Something New

2

Meghan's POV:
On the first day back, I woke up early and got ready. I texted Luke that I'd swing by on my way to school to drop off breakfast for him and the boys. When I walked downstairs, Jack was already up fixing himself something to eat.

"Good morning." I said to him before opening the cupboard and pulling out a to go cup. I poured myself some coffee and told Jack I'd see him later. I drove down to a nearby bakery and picked up a few fresh bagels before heading over to Luke's house.

I assumed Luke wasn't awake yet when I texted him that I was here so I let myself in using the spare key Ashton gave me. I set the bagels out on a plate with a note before going upstairs. I went into Luke's room and saw him sprawled out on his bed in only underpants. I sat on the edge and shook him.

He propped his head up and turned around to face me." Morning." I said before he dropped his head back down onto the pillow and groaned." Okay, well I'll be back around four so please be up by then and there's a stack of bagels in the kitchen." I told him before kissing him on the shoulder." I love you." After I said that he groaned which I took as him saying it back.

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"Good morning." I said to Brittany as I walked up to the Lunch table all the cheerleaders sat at before homeroom.

"Hey, sorry to leave as soon as you get here but I just came to drop off Marcus and say hi to my girls." She explained.

"Wait Marcus didn't graduate?" I asked.

"Nope. He failed his state tests so he has to retake senior year." Brittany explained before pulling me aside." Now I know it's a lot to ask but he's going through a really hard time after the loss of Connor so if you could, please try and befriend him."

"Of course. I'll do whatever I can." I replied before she left. I took her seat and continued listening to the story of Ellie's summer.

After homeroom and on my way to first period, Bridget called me." hey! How's the first day?"

"Barely started yet but I miss you. It's so boring without you here." I replied." How's college?" I asked. Instead of leaving for school she attends the community school a few blocks from the house and her first class started at six in the morning.

"I hate it but I don't care. The only reason I signed up for early classes was so I could go straight to the boy's house afterwards and hangout with Michael all day." She explained.

"Gotcha. I gotta run but I'll talk to you later." I told her before hanging up and going on to first period.

When I walked into World Issues, I saw my teacher holding out a clipboard assigning people their seats for the semester.

"Name?" He asked.

"Last name is Irwin." I replied. He pointed to the desk in the third row surrounded by other seniors I recognized from previous classes. I couldn't tell you their names but I could easily get along with them as if we were best friends.

When class got started, Mr. Turner got started right away by handing out a textbook to everyone and assigning tonight's homework before going over the basics of the first chapter.

By the end of class, my brain felt fried and it was only first period. The day went on and when seventh period rolled around, I was practically a zombie.

When the bell for sixth rang, I got up from my desk and checked to see where I was going next; study hall. I headed to the cafeteria and claimed a seat and got to work.

"Hey, this seat taken?" I looked up to see Marcus. I shook my head no and he slid into the seat across from me.

We didn't talk much but Brittany's words kept replaying in my head about being his friend. Why did I agree to this? He was Connor's best friend and after I dumped Connor, I knew I'd be facing some hatred from his friends.

"I didn't see you at the funeral last week." I commented. He looked up from his phone and did a double take.

"Excuse me?"

"Why weren't you at the funeral?" I asked again.

He stayed quiet for a moment before saying," I couldn't do it." He said.

"He was your best friend." I snapped." How could you not go to his fucking funeral?! We had such an unhappy relationship and I still went-"

"I was on the phone with him when it happened!" He yelled, standing up from his seat. The class advisor shushed him and kids stared as he sat back down. He collected his stuff and walked out.

For a few minutes I looked blankly at the wall as other kids looked around at each other, whispering, and not knowing what to do.

When class ended I roamed the halls in search of Marcus and my first instinct was to check the locker room. I walked in and thankfully the football team was meeting in the weight room.

In the back lunged over the chair was Marcus sobbing into an old jersey.

"I'm sorry." I said, catching his attention.

"Please just go, I don't want anyone seeing me like this." Marcus replied, turning further away from me.

"Too bad, because I'm not going anywhere." I sat down next to him and nudged him until he scooted over enough for me not to fall off." Being sad isn't such a bad thing. Nobody expects you not to be upset."

"You don't get it. I can't unhear that conversation; what he said, the horn from the other car, and worst of all the scream from when the cars collided. Even in collision the phone call continued and I kept screaming into the phone asking if he was okay but when I heard the sirens I had to hang up. Later that night I saw it on the news and it announced his death. I feel like if I had called a few hours later instead of when he was driving, he'd still be alive."

"You can't blame yourself. I saw the news report; he died because the other car lost control and hit him. It had nothing to do with him but he happened to become the victim in all this." I told him." It's not your fault. I've seen connor take phone calls a million times while driving, it was practically a talent of his."

Marcus just started sobbing even harder." I'm sorry."

"Its okay, I'm right here." Not that it's any of my business but Brittany should be doing this and not me. I don't hate Marcus but she's his sister and if one of Ashton's best friends died-god forbid- I know I'd be there one hundred percent of the time until he felt better. If I was in Brittany's or their parents situation, I would've just let Marcus finish school online at home instead of him having to put on a brave face every morning for school.

But it's none of my business.