Chasing Time

Part || 1

Hi, everyone, here's the first part of Chasing Time! I hope you enjoy reading <3
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The score I received on my pre calculus test added a new weight to my shoulders, causing them to slump further. I could almost feel the disappointment radiating off my teacher's face as he placed it on my desk.

Who am I kidding, he probably lost hope in my grades a long time ago. After all, this isn't my first sixty. I took a quick glance at the questions marked with a large 'x', before deciding I've seen enough, slapping it back onto the table.

"Remember, everybody, reassessments are always possible and encouraged..." Mr. Karlenzig began, as if he was talking straight to me. "Some of you struggled with this one, so study it again and come see me to schedule a retest."

Everyone began tucking their papers away as soon as he finished talking, packing up about a minute before the bell, before I finally followed suit.

I found myself wishing for the millionth time that Clayton was in my math class. He would know just what to say.

I could almost imagine it now, 'It's okay, Donnie. It's just a math test, not the end of the world. Your score doesn't change who you are as a person or how I, or anyone else, feels about you. You're amazing, so don't let something as silly as numbers tell you otherwise'.

They were his words, yet coming from myself, they did almost nothing to lift my mood.

I let out a sigh at the obnoxious sound of the bell, people scrambling to leave the classroom in front of me. Putting in my earbuds, I continued on to the other side of the school, pressing 'shuffle' as I navigated my way through the crowded halls.

I was just stepping past a group of people who had stopped in the middle of the hallway, when I felt a hand slide into mine, holding it in their grasp. I quickly turned my head to meet Clayton's dark blue eyes as he made his way to my side.

My lips tugged up at the sight, reaching for my phone to pause my music, before pulling on my earbuds, causing them to fall out.

"Hey," he greeted, a smile resting on his face.

His parted, light brown hair hung down into his eyes, almost covering the top of his black rimmed glasses, before it bounced back up with his steps.

"Hi," I replied, grinning back as I gave his hand a slight squeeze. It was as if the whole atmosphere had lifted just from his presence.

"So, how was math?" he prompted. "-or should I say 'hell'?"

I let out a small laugh at his joke, feeling the reality of it sink in. "It was exactly that."

"Yeah, pre cal is the worst," he agreed, lightly swinging out hands between us. "At least this is our last semester of it."

"That's true. But then there's university calculus," I pointed out, raising a brow at him.

He opened his mouth as if trying to think of some sort of upside to quickly retort, before defeatedly turning back to me. "Yeah, there's no escape, is there?"

I cracked up at his remark, his own smile widening drastically as I looked into his eyes, holding his gaze.

All that I am - all that I ever was, is here in his perfect eyes. They're all I can see.

We stopped at our lockers to grab our rain jackets, before continuing outside the doors of the school, feeling the brisk, spring wind as we left the heated building.

"So, you want to come to my place to do homework?" Clayton asked, walking down the worn sidewalk next to me.

"Sure. Although it will probably have to be after supper."

Clayton checked the time on his phone, before pocketing it again, leading me around a large puddle. "That's fine. Come whenever."

I adjusted the position of my jacket that puffed up over the large sweater underneath, tucking the green, cotton material back into my belted jeans, before reconnecting our hands.

It didn't take long for us to reach our neighbourhood, approaching the driveway of his house - a bi level with grey stucco and a dark roof.

"I'll see you later," I said, starting to slide my hand out of his, when he suddenly held on tighter to keep me in place, leaning down towards my face.

His lips were soft on my cheek, just missing my mouth, before pulling back in a grin that lit up his eyes.

"Bye, Don."