In The Dark

.1.

Mature Language Warning

George wakes up to the slight shake of his bed. His face is warm and his eyelids are bright red from the sun seeping in between the blinds. He slowly opens one eye to see his friend at the foot of his bed, putting on his black Nike shoes.

"Dream?" George whispers, trying not to wake up their roommate.

Dream's head snaps over to look at George. "Oh- oh god sorry. I woke you up didn't I?" He continues to tie his shoes, slower now. "I'm going to the library. I was late yesterday so I'm leaving earlier today." He whispers.

George opens both eyes and sits up with a nod to acknowledge what Dream had said. He looks out the window and notices the sun barely peaking over the ocean. "Christ, what time is it?" 

They both jump as the bed creaks. "You guys whisper loudly." says their roommate, Bad. He climbs down the ladder of his and George's bunk and walks over to their shared closet. 

"Sorry Bad," Dream says, in his regular voice now.

George shoves his comforter off his legs as the cold air pours into his bed. He quickly shivers and notices Dream eyeing him. "What time is it?" George repeats.

"Seven," Dream answers bluntly, standing up now. "By the way, we have a room check in-" he glances at their blue schedule sheet on the door. "two hours."

George was used to room checks by now. His first year he was terrified of the teachers. He didn't like people rifling through his stuff. By now he doesn't mind. Nevertheless, he feels the need to complain. "It's only the third week. What do they think they'll find? I hate this school."

Dream lets out a quick chuckle and says, "No shit. I've been here since I was nine. 8 years in this shit hole." Bad throws a look their way. They know he doesn't like swearing, but they enjoy his reaction when they do. Dream picks up a crumpled flannel button up on the floor and throws it on while walking to the door. 

"That's mine!" George says walking over to Dream. "Give." He puts his hand out and Dream plops the jacket into his hand.

Dream huffs. "I'll help clean when I'm done studying." With that the door swings shut and cool air from the hallway is blown into George's face. 

George has been at Shore for 2  years and is back for his third. He was scared that he would make no friends his first year, but he quickly met a boy named Alex who introduced him to some other boys their age. Nick and Dream. The 4 have been best friends for 2 years now. Last year Alex adopted another boy into their now group of 5, Karl. Although George hates the school aspect of Shore, he is always eager to return. After his first year he made sure to face time his friends every day. George walked over to the large window in their room and looked outside, his breath leaving a temporary fog on the glass. The waves were small and it looked peaceful. The pink blossoms had already fallen off of the trees, leaving a colorful mush of flowers on the grass around the school. 

-

A loud bang sets off in the classroom causing a multitude of students to jump. The homeroom teacher picks up the textbook that had fallen off of a shelf and places it back in the empty spot. George had Mr. Philza as his homeroom teacher for the past 2 years. Most boys get Mr. Philza, even the younger ones. He has worked at the school for 20 years. This year there are about 70 boys in the class. George sits cross legged in between Dream and Nick. 

"Okay boys, this may be your third week here, but it is your first homeroom day," Mr. Philza announces. That's true. The first three weeks of school only consist of moving in and memorizing the school's layout. Mr. Philza sighs and looks at the familiar faces in the crowd. They know what is coming. "Time to play... get to know you games."