The New KISS High School

Ch 1: Here We Go Again (Bruce)

I let out a sigh, pulling into the senior lot and waiting for the gates to open. Ironic that I was back here just in time to finish up school and leave. I had switched schools to Elder High after sophomore year fully intending to stay there until I graduated, and yet here I was, back at W. Lester High School at the start of senior year.

"Well, could be worse," I muttered to myself, grabbing my backpack and heading off in search of my locker. "At least I know people here." I walked to the 400 wing, looking at the piece of paper in my hand. Even numbered locker, meaning I was on the bottom. Biting back a sigh, I moved down the hall before drawing to a halt. There was already someone in front of the locker and I wracked my brain, trying desperately to remember his name. I knew I had seen him before, he was like half my height and also half hair, there weren't too many people like him at school. Or in general, to be honest. 

He turned, giving me a confused look. "Can I help you?" "I'm just waiting. I've got the bottom locker," I said with a shrug. "Oh here we can swap then, you take the top locker," he said, handing me the paper with his combination on it without a second thought. My face immediately went red and I shook my head, trying to hand it back. "No no we don't have to do that it's fine, I'll--" "You've gotta be at least six feet tall, I barely passed five and a half. Shut up and take the top locker," he said, giving me a small smile. 

"6'3," I mumbled, swapping papers with him, and he let out a low whistle. "Damn! You're even taller than my friend, he's also obnoxiously tall. Actually, most of my friends are. Maybe I'm just short," he mused. "Oh I'm Eric by the way! Are you new here?" "Uh, kinda. I'm Bruce, I was here freshman and sophomore but I left junior year." "Welcome back! Sorry I don't remember you, my memory's awful. Do you know people here already?" he asked. "Yeah, I've got a couple friends," I said, stuffing textbooks into my new locker. 

"Damn Eric, there you are. You bring me breakfast like you said?" I felt my eyes widen at the sound of the familiar voice, turning from my locker to find someone I most definitely did remember from Lester in the middle of ruffling Eric's hair. He gave me an equally startled look. "Oh! Damn, Bruce?" he asked, and I nodded. "Hey Gene. Been...awhile," I said, turning back to my locker. "Yeah. Wasn't expecting to see you again, to be honest. Welcome back though!" "Thanks," I said, at last shutting my locker and stepping aside. "All yours," I said to Eric. He gave me a smile, popping open his locker. 

"Thanks! And Gene when in regards to your breakfast yes I did get you something but also I kinda forgot it was for you and ate it," he said sheepishly. "Eric! I didn't get a chance to eat yet today!" "Aw it's only 7:30 in the morning, I skip breakfast all the time," Eric muttered. "At least I asked Ace to get me something too," Gene muttered. "As if Ace is even gonna show up to school on time," Eric said, jumping to his feet. "Now come on, I'll get you something from the vending machine so you can stop complaining. Bruce you wanna come with?" he asked.

"Uh, that's alright, I told one of my other friends I'd meet up with him this morning. Thanks though," I  said, feeling my face go red. "Have fun then, I'll see you around!" he said, giving me a wave before walking off with Gene, who hadn't bothered to say goodbye. I watched them leave, feeling a small smile spread across my face. Eric was nice, and I was fairly certain I was going to enjoy being in the locker above his. 

Before I could even set off to go look for him, a familiar blond rounded the corner, giving me a wide smile that made his baby blue eyes light up. "Bruce! There you are!" he said, walking over and giving me a hug. I smiled, tugging at his headband. "That can't be dress code," I teased. He let out a sigh, pulling off his bandana and stuffing it in his backpack. "Oh shut up. But anyway, glad to be back?" he asked. I shrugged, shouldering my backpack. "I'm kinda impassive either way to be honest. It'll be fun to go to school with you again though!" I said, and he very happily returned my smile.

"It will! You need help getting to your first class?" "Eric, I went to school here for two years. I still know my way around," I said, raising an eyebrow. "You know what, just for that I won't hang out with you," he said, sticking his tongue out at me. "But anyway are you in calc AB or B--" "BC, unfortunately," I said with a sigh, but his eyes lit up. "Oh perfect so am I! First period, right?" "Unfortunately. Do you know who else is in that class?" I asked. I could've sworn I could remember the other Eric being in my math class back in sophomore year, but it was two years ago so I wasn't entirely positive, but I couldn't stop myself from hoping he was.

"Oh yeah! Well I mean I know everyone in that class, but the other Eric is, he's fun, Gene's in that class too, he's...he's Gene, you know how he is. And I don't know if you remember Tommy Thayer but he's in that class too!" Eric said, and I smiled as his cheeks immediately grew pink just at the mention of his name. "You still have a crush on him?" I asked. "Maybeee. But he's taken, so it doesn't matter," he said with a shrug. "Now come on, we've gotta get to class, I don't wanna be late on the first day of senior year." "Well it's not like I do either," I said with a laugh, letting him grab my wrist and drag me down the hall.

So maybe being back wouldn't be all bad.