wanting to talk because the anniversary of my f

d goodbye to Mom and prayed that she would remain composed for the day. Although I didn't want

crest High without a car. I learned to take rides from friends, so at least I was pas

ll rang. Since I already had my schedule, I chose to forego my. With the extra time, I grabbed a q

colony. Before I could pry open my locker, it took me a few seconds to remember the combination. I winced as a wave of melancholy surged up into my chest as

arning voice murm

the camera. They were displaying their enormous sand fort as the brilliant blue sky behind them mirrored the sky's splendor.

arious half of our friendship. I was ready to go farther into my closest friend's recollection when I was startled backward by a loud bell. I looked at the hurrying students, who

thday to you, happy birthday dear

good buddy Mark give me a be

p hi

" as I struggled to breathe aga

p hi

oor

p hi

attempt to get free from Mark's grip. "

to my hair, making me f

arms around me and looking into my eyes. "Man, you l

otebook out of my locker before closing it behind me because we both knew

he asked me

arters and punched him in the arm, not

ted deliberately behind me and

tling redhead as I followed the direc

RAPH

rms and legs encircling me like octopus t

y locker, and I felt a

arms off my neck as she yelled,

as wrong with her? Her whi

Aria! That freaking hurt!" as she

least amount of regret in her voic

ed to me. Before my gaze finally returned to Aria, it wavered from Mark to Aria and

maintaining eye

my unexpected imp

Hm

ru? I remember her being five foot tall but now I'm pre

nodded, which caused the ag

ing shoved by the spirited girl

ithe in agony. He scowled, shoving his dark hair aside to keep it out of his eyes, but it fell back into his

ds, saying, "You can't touch me."

t the next joke about my height and you're both gonna lose a ballsack! Got it?" "Now show me your timetable guys,

hat many classes together. "Like I even do Ch

s I did a three-way exchange and glanced at Aria's schedule. We studied AP English Lit and Food & Nutrition and Calculus collectively, which brought

loud hoot that attracted the attenti

Calculus, and Food &

er jagged bangs out of her eyes before throwing herself into his arms. Startled, he staggered backward, his cheeks red

have Food & Nut. and

ut as an elective," I grumbled as I

ho never bothered to show up, an A+ last year. The last we heard, he was going to be fired for "not meeting teaching standards." I was pocketing

ing at?" as Mark and Aria turned to smile

a put her arm around mine and pulle

I know it," as Mark slouched over me and led t

because they were too preoccupied with speaking in low tones. I started running to make it to class in time when the bell rang right after I got out of the restroo

acant workstation at the far end of the space, away from t

care to enlighten the class as to

and gestured for me to come back to the front of the classroom. I acknowledged her. Being the biggest liar ever, I shook my h

y from Aria's and opened my mou

ve a valid r

ued to scowl at me, Aria's co

r puffed cheeks. "Well then, you can join

st High, snickering. I rolled my eyes at Victoria's snide glare and then glanced back at the desk in the far corner. Not

I will be taking over this department for the foreseeable future. This semeste

eyes. I rested my head on my hand and gazed at the lustrous, graphite-colored kitchen countertops across the space. My eyelids started to drop gradually, and my

pace with efficacy. The loud argumentative nature of the class abruptly stopped, enabling a spooky quiet t

assroom, which was directly in front of me, and

Ms. Wilson's voice cut through t

head; I had no idea how she had stayed whole beneath his

Me

ou, you

houlders stiffening and hardening with h

to taking advantage of your previous teachers but if any of you attempt to break my rules again, I'l

t. His head dipped slightly, allowing me to see his

e in an emotionless tone to which everyone had bee

k, going back to her never-ending sermon a

session. I would periodically steal looks at the unkempt blond hair in front of me. A portion of Tyrone's hair was illuminated by the blazing sunlight that peaked through the closed blinds, illuminating it in striking tones of gold, straw, and platinum. Tyrone's head

me from the harsh wooden surface. In a matter of moments, I found myself fading in and out of consc

snap out of it and open my eyes, but before I knew it, I was bolt upright. I was startled back into consciousness when I saw Ms. Wilson's palm resting on my desk. I pressed my

importance of respect towards your teachers. D

nytail slapped my face as I ga

already coming back for an after-school detention along w

erful voice silencing her, "Yeah, that won't

asked, looking up sharp

his breath talking to people like her,

to make it to your detent

at him and folded her arms over he

iting my

informed of the unwritten code by the other professors, right? Tyrone's teachers at this school have never given him homewo

she has all the time in the world to s

throat as she encouraged Tyrone with her deadly statements. He clenched his hands

ister has all the

rude tongue from run

om bouncing off his deep voice. It made us all uncomfortable instead of r

funny! Ve

, hitting his chair hard when he tucked it

ing? The bell hasn'

gerously, chuckled haughtily under his br

turing to his own bo

hair hid the thunderi

classroom before one of

. Wilson in utter dread, he violently slammed th