Eddy slammed his hand on his alarm to shut it off.
Here it was. A new year at Peach Creek Jr. High.
He still hated school, that factor was never going to change.
Eddy was nervous for this year to start because so much happened this past summer. It still didn't feel real.
The kids accepted them as friends. They had so many good times this summer. They all went to the beach, had cook outs, and last night recounted on all their adventures thhrough the summer while watching the sun set.
Eddy wouldn't have anything to worry about it he didn't have all this anxiety. Half the summer was him going to therapy sessions. He hated to admit it, but thery were helping him. He was beginning to find who he was. He liked writing. It was useful when he couldn't openly talk about all the nightmares from his past.
"Ready for the big day, champ?" Eddy's father asked when he walked into the kitchen.
"Yeah, I guess." Eddy said pouring his favorite cereal into a bowl.
"I can't believe it, our boy is in the seventh grade. Can you believe how fast time goes." His mother fawned over him before giving him a kiss.
Eddy inwardly groaned. Why did they still have to do this?
His mother sat at the table too. Her face turned more serious.
"How do you feel about your first day, Eddy?" she asked him.
Eddy looked up. They both stared at him in that concerned way. It made his heart pound. He wanted to stop eating, but he didn't knowing it would cause them to worry.
"Fine."
"Son, we want you to know your guidance counselor called yesterday."
He was in trouble already? "Why?"
"He's the kind of counselor who helps student with your kind of situation."
Eddy inwardly groaned. "I don't need anymore help. I'm fine." He tried to say without stuttering those words.
They both looked at him in that sad manner. They'd been worried about their son for years and now with the events that happened in the summer, they took more precautions. They noticed how sad and nervous he got. They were present when he had a nightmare one night about Bro. They were there whenever he needed them.
"Oh, Eddy!" Ed called from outside.
Talk about good timing!
He grabbed his belongings, but was stopped by his mother before he could leave.
"The guidance counselor is there whenever you need to talk to him, Eddy. And if you feel as if you need to come home, it's okay."
"Okay, Mom, you told me before."
Eddy met his friends outside and walked their way to school. The topix of monster trucks came about. It was rather enjoyeable that it was shame it had to end.
Peach Creek Jr. High got bigger and bigger until they were walking towards the doors.
Eddy faltered.
The memories from last year weren't helping.
Kevin pounded a hand on Eddy's back. "Hey, Eddy, ready for another year?"
"Who would be?" That was the first honest thing Eddy said all day.
"True that. See you inside."
Eddy stared at the school. It looked more immense then fromn the last time he saw it.
"Eddy, are you alright?" Edd asked lightly touching his friends shoulder.
"Yeah! Now can we just get this over with!" Eddy said brushing passed Edd.
They put their belongings in their lockers and found out together that they were in the same homeroom. Eddy was able to take a breath knowing this year wasn't turning out to be like last year.
"Sweet, Eddy, we're in the same homeroom!" Nazz exclaimed wrapping an arm around him.
Other kids stared and whispered to one another.
Was his story passing around? Why was everyone whispering? Did he know that person who said hi to him? Nobody ever wanted to talk to him in this school. They hated him. Had hated him?
Eddy jumped at the bell.
It was time for English. A class he liked to start off the day.
"Welcome back everyone." They had a man who must have been in his sixties for an English teacher.
He took attendence. Eddy's smile drifted when he saw how the teachers eyes went wide.
"Eddy S-Sampson?" he asked.
Eddy began sweating, but still put a smile on his face. "H-Hi."
"You're not related to..."
"Yes, I am."
"Well... welcome..."
His brother had a history at this school, and so did he. Most of the teachers despised Eddy.
That's part of the reason why he didn't try. The teachers heard what others had to say about him and didn't give him a chance. Just like...
No, he was not Bro.
He was Eddy.
Eddy didn't even know Eddy.
He kept himself hidden behind that mask his whole life.
"Ah, Eddy, I heard about you from Ms. Lynch." His new history teacher said. "I'm afraid I don't have any ink. Will that be any problem?"
Eddy felt his breathing get caught in his throat. He held his head in his hands. This is why he hated school.
He wanted to excuse himself to go talk to that guidance counselor, but that would only make the teacher think he was up to something.