ESTEVÀN
'Let's sit there,' I say, pointing at an empty spot on the bleachers.
We sat and waited for the principal to do his annual speech about how its gonna be a great year and we have to be serious now that we're juniors and some cringey jokes he thinks we like but we all just awkwardly laugh.
I pick up my phone and check my emails again. I've been checking non-stop since schedules came out. This year shouldn't be too bad.
1. Math (ap calc)
2. P.E
3. History
4. Lunch
5. Elective (creative writing)
6. English (ap lang)
7. Study hall
8. Chemistry
I looked over my schedule for the hundredth time and sighed.
"What?" Astoria asked, obviously noticing my sigh."You've been looking at your schedule nonstop since we got the emails."
"Yeah, I know." I sigh "im just nervous. The only classes we have together are history, lunch, P.E, and chem. I might have to actually talk with other people, " I say with a shudder.
She just sighed and rolled her eyes.
"That's still a lot of classes together, Warren. Im sure you'll he fine. You have all good teachers, at least!" She smiles.
"Yeah," I say, sighing again, and I slump down against my bag "yeah sure whatever it'll be fine."
Astoria glances at me once more, but before she can say anything, the principal walks in and begins the draining annual speech of his.
"GOOD MORNING STUDENTS!" he says all too enthusiastically."This is going to be a great year! But before you head over to your classes, I'd just to make a couple of announcements....."
He droned on about classes, college applications, testing, and a bunch of other stuff I already knew about. After a few minutes, I tuned him out and thought of my first class. Ap calc. It can't be all that bad, right? I've always been good in math, which is why I've been doing all these ap and honors math classes.
It's not even the actual class im worried about. it's the people.
I dont think I have ever gotten along with people. I just dont click with people the way others do. Im not very great with social clues, im very introverted, and im extremely oblivious.
That combination makes it really hard to form any sort of relationship with others. Platonic or romantic.
But not Astoria. In 3d grade, she saw me and decided she'd be my friend. And despite me being a prick at that age, she was just as stubborn and stuck with me. And now here we are 10 years later, best friends. She's really the only one who truly gets me, and she knows the most about me.
Of course, even she doesn't know everything. Some things are just better kept behind closed doors...
"...And thats about it. Well, good luck, everyone. You're all dismissed. "
"Finally, omg, I thought he'd never stop talking," Astoria said as we gathered our stuff and left the auditorium. "Where's your first class?"
I checked my schedule again. "On the left. 2nd floor. Yours?"
"On the right. It's on this floor, " she sighed.
I guess we can't walk each other to class.
"I'll see you at P.E," I said and started walking towards my class. I can't be late.
.....
Turns out I was early. There were only 3 people here. Lucky me.
I sat furthest from the front, right next to the window. All the seats were separated, thankfully.
Soon, all the students came in, and we began lessons.
P.E was the first class i had with Astoria. Thankfully.
It's a class I would hate to have to socialize in.
I tried opting out and gave them every excuse in the book. But apparently, P.E is 'important for our health,' and we need the credits.
What a load of bull.
So here I am with Astoria, running outside in the field, the surn burning at my skin.
I hate this.
WARREN
"Yo, let's go sit over there!" I hear Silas say, and we all follow.
As we walk towards an empty spot on the bleachers, i see Estevàn with his friend on the opposite side.
I sigh to myself. Hopefully, we have classes together, and then I'll be able to finally talk to him.
Im looking at him, thinking about our classes when Roy brings me back to reality.
"What're you staring at Estevan?" Roy asks."OMG, is it a girl? " he says, wagging his eyebrows.
I rolled my eyes. "What? No, I just zoned out."
"You're good?" Silas asks, and I nod in return and smile.
"Let's all compare schedules!" Emily says, and that's a great idea.
We all pull up the emails and compare.
My schedule isn't horrible.
1. Math (pre calc)
2. P.E
3. English
4. Lunch
5. Elective (music theory)
6. History
7. Study hall
8. Chemistry
I look at my friends' schedules. I have P.E with Silas. English with Roy. Lunch with all of them. Study hall with Emily and Silas. And chemistry with Roy.
Ok, this really won't be that bad.
We all sigh in relief at having classes with each other.
Soon enough, the principal starts his yapping spree about stuff everyone already knows. I zone out and look for Estevan in the crowd. I find him again except he looks stressed and he slupms down into his bag.
I wonder what's up with him.
"Right, Warren?," Roy says
"Oh, what? Sorry I wasn't paying attention. " I laugh
Roy looks at me suspiciously and says, "i said he really needs to stop with these jokes, right Warren?"
I laugh and say, "Yeah, not a soul is laughing at them."
"...And thats about it. Well, good luck, everyone. You're all dismissed. "
"Finally," Emily says, stretching and getting her bag. We all join her and make our way out. We all head our separate ways to our classes.
On the way to math, I noticed a streak of brown hair pass by me.
I wonder if he ever notices....