Luke

Chapter 18

My alarm rang to life. I flung my arm over and stopped it, laying still in bed for a couple more minutes. I forgot it was Monday. 

I rolled out of bed and went into the bathroom to brush my teeth, entering my room again and opening my closet. Searching my closet, I found a black sweater and pulled it off the hanger, throwing it onto the bed and going to my drawer, yanking out a pair of black jeans and putting my legs into them, buttoning the jeans and putting on the sweater. I fixed it once I put it on, walking to the mirror and fixing my hair. It was extremely messy, so I just threw on a beanie. My eye was still black and I frowned. I didn't care anymore. Let the people look at me. I'll welcome it. 

I grabbed my bag and left the house, taking out a cigarette and starting my journey to school. Strangers stared at my face as I passed, so I kept my head down. 

The campus welcomed me when I stepped onto it, but, as always, I wasn't welcome. I hated school. I despised it. I should have left earlier.

I went to my locker and changed out some binders. I was startled when my locker door suddenly closed, but was relieved when I saw the familiar hand of Jay. 

"You scared the shit out of me," I noted, opening my locker again. "And don't go shutting people's lockers. That's rude, little lady."

"Yeah, yeah, I gotta mind my manners." She reached into her backpack slung in front of her, pulling out a camera. "Remember this thing?"

I looked to her. "Oh yeah. I haven't seen that thing in a while."

"Quick, say something. I'm recording."

I frowned, covering the camera lens. That's usually what I did when Jay was making one of her weird videos. She shoved my hand off. "Luke Wright," she started. "Now age 19 in his natural habitat."

"This isn't my natural habitat. This is Hell."

"Now in Hell," she corrected. "With a black eye that he isn't covering up." She looked away from the camera, her tone of voice changing from news-caster to her original voice. "Why aren't you wearing the sunglasses?"

"I didn't feel like it."

"It looks like shit."

"Yes, Jay. We established that."

She went back to the camera, continuing her news-caster personality. "So what are your plans for today, Mr. Wright?"

"Getting high and masturbating," I chimed with bitter sarcasm, closing my locker door. 

"Ha ha."

"I have nothing planned. My life is boring."

"Not as boring as mine," her voice was normal again. "Well, right now anyways. My parents are home." She turned off the camera. 

"Ew."

"Tell me about it. Let's walk."

We started to class. "So we won't be able to hang out for a while, right?"

"Only for a couple days. It's just a quick check-in before they leave again. Then we can go back to getting high and masturbating."

I walked her to her class and went to bio.

The day passed by slowly. Nothing interesting happened in classes, at least what I knew about. I didn't really pay attention. You could tell by my grades. 

The bell rang to switch classes and I packed my bag, walking down the hall to the next class. I passed Brad, who looked exceptionally well that day. I rounded the corner, entering my next class. Jay walked in, sitting next to me. She was my partner.