Shatter

Elliot nearly broke into tears when he noticed the length of the walk from the parking lot to his designated University building, not to mention his 'Principles of Musical Form' class was on level three of the three story building. This would not have been a problem for him except maybe for the pasty white cast he wore that announced to the world "my leg is broken, don't touch me." If that wasn't enough, maybe people would notice his awkward movement down the sidewalk using two crutches which looked too tall for his short figure. Despite Elliott's attempt to make sure everyone knew of his newly found disability, a tall yet hunched young University student was too preoccupied with his phone to notice the blinding white cast that was approaching him followed by the clickity-clack of Elliott's crutches. Elliott's gaze was laser-focused on his friend Beau who was only twenty-steps ahead of him but was somehow deaf to Elliott's pleads for him to slow down and wait. Elliott was busy thinking about his useless friend when the tall, well-dressed, (uniquely handsome) young man bumped directly into the dirty blonde's crutch and consequently knocked him into the grass. Sitting with his butt in the dirt and his hands gripping his crutches awkwardly beside him, Elliott curses at the passerby-er, "Watch it!" The dark umber hair continued further and further away from Elliott as he shouts at him to come back and help him up. While the fallen boy is busy with cursing at his assailant, the students walking pass him don't think to help him up and suddenly Elliott is throwing words into empty air. He desperately looks around for someone to help him but to his surprise, not a single soul was on the quad. He checks his watch and notes that most classes have already started by now, including his. He expected to be a couple minutes late before this unfortunate event, but as he struggled to get up without the shooting pain from his leg, with no help from the clunky crutches he couldn't seem to hold properly, he was already ten minutes late as we began trotting to class. There were a few surprised faces as Elliott barged through the classroom door, because really, who is late for the first class of the year? Elliott admired the room, more appropriately named, the auditorium. The professor continued her lecture as Elliott hobbled over to the closest seat possible. Beside him was a young woman with pitch black hair and black, thick rimmed glasses. She unexpectedly smiled at him, but neither of them made conversation as the professor's voice took up the entire auditorium. The short and wide woman standing in front of about a hundred students gave Elliott the impression that she would never let anyone misbehave like in high school, he was glad about that. She finished with encouraging words, hoping her students would return ready to learn, Elliott was already excited for the next lecture. Elliott took his time to pick up his crutches and sling his backpack over his shoulder but he forgot that there were around ten students waiting for him to move out of the way. Just as he was reaching for his crutch on the ground, the girl who sat beside him handed them to him and ushered him out of the isle. Elliott noticed the grimaced faces that passed him on the way out, and he cringed for his ignorant behavior. His cheeks turned red as he apologized to the girl who stayed beside him as everyone else left. "No worries. I once sprained my ankle playing soccer and no one ever helped me with my crutches so it felt nice to help you." Elliott nodded at her story. "My name is Spencer." "Elliott.. nice to meet you. And thanks for the help." "Do you have any other classes today? I'm guessing you are in the School of Music?" she asks expectantly, eyes bright with curiosity. Elliott felt appreciative for a sudden friend. He assumed that his only friend would be Beau for the entirety of University. It was a silly thought, but Elliott always had silly thoughts much like that one. Spencer leads the way out of the classroom as Elliott shyly peaks over at the professor once more to see she is busy with paperwork. "Just one more class today. I'm headed to Building B for an English class," he replied. Her brown eyes grew big in shock. "Hey me too! Is it at 11 with Prof. Sanders?" "I'm pretty sure, yeah!" Excitement bubble within Elliott at the prospect of a new buddy to sit with in class. Beau would have been more ideal but he is in Applied Science and they have no classes together. As the two of them cross the Main Quad they chat about what instruments they play and what kind of music they listen to. Elliott learned that Spencer was very into alternative rock and has been in multiple bands as a drummer, bassist and guitarist but she isn't confident in her voice. Elliott confessed that he played piano, violin, guitar and the flute, but he explained that he doesn't have much practice. He spoke enthusiastically about his passion for composition for both classical and modern music but he spends most of his time on his computer mixing instruments and beats. Just as the day seemed to be looking up, Elliott spotted the same dark-haired tall fellow that knocked him down earlier and was ready to give him a taste of his own medicine. Elliott picked up his speed to intercept the stranger, leaving Spencer to awkwardly try catching up. As the three of them crossed paths, Elliot hit the tall figure with his crutch as he got his attention. This time, the unknown student turned to Elliott and took in his appearance. A unusual look wiped across his face, almost as if he recognized a complete stranger, but how is that possible? Elliott raised an eyebrow at the man. "You knocked me over this morning, don't you have anything to say to me?" Elliott snarled. "I didn't even realize. Sorry 'bout that," he muttered. "Sorry? I was late to class because I spent ten minutes trying to stand back up. If you didn't notice, my leg is out of service. I expect more than a lame excuse of an apology," retorted Elliott. The stranger was shocked at the younger's attitude and bossiness. "Um okay then, what do you expect from me?" "Buy me lunch then maybe I'll forgive you," Elliott suggested, thinking he came up with the best revenge. Free food is a University students' wet dream. "That sounds like blatant flirting. Not sure if I'd want to go on a date with a stranger," replied the nameless man. Elliott was completely speechless as he walked away. Flirting? How? He couldn't see how asking for lunch meant the two of them would spend most of their lunch time with each other. Spencer who had been forgot about in the background finally spoke up to wake up Elliott from his frozen state. "Well that was weird. Let's go. We are going to be late for class at this rate." Her demeanor was less lively than before, probably shaken up by the sudden conflict. As they walked, Elliott ranted. "Did you hear what he said to me? I was flirting with him? That makes no sense!" "You did ask to go out to lunch with him," Spencer replied matter-of-factly. "The part that surprised me is that Atticus didn't lash out at you," she admitted. "Wait a minute... You know that jerk?" Elliott shook. "He went to my high school, he is two years ahead of us. His younger sister was in my friend group so I kinda knew him." Elliott was unreasonably surprised that two people in this giant University could know each other, but then he realized that there hundreds of students from each school choose to come to this University, even Elliott and Beau. "So is he usually that cold?" asked Elliott curiously. "As far as I know, that's pretty tame for his temper. I don't think he has ever acted on his anger on someone else but he's definitely punched a couple holes in his house." With this newfound information, Elliott was only more curious about this 'Atticus' guy. Who does he think he is? Usually, a hot-tempered man like Atticus would ward away strangers, especially strangers who want something from him. But Elliott isn't a normal young adult, he seeks out justice when he is attacked like this. He knew from then on, that his next goal is to make Atticus pay for his cold demeanor and ignorant actions.