Anod

🔪Jed Borison, he's 17 years old and genderfluid, his preferred name is Anod (masc presenting) or Dona (fem presenting)

🔪His mom remarried into old money while his dad lives in Florida. Despite technically being a prep, he's too weird to be considered as one; he also hates everyone else to be part of any other clique.

🔪He hates the Jocks and the Greasers the most. He wants to be part of the bullies, but even they consider him a nutcase. He still acts and dresses like he's part of the bullies

🔪Very interested in photography, film, horror, hunting, and taxidermy, he also likes to pull pranks on lots of people

🔪He's meant to be creepy and uncomfortable! So don't be afraid to say if you're uncomfortable with what I say or do but do not be surprised by it!

Bullworth Academy seemed frozen in time, its hallways echoing with the same chaotic energy that had erupted the previous year. The memory of Gary Smith's orchestrated riot still lingered in the air, a reminder of how easily manipulation could set the entire student body ablaze with fervour. Jed could still feel the thrill of that day when he had unleashed his dogs, a pack of ferocious, excited beasts, while he launched projectiles with a slingshot, targeting those who had dared to cross him. It had been a wild and exhilarating experience, a vivid moment of anarchy that he relished.

Yet now, as the new school year began, a sense of normalcy crept back into the academy. The vibrant chaos had faded, leaving behind a grotesque semblance of the same snobby, superficial, and self-centred students that Jed had grown accustomed to. They were like brain-dead rodents, scurrying about, oblivious to the world outside their trivial pursuits. The increase in the student body was evident, some he recognised from previous years, but many were strangers, new victims in a crowded sea of predators

A piercing scream echoed through the school's hallways, abruptly silencing the students' chatter. Heads turned in unison, their expressions a mix of shock and curiosity, as Eunice stumbled backwards from her locker, her eyes widened in horror at the sight before her, a grotesque trophy of a wild boar’s shoulder mount, its lifeless eyes seemingly mocking her.

In the midst of the chaos, a low, amused snicker broke through the tension. Jed, the mischievous mastermind behind the prank, leaned casually against the nearby lockers, a glimmer of delight in his eyes. He had meticulously memorised everyone's locker combinations just two days prior, and the thrill of sneaking into school the previous night to orchestrate this grand display filled him with a sense of triumph. The wild boar head was a personal trophy from an exciting hunting trip he had taken during the summer with his dad, who allowed Jed to keep the head for taxidermy, while the rest of the meat was prepared for dinner

With a satisfied grin still playing on his lips, Jed sauntered over to his own locker, his smirk betraying his enjoyment of the chaos he had created. As he approached, he spotted a group of preppies gathered at their lockers, their polished outfits contrasting sharply with the grimy locker decor. Gord, the shortest of the bunch, stood slightly apart from the rest, his eyes narrowing as he sensed a shift in the atmosphere.

Jed, with his tall frame and commanding presence, leaned in closer to Gord, who suddenly felt exposed and vulnerable. Taking advantage of his height, Jed slouched down so his head hovered ominously over Gord’s shoulder. The intimidation was palpable; the small boy broke out in goosebumps, and the other preppies instinctively stepped back, their discomfort radiating through the air.

With an unfaltering smile, Jed stared down at Gord, who didn’t dare meet his gaze. Instead, Gord took a reluctant step back, retreating like the rest of his friends. Jed chuckled softly at their retreat and the fear he had instilled, feeling a rush of power as he opened his own locker. He anticipated the rest of the day to be filled with his pranks and the reactions they would provoke. The thrill of the unexpected, the laughter, and the camaraderie of mischief made everything worthwhile.

As he leaned against his locker, Jed retreated into his own world, his focus sharpening. He began to meticulously observe the students passing by, taking mental notes of their facial features. He studied the contours of their faces; the shape of their eyes, the curve of their noses, the angular structure of their jaws, and made an effort to remember the nuances of their skin tones. His mother had gifted him a new camera, a small reprieve from the tensions at home following a particularly nasty argument with his stepfather, a man who was old enough to know better, yet still found pleasure in picking fights with a teenager. “What a pathetic loser,” Jed scoffed internally as he adjusted the camera strap over his shoulder and began capturing images for what he deemed his personal archive.

The atmosphere buzzed with tension, and it didn’t take long for the familiar sounds of conflict to erupt. Fights were breaking out, a chaotic symphony of shouts and cries reverberating through the corridors. With a keen eye, he positioned himself strategically to photograph one unfortunate soul getting their teeth knocked out by a bully’s fist, capturing the brutal moment with a click of the shutter as the victim crumpled to the ground.

Suddenly, he felt a light tap on his shoulder. Turning, he had to look down to meet the gaze of a girl, a newcomer to the school. She stood barely at his shoulder when he straightened up, her wide eyes searching for guidance. “Excuse me? I’m new here. Do you know where the bathroom is?” she asked, her voice softened with uncertainty. Without a moment's hesitation, he pointed in the direction of the girls' restroom, watching her expression shift to relief.

She smiled, a genuine, bright expression that caught him slightly off guard. As she turned to head in the direction he pointed at, he instinctively raised his camera once more, capturing a candid shot of her before she disappeared down the hallway. He was certain she hadn’t noticed, but the moment was now frozen in time

It wasn’t the last time Jed would cross paths with the new girl, who he later learned was Lourdes, though she preferred to be called Dess. She entered the classroom wearing the astronomy club sweater that paired perfectly with a plain Kelly green skirt that swayed gently with her movements. She wore a canary yellow bowtie that added a playful touch to her outfit. Thick, round glasses perched on her nose framed her soft, round face, and while they enhanced her appearance, they were more of a fashion statement than a necessity. Jed could tell at a glance that she didn’t rely on them too heavily; her almond-shaped eyes sparkled with curiosity and determination.

In stark contrast to his own blindness, Jed was farsighted but hesitant to wear his glasses in public; he feared the nerdy label that it might invite. Instead, he opted for contacts that were far from his actual prescription, just enough to navigate his way through the hallways without colliding 

It soon became apparent to Jed that beneath her whimsical exterior lay a strong ambition; she was determined to start a club, or rather, a series of clubs dedicated to art.

Dess was bubbling over with ideas, envisioning a multitude of possibilities, including art, literature, music, film, pottery, photography, cooking and baking, history, role-playing, sewing, and even robotics. Art was clearly her foremost passion, leading her to find others who shared her interests. He discovered that, oddly enough, Dess's only friend at school was Rei, who was the prefect's pet and her sister

Jed made his way through the bustling hallway, his eyes locked on Dess at her locker. He had an undeniable curiosity about her, wanting to dissect the enigma she presented. He was eager to see if he could provoke a reaction, a flicker of discomfort, a shadow of irritation. He wanted to find what made her skin crawl, to uncover the layers beneath her body. There was something about her that intrigued him, something that made him want to explore the depths of her personality and see if he could get under her skin.

Across the hall, Dess was engrossed in organising her files, her locker an oasis of order amidst the chaotic environment of Bullworth Academy. Despite the suffocating atmosphere of the school, she succeeded in remaining uncorrupted, which baffled her peers. She didn’t demand attention with noise; instead, her quiet confidence seemed to fill the space around her. 

The nerds found her intimidating, the jocks considered her cute enough to eat, the greasers dismissed her as “too sweet for her own good,” and the preps marvelled at her “weirdly wonderful” presence. The teachers, meanwhile, either celebrated her dedication or felt a twinge of unease at how effortlessly she outshone the rest of the class.

As Jed entered the scene, he straightened his posture, standing tall at around 6’4”. He was well aware of his physical presence and how it could influence less assertive individuals. He lingered for a moment, waiting for Dess to notice him, hoping to see a flicker of apprehension cross her face. However, when her gaze finally met his, it was not fear that radiated from her but an inviting smile, warm and effervescent like the first rays of sun piercing through a frosty morning. There was a certain brightness in her expression that softened the edges of his intentions.

“Hi! Do you need anything?” she asked, her voice cheerful and genuine, as if she were delighted to see him rather than cautious of his looming figure. The warmth of her greeting caught him off guard, and for a brief moment, he felt a strange combination of relief and disappointment; the scardey cat he had anticipated was anything but. Instead, he found himself captivated by the sun-like glow of her presence, uncertain of how to proceed.

“Hi, uh... I heard you were starting a photography club. Is that true?” He lowered his voice, deliberately roughening it to make him threatening and intimidating, watching her closely for any hint of discomfort. Instead, she simply nodded and gave a casual wave

“Yes! Well, once I get Dr Crabblesnitch's approval, it’s going to fall under the Visual Arts club" she replied, her eyes shimmering with excitement. She leaned forward, eager to share her vision. “I’ve been working on figuring out how to effectively manage these clubs, and I decided to create distinct groups for Visual Arts, Communication Arts, and Music. By doing this, each club can explore its unique medium while still being connected under the broad umbrella of the arts,” Dess explained enthusiastically, her passion evident in her animated gestures.

“Huh, yeah…”

When Jed stepped through the front door, he made a beeline for his room, avoiding the curious glances of his mother and stepfather. As he locked the door behind him, an overwhelming tide of emotion washed over him. He pressed a hand to his mouth, stifling any sound, as a vivid crimson blush spread across his cheeks, warming his skin. His eyes reflected a mixture of excitement and disbelief, sparkling as if he were on the verge of bursting with happiness.

Both hands flew to his face, feeling the heat radiating from his flushed skin. He struggled to keep his head steady, which felt heavy under the weight of thoughts swirling around in his mind, thoughts of Dess. A soft smile blossomed on his lips, unable to contain the sheer joy that surged through him.

God, she was incredible… Like a breath of fresh air sweeping into his life, she illuminated everything around her, transforming darkness into light. The mere thought of her sent his heart racing, thundering against his ribcage, a frantic drumbeat that echoed his rising excitement. His fingers trembled slightly as he fidgeted, and his lips felt dry, almost parched from the intensity of his feelings.