Highschool Strangers - Chapter 2

     The final bell rings, ending the school day. I pack my math work into my bag and walk out of the classroom. As I'm walking my usual route home, a familiar voice calls my name.

     "Acheron!" I turn to see Lukas running towards me, "You go this way home too?"

     "Yes." I say hesitantly. I continue walking and Lukas begins to walk beside me, matching my pace. He doesn't say anything but I can feel his gaze on me. Almost like he is waiting for me to speak first, and I do. "Are you new?" I ask while turning to look at him.

     He smiles widely, exposing a chip on one of his front teeth. "I am, I just moved here from Jonesborough, Tennessee. My family moved 'cause of some issues back where we used to live."

     I wonder what these "issues" could be but I don't pry, not wanting to create unnecessary drama. Instead, I ask, "what was it like there?"

     "It was.. nice," he says with slight hesitation. "But o'course not everythin' can last forever." His gaze drops down to his shoes and he starts messing with his fingers. Before I can say anything, he perks back up.

     "Anyway, I go down this road here, I'll see ya tomorrow." He says, waving goodbye as I continue walking down the street.

     When I get home, I immediately go to my room on the second floor. I put my headphones on to drown out the shouting of my parents. I fall backwards onto my bed, listening to a slow song. Staring at the ceiling, I can't help but crack a smile. See ya tomorrow, I couldn't wait.