First Snow

Chapter 1: Luke

Chapter 1: Luke

The thing about studying philosophy is that it’s silly. You’re basically sitting around, thinking about what other people were thinking about while they sat around. It’s studying the opinions of dead guys. Don’t get me wrong, I like it as a class, and I find it entirely fascinating. I just don’t like class discussions; I don’t discuss.

The thing I’ve learned in my sixteen years of existing is that, in showing too much interest in anything (as I often do), you are singled out as “that kid.” I’m not talking about the “smart kid” or anything like that. People just tend to treat you differently when you like what you’re doing. I just don’t feel comfortable enough in school to be okay with being treated differently.

“Lucas Charlotte Quincy?”

Yes, that’s my name. Laugh it up. Okay, now breathe. Yes, it’s Lucas Charlotte Quincy.

“Here”

I know you’re still giggling.

“I’m assuming you prefer Lucas?”

“Luke.”

“Right, I’ll try to remember that one.”

I’ve often wondered: do teachers really have to call my full name? As far as I know, I’m  the only Lucas Quincy in the school. I may be the only Lucas in the school. I think they just like saying my full, unmanly name. I looked over to the seat next to mine, and Alex is, as usual, smirking at my name. I don’t know why she makes such a big deal about it. Her own name doesn’t really suit her anyway. Class ended without too much drama, first day of classes and all that. As usual, Alex came over to give me crap about, well, about crap.

“Fun class, huh, Charlotte? Or do you prefer Char now?”

“Yeah, whatever. Lunch?”

“Jeez, Luke, do you have to be so boring about this stuff? Honestly, you should be more positive about it! It’s not like you’ve got a lot of masculinity to lose, anyway.”

I’m not sure why I like hanging out with Alex, or how she decided to start hanging around me. I mean, I guess it’s the name. She heard the whole Charlotte exchange a couple of years ago in class, and decided that she needed a male friend named Charlotte.

The rest of the day passed without incident, so I’d call it a success. I went to the school’s music room and unlocked the door to the recording room. It’s sort of my after-school haven. I pulled out my guitar and started recording my latest song, since I do have a deadline to meet. Well, it’s a self-set deadline, but it still counts. I recorded for an hour, packed up my gear, and went outside to wait for Alex. I think we’ve gone to each other’s houses every single day after school for the past year and a half, and before you ask, no we aren’t together.

After Alex finished with whatever sport she had today (I always lose track of them), we headed to Casa Jacobson (Alex’s house) since my parents are out of town. Thus, well it might seem weird. Like I said, there is nothing going on between us, but when a guy and girl are alone in a house together, it feels a bit different. Plus, Alex’s parents invited me for dinner, so I won’t have to make something myself. How can I say no to such kindness? Alex and I got to her house after about ten minutes, said hi to the parents, and went up to Alex’s room.

“I guess your parents are used to me now. I think they thought you and I were together for a while,” I told Alex

She practically snorted when I mentioned it. “I’d sooner date my own sister.”

“I’m pretty sure that’s illegal. Or at least creepy.”

“Right, moving on. Sports, racing, fighting or FPS today?”

Alex is a pretty hardcore gamer, so she’s got a huge collection of games. It’s almost enough to make mine seem sad and miniscule. Almost. “Doesn’t matter, I’ll still win,” I said with a smirk.

“That so? Well, I guess I’ll just have to kick your ass and make you bow down to me.”

“Sorry, I’m not into that kind of stuff.”

“Just shut up and play.”

I guess some people might find it weird that I, by all outwards appearances, only really hang out with Alex. I mean, I have some classmates that I talk to in school, but Alex is my closest friend among them. I do have friends outside of school. I work at this studio where I help record music for videos and stuff. The guys who run it are like YouTube big-names, but they’re really nice. I haven’t talked to them a lot, but a few of the smaller names in the studio work together on mini-movies and stuff.

Lately, I’ve been getting noticed a lot more attention for my music. There were a few times when I’d feel a bit lacking in confidence about my music, but there’s this one user who comments and always reassures me. I’ve been thinking of doing more solo music, instead of all these songs for other people, but I keep thinking that I want someone singing for them.

“Hey, Alex,” I said during halftime of our current FIFA match, “can you sing?”

“Sure, if you call screeching like a cat with its tail stuck in a vacuum cleaner singing.” Oh well. It was worth a shot. She paused and looked at me quizzically. “Why do you ask?”

“I’ve been thinking of doing some music on my own or collaboratively, but I can neither sing nor write lyrics.”

“Hmm... Well, I’m sure you’ll find someone.” With that, our discussion was over, and she proceeded to beat me several times in several games. I guess that’s what you get for talking trash.