These are the Best Years of Your Life?
9:05 AM—Belleview High Auditorium
It was the first day of school assembly as Drake slouched in the mid row auditorium
seat. Torey was on his right and with Drake in the middle he decided to put his jean
jacket over the other seat to mark it saved. The morning went all thirty-one flavors of
wrong. First Josh was using the shower although Drake couldn't fault him too much for
that, he did hit the snooze bar one too many times and then Megan lied and said Torey
was on the phone leaving it on the planter shelf so Drake had to move from his waiting
spot to get it and naturally it just had to be a practical joke from Megan so she could
use the bathroom second.
He hated not having perfect hair, but there was more to his mood than oversleeping
and a later than usual morning shower.
Torey held his hand, "Drake, are you okay?"
Torey was very much surprised by the drawing paper and colored pencils earlier this
morning when Josh threw the keys at Drake and ran out of the car. It was his way to
make sure they had their private car moment but Drake was beyond embarrassed.
"Yeah. When will they start this stupid assembly?"
"Hey, Drake!" Josh called from the aisle as he waved frantically.
"Oh no," Drake corrected his posture, "Josh."
"I was wondering where you two went! Here's your jacket." Josh tossed it into Drake's
lap.
"Do you mind?" Drake asked putting his jacket over the chair.
Torey squeezed his hand. It was soothing. "Hi, Josh."
She was going to ask him if he saw Mindy, but if the answer was no he was only going
to be a bumbling mess and Drake didn't need that.
He did love Josh but was feeling closed in every time that his brother had a problem.
Drake did mean his promises about "always being there" and wanting to be "his
brother's keeper", but at the same time he still needed his own space.
Every human being did. Drake felt that Josh was being extremely unfair.
"Hi, Torey. I cannot wait to get my schedule to see what teachers I have this year!" He
opened up one of his new notebooks and took an ink pen from his shirt pocket.
"You are going to take notes at a school assembly?" Drake asked
"Why not?"
If it made Josh happy and kept him busy then Drake didn't mind, but it certainly was
embarrassing of him.
Drake may not be popular at Belleview anymore but he was still cool.
LunchDrake was happy that he and Torey had the same lunch period. He had fifth period
lunch last year and was surprised that whatever academic nerd created the schedules
didn't flip it. His guy friends were at the table with him and his girlfriend. There was one
seat at the table left.
"Did you spot Crenshaw yet?" Drake asked Torey while drinking a can of soda.
"No. And Mindy's usually in some of my classes."
But the two girls didn't get chummy with each other until they were dating the
respective brothers and they had a semi good friendship going Torey thought until the
night of the junior prom when Mindy tried to end her young life.
"I haven't seen Josh all day. I think he might have had fourth period lunch. Hallelujah."
"Drake," Torey stroked his hand, "Promise me you won't freak out."
"Hey, brotha!"
"I thought you had fourth period lunch?"
"I did, but I changed it. Because it was only study hall so they let me switch."
"Great."
"Hmm, I smell macaroni and cheese." Along with his therapy Audrey and Walter
thought that Josh should see a nutritionist who gave him guidelines for watching his
portions.
"Would it be rude if we went outside?" Drake asked when Josh left
"Yes. What has Josh done to you recently that's got you not wanting to be in the same
room as him?"
"Nothing. Isn't it weird? He hasn't done a damn thing other than be Josh. Which makes
me feel like a bad person. Well the changing lunch schedule is a pretty strange thing to
do."
"You're not a bad person, Drake. And I'd say Josh is very lonely."
"Thanks," he kissed her hand, "It's just like every little thing he's been doing lately,
Torey, has been driving me up the wall."
"Did you talk to him about it?"
"God no."
"Maybe you should?"
"Maybe."
He wasn't about to have a fight with his girlfriend over having a heart-to-heart with
Josh. Drake knew that Josh was lonely. His relationship Mindy was on the back burner
at best, his little sister died because of an unfortunate mistake, and his mother was in
Ohio not giving a damn about him.
It made the murder of Spidey almost pale in comparison. Of course, Josh was lonely
but Drake couldn't help but be annoyed when Josh came back with his macaroni and
cheese and had to tell Torey about one of the differences between him and his brother.
"See, Drake's algebra book, listen to it, you can hear the newness." Josh cracked
it open.
"Today is the first day of school. New book." Drake took it out of Josh's hands.
"And four months from now it still won't be cracked open!" Josh laughed
No matter how true that sentiment might have been Drake was still bothered by it.
"As long as he goes to class." Torey put her hand on Drake's shoulder and gave him a
kiss on the cheek.
"Torey and I have English together."
He chose the seat next to her, but Torey didn't mind. But their teacher decided that
they should sit in alphabetical order so that was the end of that.
"Josh," Drake stood up, "That's cool."
"Where are you going?"
"To the vending machine. Would you like a candy bar, Torey?"
"No." She didn't bother him with female phrases like 'time of the month'. She could
actually eat more than one candy bar today.
"Is Drake mad at me?" Josh asked moving on to the fruit cup.
"No, he's not." But for the life her, she couldn't tell him that her boyfriend found his
brother annoying.
"I know I talk too much and get over excited, but it's good to share your life with
someone. The people you love."
Statements like that is what makes kids like Josh Nichols get wedgies in gym class
but Torey thought it was sweet.
"Yes it is."
"I mean, it's our senior year and then after that college! We'll all rule the campus."
College?
It wasn't that Drake couldn't get into a college. He certainly was smart but he didn't feel
like applying himself to do the work that gets you into a good school. With this being
their senior year because of not coming from a rich and connected family he'd have to
start off in a two-year junior college program if he wanted his Bachelor's Degree.
Because for Drake Parker it was all about performing his music and not being in a
classroom all day to prove himself to the world.
Torey was relived when Josh got up to talk to one of his favorite teachers.
"Drake," Torey stood up, "Let's go for a walk."
"What's wrong? Did Josh say something to you while I was gone?"
He could sense something from the moment he returned. They decided to go out of the
side doors and sit on the concrete block.
"Yeah, but not anything bad. He's kind of under the impression that we're all going to
college together."
"What? Where in the Hell did that thought come from?"
"I don't know. That's what he told me."
"Torey, he knows I don't want to go to college. Sure Mom and Dad kind of throw hints
around, but that's what parents are supposed to do."
He was dreading the day when Torey left for college. They never talked about where
she was going. Drake hoped that Torey's choices were schools all on the
West coast.
"Whatever gave him this idea?"
"I don't know, Drake, but as I said before this you really should talk things over with
him."
The bell rang but neither one of them got up.
"I know you are right, honey. And the sooner the better."