Boats and hoes

Chapter 1

I kicked the rocks under my feet, walking on the rough mangled sidewalk full of cracks and crevices. Watching the pebble skip across the slabs till it lost momentum, sitting still until i kicked it again.

I had been walking around aimlessly since I decided i needed air, randomly stopping at a dingy Sinclair for something to drink. People from around here had stayed away from this particular gas station, but i never knew why. I walked past the pumps and neared the doors of the store, hearing faint music grumbling inside. I didn't think much of it until i opened the door and the noise escaped the building seeping into the world outside.

"Yo welcome how ya doing." A man waved from the lifted counter not even batting an eye from his magazine, having to sorta yell over the radio.
"Good.." I tiptoed around to the fridge, eyeing the different selections of sodas. Sitting in front of the fridge forever just considering the options before me. Listening to the worker hum along with the radio... is that Fiona Apple? I finally chose a root beer out of the bunch and walk to the counter, looking at the different gum flavors and small bags of chips.

"Find everything okay?" He sat up from the chair tapping the screen of the register and scanning the drink before looking at me. I was poking around the other random shit under the counter, before meeting eyes with him. We both stared at each other for a moment before i realized i had to answer. "Oh, yeah- yes." i shook my head and pulled my hands out of my pockets and picked at my nails, lowering my head so my hair flowed down from my shoulders in front of my face.

He never looked away, i felt him burning holes in my head how he was looking. I heard him shift and scan the soda. "1.99..."
he said setting the scanner down, watching me dig in my pocket for two dollars. "Here." i handed it to him making eye contact again.

"Do i know you?" He took the cash and handed me the drink, turning down the radio and leaning to gaze at me over the counter. "Uh..." I scrunched my nose at him. Looking at the long dark black hair hanging off his shoulders and the few small bracelets off his wrist, from what i could tell, i recognized him.
His large forehead and his ice blue eyes... "Joey?" I raised my eyebrows and blinking

"...dude is that you?" he laughed hopping around the edge of the counter to stand in front of me. "I haven't seen you in forever!" he flung himself at me wrapping his arms around my neck.
He sent me a foot back before i could hug back. "I missed you man" you patted his back coughing a little.

"How have you been? What have you been up to? What- What are you doing here?" He let go and started to ramble.

"Work, lying around.." i shrugged opening the soda and taking a drink.

"I haven't seen you in who knows how long- i mean how have you been?" i said tugging at his sleeve.
"Good good! Band work is going well!" he said grabbing something from behind the counter and shuffling in a desk. "It's been since highschool. Wow" he huffed.
*flashback*
You fucking freak no wonder why you dress like that", "wash you hair nasty ass", "freak", "no wonder why you have no friends", "loser". Those are just some of the things people would say to me.
I keep walking down the hallway with my head down trying to ignore it all, trying to shut all of the words out of my head. Suddenly I look up and see a boy walking toward me. He had long wavy brown hair and icy blue eyes. He wasn't as tall as the other guys but still stood out. He had a slayer shirt on and light blue ripped jeans. "Hey uh, I know its not my business to be ease dropping or anything, and I hope it's not like that, but I couldn't help to hear what those guys were saying to you, what's going on?" The boy says.

"I've been getting made fun of for the way I dress, I don't know what's wrong with me" I respond. "Hey there's nothing wrong with you at all, you look cool" the boy says.
"Thanks, I like your shirt." I say.
"Thank you, the names Nathan but you can call me Joey". Joey responds.
"Nice Joey, you can call me Charlie" I respond.
"Nice name, so why do people pick on you?" Joey asks.
"I actually don't know, probably just my style." I respond.
"I get it, Do you wanna be friends?" Joey asks. "Oh yea sure! We could meet later after school and hang out if you want. I usually hang out near the bleachers sometimes if I wanna work here on my own" I shrug.
"Okay, so should we meet at the bleachers when school ends?" Joey asks.
"Yea sure!" I say.

I was sitting in my last class, English. While I was thinking about Joey while tapping my pencil along to Judas Priests song, Breaking the Law, fidgeting with my leather jacket while looking at the clock... Why did Joey care? I appreciate it though.

Just five more minutes. "Ok class, I'm gonna be handing out the project requirements. You are gonna pick a partner for this project"
I suddenly hear the teacher say. "Shit" I whisper to myself. I was barely paying attention and now we have to be picking partners? Of course I sit there and no one chooses me. The teacher quickly gave me the sheet while the last three minutes of class were running out. "Uh Mrs Smith. I'm gonna work by myself." I say. "Ok Charlie, I'm sure you'll do fine." The teacher says while I'm tucking the sheet away in my backpack. "Thanks, I'll see you on Monday" I smile saying. "I'll see you Monday Charlie, have a nice weekend."Mrs Smith says. "Thanks" I respond...Fuck. The bell rings and I am smiling ready to finally get out of this hellhole again. I walk out of the back door leading to the football field, feeling the cold breeze hit me. I see Joey sitting on the bleachers with headphones on tapping his feet along to a song. "Hey!" I yell.
Joey quickly looks up taking his headphones off. "Oh hey Charlie!!" He yells. I smile walking over, sitting by him. "So how was your day?" Joey asks. "It was uh okay, I just don't have a partner for my English project, you know I always have to work alone and it sucks" I sigh. "I'm sorry about that." Joey says patting my back. "It's fine" I respond.
"Well how was your day?" I ask. "It was ok" Joey says. I talked about music with him for a while and listening to songs together.
"I could be your partner for the project...If you want" Joey says out of nowhere. "Oh, thank you" I respond.
"Yea I could go over to your house or you could come to mine for some extra help" Joey says, handing me his phone to exchange numbers.

*sinclair*