"Imagine taking melatonin, then drinking coffee and blasting a playlist filled with Linkin Park, Madilyn Mei, Cavetown, and Radiohead while sitting on a pile of blankets on the floor with the lights off except the lamp next to you, the soft hum of the lamp buzzing in between song changes."
"Atlas… is that seriously your excuse for your fourteen missing assignments?" My teacher asked through sighs.
I shifted my weight. "Uhm, well… yes?" I squeezed the edges of Mr. Jasper's desk a bit tighter. "Well, I can't pay attention to work without music, and I can't focus on work with music…" I looked down at my outfit: My Chemical Romance shirt, black cargo pants, finger-less gloves, Hazbin Hotel buttons on my Student of the Year badge attached to my lanyard.
"Don't you want to have that badge next year?" Mr. J asked, eyeing me suspiciously.
"Well, of course I do! It's just…" I paused, unsure he'd even understand, or I'd let something slip that wasn't meant to.
"It's just that what? You know you c-" Mr. J stopped short, his face unmoving, and for a split second, everything froze. After a moment, everything went fast: Mr. Jasper's face planting into his desk, the pool of blood quickly surrounding his desk, the rush of students calling for help.
It was a blur, I just stood there. I couldn't do anything, even if I wanted to.
The next thing I know, someone's hand touches my shoulder. My instincts kick in and I turn to the stranger and get ready to punch them before I recognize a familiar face.
"I already told you. I'm not answering anything." I declare as I'm rushed outside by Miko while officers follow close behind.
Once we reach the outside of the school, it's dark. When did it get so dark?
"Atlas?" Miko's voice cuts through my thoughts, and I realise he's been talking to me.
"Huh..?" I still have blood splattered on my pants, although I'm not sure I saw any splatters. "What… what even happened?"