𝑰𝒏 𝑭𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒏𝒐

5 : Talking

𝕊 𝕆 𝕄 𝔼 ℝ

February 15th, 20xx

Why did Oakley look rugged? I hadn't expected him to walk into my English class today or at all. His hair seemed to be all over the place and since the principal walked in with him, I could only guess it was a fight he was involved in. But why?

"Somer, come here," she called as she moved to the back of the class.

Hopping up, I followed her. When she stopped in front of Oakley's desk, I knew what she wanted. Being her best student, I figured she would want me to help him with his project. I was already done. When it came to doing something with creative writing, it was easy for me to have the story flow out of my fingertips into the computer. Words flowed freely and every pent-up feeling was quickly released.

"So, this past week, we've been working on writing a creative short story. It doesn't have to be long, only about three pages. More than ten, I won't read," Mrs. Kepler started to explain and I zoned out. I only came back when I heard my name being mentioned. "Somer will help you if you need help so I'll let her sit in the back with you. Pepper, change seats with Somer."

Pepper quickly moved and it left her seat open. There was no one else in this class that I really talked to so it wasn't bad that Oakley was here. Would we even talk?

"Somer, let me know if you guys need anything."

I nodded at her as I grabbed my things. Sitting down next to Oakley, I noticed scratches on his face. What had happened to him?

"Where'd you get those scratches and bruises from? Did you fall or something?" I joked as I put my backpack on the ground.

"Something like that. Are Fresno people homophobic?"

Hearing the word, I knew my heart started to beat faster. There was so much associated with that word that it was almost enough to freeze me on the spot. But the heat coming in through the door from the day was enough to stop the freeze from happening.

"What? I'm not but there's going to be them regardless. Kind of sad, to be honest."

He sighed before he looked at me. Oakley's head had been down and I only noticed the scratches because they were on the side of his face. There were more but they were barely noticeable. Did he get into a fight or something?

"What's the project supposed to be about again?"

"You can write about whatever you want. It doesn't matter as long as it's school-appropriate, you can ask the teacher if you think it's not, she'll let you know."

"What are you writing about?"

"It's about this family. This girl has a twin but twins aren't allowed in this universe. Their parents died protecting them and their paternal grandparents had ended up separating them."

Blue eyes looked at me and his facial expression didn't change. He only blinked before he got up to speak with the teacher. She directed him to the computer he would be using and he logged on. After that, he didn't speak to me.

The rest of the period went by with us silently typing away.

******

"Your stories are due by Friday, it should be enough time for all of you. When the bell rings, you can go," Mrs. Kepler said as we packed our computers into their slots.

"Oakley, are you taking the bus? If so, we can take it together."

"Sure. Thanks," he mumbled.

"Did you get in a fight today? I'm sorry if I'm intruding but your face looks-"