Strung Together ~ Lrh

Chapter Two ~ August

Even though it was insanely awkward for the most part and he just left, I was intrigued. I’ve never seen him around school and he had this strange allure to him. Why am I even interested? I barely even know him.

Shouldering my bag, I got up and left the practice room early to meet up with Michael and Calum in the library. The hallways were empty except some disgusting couple making out in the hallway. I wrinkled my nose and kept on walking even though part of my disgust was actually jealousy. I have never had a real boyfriend, only those stupid three day relationships you have in middle school. Calum and Michael were my best friends, no romantic feelings whatsoever. Although, Michael and I did briefly date in kindergarten.

I smiled at the cute memory and pushed open the door to the library. Our library was anything but quiet during study hall. Students clumped around tables and desk, the basic girls gossiped and did their nails, the jocks threw crap at each other and objectified girls, but most people were helping each other cram for exams and doing last minute homework. The atmosphere sucked you in and it was impossible to escape until the period was over. I spotted Michael and Calum at a table goofing off instead of studying.

“Hey Augustus Gloop” Calum grinned as I arrived at the table. Michael and I groaned in unison. “Dude, you have the worst nicknames for people.” Michael moaned. “Stop bullying me Cliff Bar!” Calum yelped, faking offense.

I sat on the table, swinging my legs off the edge. “Do you guys know that Luke kid?” I questioned riffling through my backpack for my notebook. “Yeah,” Calum said glancing at me, “he’s in all honors classes. It’s his first day here.” I nodded and pulled out a pencil to work on my science notes. It was his first day here, that explains why I have never seen him around. “Why do you wanna know?” Michael asked, “Does Auggie have a crush?” Calum awwed and I slapped his arm. “You have slapped me twice today, woman!” Calum cried rubbing his arm. “I thought bass players were supposed to be the dark and brooding types.” I murmured turning back to my notes. “I am dark and brooding!” He shrieked. I giggled and Michael shook his head trying not to laugh at his ridiculousness.

After we calmed down a bit, Calum and Michael enveloped themselves in a conversation about All Time Low’s new album. Looking up, I half-heartedly searched for Luke amongst the crowded desks and tables. He was nowhere to be found. I was slightly disappointed but shook it off. The period was ending in a minute anyway, my favorite class was up next.

The bell rang and the crowd dispersed in a wave of sound. We parted ways when Michael went to bio, Calum went to math, and I went to AP English.

The classroom had rows of desks and smelled like old books. Every year, students donate their old books to the vast classroom library. Books lined the walls, stacked in foot high piles. I sat alone in the back row. The class was mostly lectures about our class novel, Life of Pi. I observed everyone coming into the classroom and said hi to a couple people as they walked in.

“Okay class, it’s time for me to teach you about things that you will totally need in the real world.” Mr. Taylor exclaimed sarcastically. I cracked a smile and propped my head against my elbow. The door burst open and Luke walked through, wide-eyed and obviously nervous. “I’m sorry sir, I got lost.” Luke explained, nervously laughing. “You can chill mister…” Mr. Taylor glanced at Luke’s name on his clipboard, “Hemmings. Take a seat in the back with August.”

Luke looked around and spotted me in the back row. He stared at me the entire time he made his way to the back row, his eyes holding an emotion I was uncertain of. Setting down his bag, he sat in the desk to the right of me. I felt completely awkward because I had no idea what the hell I’m supposed to say. I gave him a half smile and turned my body to face the front of the room again, reevaluating my actions for flaws. Ugh, I just know this is going to become a cringeworthy memory I’ll look back on and regret.

I was too distracted by Luke to pay attention to Mr. Taylor lecture today. “Um, August?” Luke tapped my arm and I jumped a little. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.” He smiled at me. “What’s up?” I asked crossing my legs. “We have to discuss the book but I’ve never read the book so how about you talk and I listen.” I was in the middle of summarizing Life of Pi when Luke interrupted me. “So, when did you start playing guitar?” Luke asked staring into my eyes. I looked down at my book to avoid uncomfortable eye contact. God damn it, I sat in the back to avoid awkward situations.

“Well my dad taught me when I was 7 and I’ve loved it ever since.” I explained, glancing up to see if he was listening, “Why did you move to Boston?” I asked. It was his turn to avoid eye contact with me.

I felt a little better knowing that he felt a little awkward too. “My mom found a new job here,” Luke said shrugging. Another awkward silence fell on us and we didn’t make eye contact for five minutes. Why did I ask that? That is such an awkward question. I am literally the worst human being in the world.

“Are you okay?,” Luke asked, “You look like you just stabbed a puppy or something.” I laughed and felt a little better. He smiled too, and that made me feel a lot better. “I’m fine, was just thinking about…..the television networks!” I blurted out, obviously lying. Luke raised his eyebrows at me. “Right, the television networks.” he said sarcastically. I ignored his sarcastic retorts.

I really wanted to ask him about the practice room earlier but I didn’t want to make our conversation even more awkward. He probably thinks that I’m a weirdo now anyway. The bell rang out and we were dismissed.

The rest of the day was kind of a blur of uneventful classes and math problems. Why do I even bother with this crap anymore?

After my last class of the day, I picked up my guitar in the practice room and walked home. The streets of Boston were crowded and warm. The March air was chilly when I walked out of school, going to the nearest subway station. I swiped my card and went through the turnstile to get to my platform. I liked riding the subway alone, it gave me time to think about things. I was never really alone except for the subway and the practice room. Michael or Calum were constantly with me. My dad works a lot of late hours so he isn’t home very often and my brother Aaron is at college right now. He goes to Oxford, a mathematics major. My dad and him are great at math and science while I procrastinate and pray that my math teacher forgets he assigned us homework.

The subway car was crowded with people, mostly students returning from school or adults dressed in suits talking on their phones in a professional manner. I sat down in an empty seat right next to the doors and put on my earbuds. The glorious sound of Arctic Monkeys filled my ears and I grinned. I tried to drown out my thoughts and melt into the music but one thing wouldn’t melt away. The thought of Luke.

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