Dear Journal-
First day of sophomore year.
And... Things are going to change this year. For better or for worse, things are going to change. Not just because of Varian, but... Well, I don't know, really.
Anyways, I'm pretty excited for this year. Things are kind of looking up now. No longer am I the awkward, gangly freshman I once was. Instead, I'm now a confident, gangly sophomore.
Oh! I nearly forgot: half of my classes will be shared with Varian this year. The other half, Varian's with Craig and I'm alone.
I respect the man... But, even as his friend and roommate, I have to admit that I'm excited to see if he's got any crazy antics up the sleeve of that corny science t-shirt of his...
-Jonah
Jonah was the first one to finish his breakfast. He excused himself and headed out to open campus for his usual time of self-reflection. He let his mind wander a little bit as he took a seat on the edge of the central fountain.
Often, he let his thoughts flow free until one thought, one sole memory, caught. But today, nothing came. He tried to force himself into focusing on a memory, any obscure thought, but it was all for naught.
He decided to focus on the fountain, on its constant cascade, on the way it sparkled in the mid-morning light. It wasn't what he'd hoped for, what he'd planned on, but it was better than nothing.
Jonah had been staring at the fountain for less than a minute when he saw a figure in his periphery. Immediately, he knew who it was.
"Hey, Pipsqueak," he said, "are you excited for your first day at Corona High?"
The freshman girl shrugged, sending her auburn waves flying. "I- I guess so."
"You've got nothing to be scared about, Viola," Jonah whispered, gently nudging her shoulder with his, "it's not that bad. Besides, you've got me. And Varian. And Craig."
Viola pulled a face, sticking her tongue out. "Craig scares me."
Jonah laughed. "I know he does."
A bell from across the campus rang and they both shot up to their feet.
"I'm guessing that means class is starting?"
Jonah grinned. "And here you were thinking you'd never catch on."
"Oh, shut up," Viola shot back, smirking, "I'm gonna grab a drink at the cafe. See you at lunch?"
"Yeah," he said, giving her a little side hug, "see you then."
"So... Was that, like, your girlfriend or something?" Varian asked Jonah as soon as he slid into his chair for geometry, "the girl with the auburn hair by the fountain, I mean."
Jonah shook his head. "Nah, that's just Viola. We've known each other longer than I've known Craig, actually. She's like my little sister, I guess. She's a freshman."
Varian nodded, looking about to say something when yet another bell rang and a teacher entered, signaling the start of class.
