Chapter 2

Since my little morning "incident," things were going fairly decent, regarding the fact that it was the first day of school. In homeroom, I was lectured on the school handbook. All the rules and regulations, PDA's, homework, detention, all that boring stuff that they say you need to know, but you really don't. It's instinct, you could say. Or is it just that nobody really gives a damn anymore? I'm betting on the latter.

Next was chemistry class. Learning about CHEMICALS! I've never really understood the point of chemistry. Why do I care about chemical bonds and how elements react with each other? I'm not going to become a rocket scientist, you know. As I sat there, paging through the brand new chemistry book, lingering on certain pages that seemed of interest to me, I couldn't help but think. Think about how fucked up I was. Why I didn't have any friends. Although I had thought about this so many times before, right now it seemed more important than all the other times. Why today? Why now? I sat there, staring at the page in front of me, analyzing my thoughts, and then decided to forget about it for now. I mean, what could possibly be the significance of it right now? The bell rang with a hollow ting and I slowly sat up, in a daze. I pushed in my chair, gathered my things, and then quickly walked out of the door to my next class. The hallway was doused with students bustling to get around before the next bell rang. Being the loser I am, I take my time. I don't see the use in rushing. It just wastes my well earned energy. I laugh to myself, 'Well earned energy, my ass. All that caffeine you consume. It'll get you killed one day.'

I glanced at my class schedule, noting which room I was headed to next. Room 1258, drawing class. I've always had a special talent for drawing. I can't do much of anything else. I won't spend my free time doing it, but nonetheless, I do enjoy it. I walked through the door, enjoying the sunshine brought in through the windows and the feeling of warmth that the room filled me with. That's how I felt every single time I walked through those doors. I waved at Ms. Fisher as I walked past her desk, cluttered with numerous art supplies and papers. It was chaotically organized, just the way I liked it. God, I love this woman. She's one of the only teachers here that I can actually relate to on a regular basis. She makes this place tolerable.

"Hello Aiden! Sweetheart, I've missed you over the summer," she exclaimed as she looked me in the eyes and smiled enthusiastically. She had a very lovely face, and chocolate brown eyes that felt so warm and comforting when she laid her gaze on you. My mother died when I was young. I live with my father now. It's not much of an improvement either, if you ask me. But every time I'm with Ms. Fisher, she is what I picture my mom as. Warm, loving, interesting, understanding. A picture-perfect version of what you want, what should be, but you don't have. Oh well. I can dream.

I looked back at her and grinned, "I've missed you as well, Ms Fisher. Summer's not as good when I don't get head on lessons from my favorite teacher." So what, I'm her teacher's pet. I don't care. Yeah, people make fun of me for it, but fuck them.

"Yes, of course. You can take a seat anywhere, sweetheart," she gently said as she motioned with her hand around the room. When I actually took the time to look around the room, I noticed a new boy. A boy I have never seen before. And trust me, this is a small school, small town. Everybody knows each other. Everybody knows everybody else's business. But somehow, this little detail about someone new moving into town had slipped my ears. Though, from what I could tell, he was rather short. He also dressed a lot like me, but had very interesting hair. It was black and red, and styled so differently than I had ever seen. Bits and pieces stuck up all over and it was combed so that if he didn't brush it away with his hand, it would cover one eye. I thought it was amazing, for I hadn't ever seen anything like it in my life. Mind you, Middleton, the town where I live, is rather sheltered from the rest of the world. Yeah, we get the papers, but I find it a waste of time to read about the struggles the rest of the world is having, when I am having enough struggles of my own. This boy troubles me a bit, in all honestly. I analyzed his face, noting every line and curve of it. What struck me most were the two rings he had in his lip. I found myself short of breath. 'Pull yourself together, man,' I said to myself.

He was sitting there alone, perfect. I hesitated for a moment, deciding if I should sit down across from him or not. I wanted to so bad, but I didn't want to scare him off. What the hell am I talking about? I was beginning to shake now. 'God damn it, just sit down by him already, you dumbass,' I told myself intently. I relearned how to move my feet and put one in front of the other towards him. I can't believe I was going to do this. I have courage? Since when? I don't recall being so straightforward. I walked to the stool sitting across the table from him. I pulled it out from under the pockmarked table, and sat down on it. My breathing was so sharp, I thought I might hyperventilate. 'Settle down, you're fine,' I voiced to myself. I could do this. "H-H-Hi. My name is Aiden. I've never seen you around before."

He looked up at me, curious, wondering why some weird, lanky guy in an Iron Maiden t-shirt had sat across from him. He smiled, and it was gorgeous. "I just moved here from Philadelphia. But, where are my manners? My name is Sonny," he said. His voice was so . . . beautiful. That was the only way to describe it. He extended a pale, but structured hand. I took it firmly and shook it. He had a nice handshake, if I say so myself. He had a nice everything so far.

"Philadelphia, eh? That's a long way away from little Middleton, Idaho. But it's very nice to meet you." Where was I getting these social skills from? Usually I stutter like it's nobody's business, especially around cute guys like Sonny. I don't know what was happening to me. I had this new-found confidence around him.

"It's nice to meet you too. But, my mother got tired of the city life and wanted to find something more desolate and quiet. I'm not quite sure if I like it yet though. I was accustomed to the big city. But we'll see," he elaborated. I liked everything about him, instantly. There was just something about him that I couldn't quite explain, but could feel. The rest of the class period, we discussed numerous topics like bands we like, drawing, and playing guitar. I'd have to say, it was one of the best conversations I've had in my life. I've never felt so connected to someone my own age. I've always been able to better get along with adults. It's a maturity thing, I think. But Sonny seemed mature enough to me. And I liked it. A lot.

Suddenly, the bell rang. I jumped, for I wasn't expecting it. Sonny smiled and I couldn't help but smile back. "Well, I guess this is it," Sonny said with a disappointed look on his so lovely face.

"Yes, well, it was great talking to you. I enjoyed it."

That lovely smile of his flashed across his face and he looked at me and said, "I enjoyed it too. A lot. So, I guess I'll talk to you tomorrow?" His expression was full of curiosity and longing, which made me slightly smile.

"Of course," I exclaimed, and turned around and headed to my next class with thoughts of Sonny running back and forth through my mind.