Page 5 of Manhattan Tormentor

What’s the point?

I don’t like most people.

They’re pedestrian with neediness.

Maybe I am apathetic.

For someone like me, I stand out like an outbreak of herpes.

This place doesn’t encourage anyone to be their authentic selves. Everyone is faking their personality.

Moving along the hallway, I unlock the lab and toss my messenger bag onto the nearest table.

I have a tech class at 12 with the new teacher, Miss Sloan, but until then I’m free to work out the kinks on my test subject. If I can figure it out. My solar microchip has given me some hard days where I want to toss it into the trash and start something new. But I can’t quit. My diagnostic brain won’t let me quit. I’ve been working on it for months with good results so far, if I can fix the glitches. A chip that needs no outsourcing electricity or battery power will revolutionize smart devices in the near future.

As hard as I work, going over mathematic variables and coding, my mind continues drifting to one person.

The one that’s been a thorn in my side for months now because he’s seen it as his mission to make my life miserable. For whatever reason,—only the rich prick knows why.

Finn Maverick is not my type.

At all.

He’s loud. Cocky. The massive chip on his shoulder means he thinks the world should bow down and simper for his presence.

It doesn’t matter if he has model quality features with piercing gray eyes. Strong cheekbones and a mouth people look at and think about sex. Or that his body is rock hard with lean muscles from all the football he plays. His frame is long and appealing, if you like that kind of thing.

I definitely don’t.

I go for guys like me. The smart geeks and out of the closet queers.

He stinks of the closet, and that’s what brings out the asshole in him.

He’s made me his aim for ridicule.

Every bully has a hobby, and I’m Finn’s.

He’s not in Lachlan’s league, but there’s no denying he has a gravitational pull for all the degenerates in the school. I wonder if that’s the reason my eyes always seem to stray toward him? Am I attracted to assholes too?

He hated my other brother, Theo, for no other reason than Theo was a better quarterback. Petty little fucker. Envy is never a good look.

Guess I’m a stereotypical queer because I don’t play sports. I can, I’ve tossed more balls around with Theo than I can count, but it’s not enjoyable. I do it because he’s my brother and one of the best guys I know. I can mentally pick apart a football game like I approach any mathematical equation. But I don’t get the enjoyment out of it like he does.

Finn is a skilled jock. Now that Theo is in college, Finn is the quarterback, and he uses his elevated status as top dog to prowl around the school like he owns it.

I can trace this total mess to the day we collided outside of a classroom. I wasn’t watching where I was going. When his eyes met mine, I was sure he felt the static energy through his fingertips too.I was sure of ituntil his lip curled in a scowl and he shoved me away.

I’m aware he experienced it too. That sudden heat bouncing between us. A hit of attraction before he turned ugly and hate filled.

His one man hate campaign started after that.

Whether he sensed I could see his dirty secret or not, he made me a focal point and he tries to goad me at every opportunity.

The guy is a grade A jerk.

So knowing that, there’s no logical reason why I pay attention to him.

I hate that most of all.

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