Wild Growth Unleashed Chapter 1

I'm nearsighted.

I went to the convenience store where Jax worked part-time to buy some gum and accidentally grabbed a box of condoms instead.

"Three boxes?" The hand he was using to ring me up paused. His lips curved into a half-smirk.

I shot back, full of righteous indignation, "Don't worry about it. They'll all get used."

…

And they were.

All in one night.

* * *

I have high myopia, severe astigmatism, and congenital night blindness.

If I take my glasses off, I can’t see people’s mouths move, which actually affects my ability to hear them.

When I can't see, I get frustrated. When I get frustrated, I frown.

Add to that my fast-paced, distracted way of walking, and I completely miss classmates who give me a small wave in the hallway.

Over time, thanks to my menacing expression and terrible eyesight, I’ve managed to single-handedly avoid ninety-nine percent of all social interaction.

By the time I realized what was happening, I had already been branded the "gloomy guy."

Even when I tried to explain, people would either look right through me or actively dodge me. One time, I finally worked up the nerve to apologize to someone I'd accidentally ignored, only to realize I’d cornered a kid from the class next door. After I finished my mumbled apology, he just stared at me, bewildered, then waved his hands frantically and backed away like he’d seen a ghost.

As I walked past the classroom door, I heard him complaining to his friend:

"Dude, that was so creepy! I was just walking, and this cold-looking glasses kid suddenly blocks my path. His eyes were darting around behind me, and he had this super weird grin while he was apologizing for not recognizing me earlier. I've never even seen him before! It totally freaked me out."

"Ew, get away from me. You sure you're not haunted or something?"

"Shut up!"

…

For the record, I'm just a guy who can't make eye contact. Psychic abilities are currently beyond my skill set.