He had been waiting for his senior year since he had began high school, but now that it was here, Gordie felt more nervous than excited. He only had one year left in Castle Rock. One year left in the place that was home, no matter how many times he would have traded anything to get out of it. It was a place that was familiar. He knew the stores and the people and the names of the streets. The summer heat had not yet faded away, although the school calendar said that summer was over today. He was walking to school, he backpack heavy with all of his new supplies. He didn't have a car. His father had promised to "help him out" once he had graduated school. Gordie didn't know how much help he would get, but he had a hefty sum saved up from mowing lawns and working afternoons and weekends at the local grocery store regardless.
He looked up ahead and saw a familiar figure walking in the same direction. He called out to Chris so that he would slow down and they could walk together. When he caught up, he gave Chris a nervous smile. "You ready? Senior year.." Chris seemed a little nervous himself. They had already compared schedules and had most of the same classes. Chris had gotten a much better grip on the college material he was learning since freshman year, but he still relied heavily on Gordie for tutoring. Gordie didn't mind, he was glad to see his friend succeed.
"I don't know." Gordie answer honestly. They walked on, silently. A slight melancholy hung over them like a gloomy rain cloud. Deep down, Gordie was wondering if Chris would still be his friend when they went their separate ways next fall. Chris was wondering similar thoughts.
As the school came into vision, Gordie began to think about something else. He had begun a mild flirtation in algebra class before school had ended the previous year with a girl named Becky Scott. He had only seen her a handful of times since school had let out and he wondered if there would still be something there, or if she had forgotten about him entirely. He had only had one girlfriend in his high school career and it was casual and hadn't lasted long. No feelings were bruised when they separated, but Gordie did long for a girlfriend, especially since this was his last year. Chris had not had any easier of a time in the female department. He was good looking and serious, so he caught a lot of girl's attention. But a boy with the last name of Chambers who showed up to class in a leather motorcycle jacket and always sat in the back row was not something any of the girls in the college courses ever dared to pursue seriously. He had fooled around a few times with one of his co-workers, but he harbored no real feelings for her. He had enough on his mind with classes, anyway.
It wasn't time for class to start yet, so the two boys sat on the ledge outside of the school and smoked their cigarettes. Teddy and Vern began to loudly walk toward them. It was true, that the foursome didn't spend much time together anymore. It was difficult with the different class schedules, but for the most part, they made time. "Gimme one a those, Chambers." Teddy demanded as he snaked a cigarette out of Chris's pack. "Hey, have you guys seen Katherine Taylor yet? Big tits this year. Huge. She must've worked on them all summer." Vern beamed. Chris and Gordie rolled their eyes at each other. It was as though Teddy and Vern were still twelve, while the other two boys had continued on the journey to adulthood. Gordie had to admit thought, their youthful banter was often welcome when he was in a bad mood. It was difficult not to be taken back to an innocent age when they were around. "Yeah, almost as good as your mother's." Teddy said nonchalantly. He didn't even flinch were Vern drove his fist into his arm in retaliation.
The first bell rang, and they all stubbed out their smokes and shuffled inside. Another summer had come to an end, and another school year had begun. Their last.