The front door of the old house closed with a solid thud behind me.Inside, the quiet hung thick, like calm water after a storm.I went straight to the kitchen. The fridge was big, mostly empty, and hummed loudly in the silence. I took out a cold can of soda. The metal felt good against my palm.
I popped the tab with a sharp fizz and took a long sip as I walked through the living room and out the back door. The lawn was wide and green. In the middle of it, facing the setting sun, was a big, comfortable-looking outdoor sofa. I walked over, put my can down on the wide arm, and sank into the cushions with a sigh. I put one arm along the back of the sofa and took another drink.
Peace. Inner Peace after the school and Caroline's little drama.I just sat there, watching the sky turn orange and pink.
I let out a short, quiet laugh. Caroline. She was just… a lot.I shook my head and took another sip. Thinking about it would just tire me out. I had to let it go.
I picked up the TV remote from the classic wooden table beside the sofa. I clicked on the flat screen mounted under the porch roof. I found a music channel playing soft, instrumental songs. No words, just calm sounds. I leaned back, closed my eyes for a minute, and let the quiet music and the soda's cool sweetness wash the school day away.
***
The next morning, the sun was warm. I walked through the main gate of Mystic High, my bag hanging from one shoulder. My hands were in my pockets.I stopped by a bench, not ready to go inside yet. Above the bench, an ancient oak tree spread its branches like a protective shield, its shadow shifting slowly over the worn brick pavement.
I tilted my face up, letting the fresh, warm light fall on my skin. I took a deep breath. The air smelled of cut grass and the promise of a new day. For a moment, it was just me—a guy taking a breath before the plunge into another day of classes.
Movement at the gate caught my eye. I looked over.
Elena and Bonnie were walking in together through the same gate I'd just used. Bonnie was talking, her hands moving. Elena was listening, but her eyes were on the ground, a slight frown on her face.
I watched them for a second, then quickly looked away at a distant section of the oak. I didn't want to be caught staring. But I could hear their footsteps on the pavement growing closer.
Then I heard a pause in their conversation.
"Hey."
I turned my head. Bonnie was looking right at me. She had a small, friendly smile. Elena stopped walking and turned to see who Bonnie was talking to. Her eyes found me. There was no smile, just a quiet, curious look.
I lifted my hand in a simple wave. "Hey."
They changed direction and walked over to me. Bonnie's smile got a little bigger. "First day survivor?" she asked.
"Barely," I said, and she laughed.
I held out my hand. "I'm Alex."
She shook it firmly. "Bonnie." Her grip was warm and sure.
Then I turned to Elena. I held my hand out to her too. She looked at it for a half-second, then took it. Her hand was smaller than Bonnie's, and warmer. She gave it a light shake.
"Elena," she said. She looked up and met my eyes directly.Her eyes were a deep brown, and up close like she is hiding her sadness showing only her fake smile through her eyes.
"Well,now you already know my name," I said, letting go of her hand.
She nodded, a tiny movement. Bonnie jumped in, her voice cheerful. "So, did you like it here?"
I gave a small smile. It was the polite, new-kid smile. "Yes," I said. "It's good. Quiet. Different from the city." My eyes shifted from Bonnie to Elena as I said it.
Elena was just looking at me, that same quiet, studying look. She opened her mouth like she was going to say something.
The bright, loud voice came from my right. I didn't even have to look. Caroline was power-walking toward us, a huge smile on her face. She was wearing a pale yellow sweater that seemed to glow in the sun.
Elena and Bonnie turned. Caroline marched right into the middle of our little circle. She threw an arm around Bonnie's neck and then Elena's, pulling them both into a side-hug. She was still looking at me.
"Did you already meet my lovely friends?" Caroline asked, her tone playful but with an edge.
I looked right back at her, keeping my face neutral. I let a bit of a funny, challenging tone into my voice. "Well," I said slowly. "Now they are also my friends."
Bonnie let out a real laugh. Elena's lips twitched, almost into a smile. Caroline's smile stayed fixed, but her eyes flickered. She'd made her move, and I'd gently batted it back. She unwrapped her arms from her friends.
"Well, of course," she said, smoothing her sweater. "The more the merrier."
For a second, we just stood there in an awkward little group. The morning sun was getting warmer. I could hear other students laughing by the lockers.
Then the bell rang—a loud, jarring buzz that shattered the moment.
Caroline jumped, as if she'd genuinely forgotten where she was."Chemistry!" she said."Don't want to be late for Professor Snell, otherwise he'll give you detention just for coming late in his class!"
She pulled her arm from Elena and Bonnie and fastly toward the building. Before she rounded the corner, she paused and gave Alex a sharp, possessive look. "See you after the class."
I nodded. "See you."
I picked up my bag from where I'd dropped it by the bench. Since we all had history together, I followed Elena and Bonnie toward the building, the silence between us now comfortable and easy,filled with the unspoken anticipation of the day ahead.
***