn’t back. Paintbrush scanned the room and saw him talking to Paper’s group, certainly not being in a rush to get back over here. It made Paintbrush so irrationally angry. Another few minutes passed and he still wasn’t back. When he finally got back, there were 5 minutes left of class and Paintbrush had made it through two other papers besides his.
They all started packing up and OJ turned to Paintbrush. “Hey, can you finish this up tonight? I have a date with Paper and I won’t be able to get it done after.” Paintbrush felt a flicker of anger as they looked up at OJ. “Hell no. I have my own stuff to do.” OJ scoffed and rolled his eyes. “Like what exactly? Is it more important than this? You know it’s like half of our grade.” Paintbrush threw their bag over their shoulder. “Yup, and I’m busy. Ask someone else.”
The bell rang and they walked out of the classroom. They didn’t realize until they were out of the building that OJ was still following them. “Listen, I know we aren’t exactly friends, but can’t you just do this one thing for me?” They stopped in their tracks and turned to him. “This one thing? I already did your paper and more even after you spent all of 6th period talking shit about me. Just fuck off.”
They turned to leave but OJ grabbed their shoulder, pulling them back. They turned around and slapped his hand away. “Are you deaf? I said no, just accept it. Wait, Nevermind , you’re a narcissistic prick who can’t take no for an answer! How silly of me to forget.” OJ’s face got angry. “And you are a hot-headed bitch who can’t look at anyone a without punching them, who dresses and acts like she was raised by a pack of goddamn wolves.”
That was the final straw for them. “Really? Fine then.” They stepped towards him and shoved him on the ground. They then proceeded to get on top of him and start swinging. OJ was covering his face and wriggling around as if that would help. A few minutes later, they felt two pairs of hands trying to pull them off. It was Trophy and Knife . Perfect. “ Ok that’s enough, Paintbrush.” Knife had an iron grip on their arms while Trophy helped OJ up.
Trophy walked up beside Knife. “Yeah, down girl.” Oh hell fucking no. They ripped an arm from Knifes grasp and hit Trophy square in the mouth. He fell back and covered his mouth in pain. Whatever cussing he was doing towards Paintbrush was muffled so they couldn’t understand. They looked around at the crowd surrounding them and saw Silver watching, annoyance written all over his face. Shit.
Knife walked over to inspect Trophy’s injury and help him up. OJ had run off at that point and teachers were rushing towards the scene, asking people what happened. Paintbrush decided to bolt, not wanting to stay there for even longer than they already had. They ran all the way home, hoping the school hadn’t called yet, but unfortunately, when they stepped inside, their mom was standing in the kitchen, glaring at them.
“Why did I just get a call from the school saying you got into another fight?” Paintbrush shrugged, past the point of caring today. “Technically, I only got into one fight and then punched another kid. Plus they both deserved it.” Their mother pointed a finger at them. “Don’t be smart with me, young lady. You’re getting suspended for a week!” Paintbrush let out a cheer. “Woohoo, family bonding time! If he’s feeling generous, maybe your wonderful boyfriend can call me another slur!”
Their mom pointed a finger upwards. “Room. Now! I can’t deal with you at the moment.” They turned on their heel and ran up the stairs. They slammed the door to their room, threw their bag in the floor and collapsed on the bed. They opened their phone and saw they had 9 missed calls from Silver. Better get this over with now. They pressed the call button and after a few rings he picked up.
“Hello-“ “What the hell was that?!” Paintbrush rolled their eyes. “He wouldn’t leave me alone so I made him.” They could hear Silver scoffing on the other end. “And Trophy?” Paintbrush shrugged. “He made a dumb comment so I punched him.” Sliver made a frustrated noise on the other end. “You knocked 5 of his teeth out!”
Paintbrush’s eyes widened. They looked down at their hand, seeing faint teeth marks. “Holy shit, I did! Ha, maybe that’ll teach him to shut up.” They could visualize Silver shaking his head on the other end. “You’re missing the point! Do you know how this is going to reflect on me?” Paintbrush paused, suddenly pulled from their brief good mood. “How the fuck will this reflect on you exactly?”
“Because if people see your violent outbursts and know that we’re dating, they’ll think I put up with you and they’ll see me as a enabling doormat.” Paintbrush was silent in disbelief before they started letting out their emotions. “Oh, so I’m something you just have to put up with now?” Silver started backtracking, making Paintbrush even angrier.
“ I didn’t mean to say that I-“ “No, no no. After ignoring me the whole day, except for the 5 seconds where you made fun of me, now you have time to acknowledge me when it’s about you’re oh so perfect reputation?”
“OJ, Trophy, and Knife spent the entirety of 4th period talking shit about me for no reason. Then, you ignored me. Then, OJ tried to harass me into doing the project by myself. Also, Trophy compared me to a fucking dog! I’m supposed to let that shit slide? Fuck no. How am I still in the wrong here!?” Silver was quiet until Paintbrush finished. “You took it too far. I was just saying that you need to stop acting out like this and letting your emotions get the better of you. If you can’t, then……….. i don’t know if I can keep being seen with you.”
Paintbrush felt their eyes start burning but they weren’t going to let him know that. “You know what? What the fuck ever. We’re over, I’m done. I don’t need you or anyone. While you’re at it, you can tell your friend OJ that if he or his friends come near me again, I’m gonna send them to their fucking graves.” They ended the call after that and threw their phone behind them.
They finally started letting their tears fall as they sobbed into their pillow. What have they done? Why did they have to be so angry all the time? Now look where it got them. They wondered what was going to happen when they came back. Where would they sit at lunch? How would they get through the day when he would be sitting right there?
They cried themselves to sleep that night, hoping it wouldn’t be so bad.