Huntington Avenue | ✓ [PV REWRITE]

Part II: Chapter 24

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Chapter 24 | ❝ Woah, look at you! ❞

Friday, December 21st, 2018 - 8:24 a.m.

❝THERE HE IS!❞ Harper boomed cheerfully with his arms outstretched.

Zach gave one of his best friends a genuine smile and approached him as the taller boy embraced him in one of his strong hugs. "Here I am!" he exclaimed.

"I'm glad you're back," he mumbled just loud enough for Zach to hear. "Seriously—all of us were really worried."

"I'm okay. Really," Zach assured him, which resulted in a firm pat on the back from Harper.

The two separated and Harper's gaze turned towards Kelsey, who had been standing next to Zach for the entire time. The two had walked into the building together like usual once more, which created a sensation of temporary nostalgia of not even a week ago. They had missed being in each other's company so much so that Kelsey even drove him to school that morning.

"I assume things between the two of you are going well?" questioned Harper with a knowing expression plastered upon his optimistic face.

Kelsey nodded while Zach blushed a bit due to the mention of it. "Yeah, they are," Kelsey responded for the both of them. "Thanks, Harper."

"Anytime, you two," he replied with a grin. "Say, I'm a pretty good relationship counselor if I do say so myself. Maybe I should start a business."

"Sure. I'm sure you'd get lots of customers," Zach chuckled at the idea.

"Ah, you're so encouraging," Harper teased and ruffled his hair. He then looked over his shoulder and noticed two familiar people approaching. "Hey, you guys!"

"Hey, yourself!" Mason returned the greeting with just as much enthusiasm. On the flip side, August said nothing but gave him a wave.

Zach was about to greet him when Mason smacked him playfully on the shoulder. "Look who's back! It's nice to see you."

"Aha, thanks, Mason!" Zach replied, stumbling a bit backwards due to his action which made him catch the quiet boy's eye. "And hello, August!"

"Hello. I'm glad you're feeling better." August revealed his soft regard.

"Thanks, August." Zach sincerely smiled in his direction. "By the way, I didn't get to mention it Wednesday, but whacking people in the head with a textbook is genius."

August was genuinely confused. "Why is everyone so obsessed with textbooks and whacking people with them?"

"It's talent, August. Talent," Mason informed him.

The teenage boy rolled his eyes from behind the lens of his glasses. "We should get to class."

"But-"