Sunday

Late Sunday night, I sat at my desk in my room. My dad wanted me to start reading a book on neuroscience to get me ready for college, but I was writing stories in my journal notebook instead.

If you didn't get the idea already, I don't want to be a neuroscientist. That's only what my dad wants me to be. "It has good pay" he tells me, and "you'll be set for life". But he doesn't realize that a life like that will make me miserable. What I really want to do is become a creative writer, or even just an English teacher. But my dad wouldn't even let me finish that sentence, let alone let me go off to chase my dreams.

My dad knocked on my door.

"Can I come in there, sport?"

I quickly shut my notebook and hid it away in my dresser, opening to a random page in my neuroscience book.

"Yeah come on in, dad."

He opened the door, holding two more thick books.

"I saw these at the library. Thought you'd might like them!"

He put the books down on my desk, pleased with himself. He smiled at the fact I was actually reading a stupid neuroscience book.

"You know, you're gonna be so ahead of everyone when you get to college. Starting to prepare your Sophomore year will help you a lot more than you realize!"

I forced a smile, and he bought it. I'd gotten better at masking my real feelings ever since I was ten, when my mom and dad first told me they were getting a divorce. My mom was always so sad, and I didn't want to contribute to any more sadness on her part.

"Yeah dad. It's gonna be great."

He slapped my shoulder. Ow.

"I knew you'd think so! Oh, by the way, I'm ordering Chinese food tonight if you want some."

Chinese. The food we always got. Dad never really knew how to cook. That was always mom's thing. Ever since she moved to Massachusetts, he didn't even attempt to cook and just stuck to takeout.

"Actually, dad, I'm not that hungry. You can eat my portion for me." I smiled

"Alright, bud. Keep studying hard!"

He left my room, shutting the door behind him.

I looked down at the thick books he had brought me. Principles of Neural Science and NEUROSCIENCE - Exploring the Brain 4th Edition sat on my desk where my dad had left them. I opened the The Principles to the first page, and began reading. Or, tried to, at least. After about five minutes, I had to set the book down, for fear of dying of boredom.

I sluggishly got ready for bed, throwing my clothes I wore that day in my hamper in the closet. Of course due to my terrible aim, I missed. It landed on the pile of clothes beside my hamper that I've been meaning to actually put in my hamper, but I haven't really gotten around to caring just yet. I flopped down in bed and began to think to myself.

What would my dad say to me if I told him I didn't want to go into neuroscience? Would he really be as mad at me as I think he will? I've tried bringing it up before, but it never went over well. Usually it was him lecturing me about how he wanted to go into the arts when he was younger and major as a saxophonist. And how once he realized that his dreams were too unrealistic, he became a cardiologist. Says his whole life changed for the better.

That may have been my dad, but it wasn't me. I know he's just trying to look out for me and give me the life he never had at his age, but I just detest the idea. The guilt of me denying his kindness hurts my heart more than I can imagine. Am I that greedy?

I end the night off how I've been ending it off for quite a while now. I silently cry myself to sleep.

———

Monday

I woke up the next morning feeling drained. I was really thirsty from all the crying last night, so the first thing I got up to do was get a drink of water. Once my thirst was quenched, I went to my closet and picked out my usual khaki pants. I took two polos off their hangers and began to decide which one I wanted to wear. On the one hand, I was feeling dark and particularly sad today, so the black polo was pretty tempting, but I eventually decided on light blue. Even though I was sad, I wasn't going to let my mood ruin anyone else's day.

I threw on the light blue polo and put the black one back in my closet. I tied my light grey cardigan my grandpa used to wear around my neck.

Grabbing my backpack, I was just about to head out, when I decided my dad would like it if I brought at least one of the books with me. I grabbed the book with the most pages and began to walk out, when I saw my journal sticking out of the drawer. I knew I should start getting around to actually reading the Neuro book, but nevertheless I grabbed my journal and hid it away in my backpack.

Walking down the stairs into the kitchen, I decided I wasn't too hungry that particular morning. I walked straight past my dad, who per usual, was sitting at the counter drinking coffee.

"Not gonna stop for breakfast, sport?"

I shook my head. "No, but thank you. I don't wanna be late for the bus."

"Alright," he said, "don't do anything I wouldn't do!"

I gave him a quick smile and went out the door.

As I walked down the sidewalk, I noticed that the house next to mine had been sold. Probably to some old lady. I hope she had a lot of cats!

I finally reached the end of my block. Per usual, there were around seven or eight students at my stop. But out of my side vision, I noticed a ninth kid walk down to the other side. I'd never seen him before. His attire was like mine, khakis and a polo, but his shirt was black, and he wore a dark blue tie. Seemed like something a teacher would wear. He sure looked really smart. His charcoal black hair was combed carefully and neatly to rest on top of his thick, square black glasses. Behind his glasses was a pair of dark grey, maybe even black eyes. No emotion or thought seemed to cross his face. He just looked, empty.

I eventually decided to tell myself that it was because it was the morning, and everyone was tired. Speaking of everyone, I began making an effort to do my daily routine of saying "hi!" To everyone. All the kids seemed to enjoy it, whether they were sheepish about it or they finally woke up and smiled.

Once I said hi to everyone, I left them all to talk to one another and I went to go say hi to the new boy.

"Oh, I haven't seen you around here before. Are you new?"

I felt awfully stupid for asking if he was new. Of course he was new! He had that nervous aura about him, and besides, nobody seemed to recognize him either.

"Yes, I transferred here from Stroudsburg high a few days prior. This is my first day."

He was pretty formal. I kinda liked it. It was a bit of fresh air from the lack of manners some people had around the school. Though, I had and have no right to judge them. I smiled brightly at him, and for the first time in a while, it felt genuine.

"Well, if you need a tour around the school, I'm around to help!"

He just nodded quickly, his gaze never seeming to leave mine. "Thank you, that would be quite satisfactory. What is your name?"

"I'm Patton, but my friends just call me Pat!"

I said friends, though in reality, only one other person calls me Pat. That was my best friend. Everyone else in the school just calls me Patton. I don't know if it's just cause I'm "popular" or they just don't want to be my friend.

The boy extended his arm out to me for a hand shake.

"I'm Logan. It's a pleasure to meet your acquaintance."

Logan.

"What a cool name!"

I'd always liked that name. My favorite superhero as a kid was Wolverine. I used to have a phase where every day, I would beg my mom to change my name to Logan so I could be just like Wolverine. Of course, she said no. Even now, though, the name still holds a nostalgic part of my heart.

I shook his hand, noticing that his palms were slightly sweaty. I realized how nervous he must be to be going to a new school. I know I would be.

I was about to ask him if he really would like a tour around, when the bus slowed to a stop in front of us. I got on just before Logan, and was going to plan on sitting with him. But one of my not-so-close friends urged me to sit next to him so he would look cool and probably get attention.

Too kind to say no, I sat down beside him. I pretended to get something out of my backpack as I watched Logan wipe down the seat with a wipe. Once finished, he sat down neatly and put the wipe in a bag. He then lifted his eyes to the few strangers that were staring at him with judging eyes. I watched as he self consciously adjusted his glasses and turned to look back out the window.

I felt bad for him. I wanted to move and sit next to him instead, but the bus was already moving. I decided I'd give him a tour once we got to school.

———

Logan's p.o.v

The bus ride was longer than expected. Many children my age got on at countless different stops. Despite this being quite the rural part of town, kids just kept loading onto the bus.

I watched the trees and the fields of wheat go by, occasionally spotting a cow or a chicken coop. Finally, we reached the more urban part of town and drove into the parking lot of the school.

As the bus unloaded, I looked around. People were already huddled in their own groups. I knew nobody would want to welcome me, but that fact wasn't entirely bothersome to me.

I began to get a bit nervous again. Unsure of where to go to receive my schedule, where any of my assigned classes will be. Mentally, I was a mess.

I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned, expecting to get a punch to the face (happens to me more often than you would think). To my surprise, however, it was Patton. He smiled what seemed to be a contagious smile. His curly, honey blonde hair went in all directions atop his head. Through his thick glasses were his eyes. Specifically, his irises were light blue, maybe even aqua. And–figuratively–behind his eyes, I could see he wasn't as happy as he portrayed himself as.

"Hey! Logan, right?"

I nodded, my palms began to sweat again.

"Yes, that is me."

A single honey curl fell down below his glasses. My heart rate began to increase.

"I was wondering if you still needed a tour around the school. Since it's your first day, and all."

I nodded, and even felt something close to gratefulness.

"That would be quite–"

"Satisfactory?" he grinned, proud of himself for finishing my sentence.

"Um, y-yes. Satisfactory."

I never stutter. What on earth has gotten into me?

"Alright, follow me and I'll show you around!"

We began first, by walking to the office to grab my schedule and locker number. Fortunately for me, I suppose, I had two classes with Patton. Biology and Health/Fitness. He took me to my locker and made sure that I knew how to properly open it. He stalled a bit, talking about how he didn't know how to open his locker the first day.

Then he began showing me around the halls. First we began in the Science wing, passing the Chemistry Lab and the Biology rooms. We then moved on to the math wing, and then the English wing, and so on and so forth.

Finally, after walking around the whole school (we actually went around a few times), we sat down on a bench outside. There was ten minutes till second period at that point.

At first we just sat in complete and utter silence. Soon, however, Patton broke the silence.

"So why'd you move here?"

"There just..wasn't enough academic study there for my liking." I replied.

I don't know if he could tell if I was lying to him or not, but he simply nodded.

"I've lived here since I was born. It's not the nicest school probably, but it's where all my friends are!"

"Who are your friends?" I asked him, curious as to if he had friends who were quite as nice as him.

Instead of reading off a huge list like I'd expected him to, his expression grew..sad–for a second.

"I really only have my friend Roman...and you."

I froze.

"Me?"

He blushed and looked quickly up at me, completely and utterly embarrassed as if he had just realized what he said.

"I'm so sorry! I know we only just met, but..I don't know, I feel...safe with you."

He paused for a moment.

"I'm sorry, I know how weird I sound right now."

I stared at him, trying to figure him out. My heart rate was beating fast and my palms were still sweaty. What was this feeling? I'd never felt it before.

"You don't sound weird, I understand what you were trying to say."

His face–figuratively–lightened with hope.

"Really? You mean you'll be my friend?"

I'd never had a friend before. I knew I wouldn't know how to comfort him or do any 'guy stuff', but something in me wanted to get closer to him.

"Of course. I would quite enjoy being your friend."

He smiled a large, genuine smile, and threw his arms around me, wrapping me in a huge hug. Normally I detest affectionate contact, but with Patton, I didn't seem to mind.

———