The beanbag boys

Charlie

Dad was cooking dinner in the kitchen whilst mom set the table, I could hear them from my room but I didn't want to go down. I could hear my younger sister daisy on her phone to her friends. She was only a year and a half younger than me but she spoke like she was older.

I was terrified of going to school tomorrow, what if I didn't make any friends? What if they made fun of me? I mean I do have ADHD and I overshare and I just blurt out whatever comes to my mind. What if they think I'm weird. What if I become one of the weird kids? Oh god, I can't do this.

"Charlie!" Mom called from downstairs. I slowly made my way down the black steps my feet dragging as I did. I walked into the kitchen where my mom was resting in my dads arms as they watched both me and daisy sit down to the table the pair joining soon after.

There was no doubt my mom and dad loved each other, they met in high school and have stayed together ever since. Dad keeps telling me that I might meet a girl at school and that I could have what they have one day, but I don't believe him. Sometimes I get awkward and nervous and other times I'm just too full on. I mean I am only eleven but when I talk to girls I just get so scared.

"So Charlie are you excited for school tomorrow?" My dad asked. The words made my heart sink.
"Do I have to go? Cant I just wait a few years?" I asked shooting my parents the best puppy dog eyes I could pull. Daisy scoffed into her plate as I glared at her.
"Charlie no, you need to go, trust me once your first days out of the way it'll be fine" my mom replied in a soft voice.
"What're you scared about?" My dad asked.
"Everything dad! What's there not to be scared of, I've seen the movies! I've seen how they shove the freshmen into the lockers and maybe even lock them in there for hours!" I yelled.
My dad burst out laughing before my mom glared at him.
"Exactly, in the movies, this is real life" she chuckled.
"I'm going to get a shower" I sighed leaving the table.

"I can't believe you laughed at him like that you know he's sensitive" I heard my mom whisper yell to my dad.
"And I'm not sensitive!" I yelled slamming the bathroom door shut.

In the shower I had a lot of time to think to myself. Of how I'm going to make my day go tomorrow. Firstly, I'd wear a really sexy outfit so I'd look irresistible to anyone that laid eyes on me. Then I'd confidently walk straight through the doors and into the hallway, winking at all the juniors girlfriends so they know I'm the real deal. Then I'll sit down in my class and chuck my backpack beside me and just let everyone stare because I'm gonna look so cool. Yeah that's what I was gonna do I thought, I got into bed straight after my shower and fell asleep still piecing together my fool proof plan.

The next morning I found myself clinging onto my dads side practically in tears. Which is not how I planned it out last night. My dad was literally trying to pry me off of him by my hoodies hood.
"Charlie you need to leave me and your mom have a thing planned for today and we'll pick you up as soon as you finish yeah?" He said but I couldn't move. I was just too scared.

That was when a brown haired boy came over with a bright smile on his face.
"Hello, what's your name?" He asked.
"I-I'm Charlie" I said furrowing my eyebrows in confusion.
"I'm Harvey, I can walk in with you if you like?" He offered. I nodded and followed him towards the doors where we walked together through the hallways. I'd completely forgotten to say goodbye to my dad but I'm sure he'll be fine.

"Why does your voice do that thing?" I asked. I heard him gulp deeply and he almost looked afraid.
"Oh you mean my um-" he cleared his throat.
"My lisp" he continued.
"Is that what it's called?" I asked.
"Yeah, I've had it since I learned how to talk...I'm sorry if you can't really understand me because of it I am learning to stop I swear it won't be around forever" he said panicked. I shrugged, "it's unique" I said continuing to walk to the classroom.
"Unique" I heard him whisper to himself.

Once we walked into the classroom it was half full, we picked seats next to each-other on the back row leaving just one more seat free. I wonder who's gonna sit there? I thought. Hopefully someone cool.

The teacher walked in all bright eyed and smiley but was soon followed by a man and what looked like his son.
"Class, this is Samuel Rodriguez, he's a little late but that doesn't mean he deserves to be treated differently" she said. The black haired tanned boy looked terrified. Worse than I probably did. His dad scruffed his hair before saying goodbye. Samuel walked slowly trying to find a seat as he was followed by every pair of eyes in the room. That was when he stopped at the back and let himself plummet into the seat.

"Hi I'm Harvey and that's Charlie" Harvey introduced himself before pointing towards me, I waved and smiled at the quiet boy.
"Hi I'm Sam" he replied, his voice was barley audible and he fiddled with his fingers under the desk.