Come Home

Chapter 2 - Cole

I hate math.

Well, I hate math class.

It's bad enough that I'm learning math, but it's also right before lunch, which means I'm staring at the clock the entire time, waiting for it to be over so I can get food.

Oh yeah. And it's math.

There is one minute left and I swear it's the longest minute that has ever occurred. I just want lunch!

30 seconds. Come on, come one.

20 seconds. You can do it, just be patient

10 seconds. God dammit why does this have to take so long!

5 seconds. This.

4 seconds. Is.

3 seconds. Torture.

2 seconds. Ahh!!!

1 second. I'M GOING TO EXPLODE!

Bring!!!!! "Yes!"

I was obviously not the only one, because my words were lost in the chores of my other classmates thoughts.

I shook my head; it didn't matter, I needed to get to lunch.

Collecting my stuff I raced out of the room and ran to my locker. Punching in the familiar combo, I shoved in my binders and grabbed my lunch. I was a little calmer while walking down to the cafeteria with my food in hand. I walked up to our normal table; it was empty. I wasn't late.

I sat down in my seat and unpacked my food, spreading it out in a circle around me. After I finished spreading out my buffet, I looked up again. Still no one here? Where's Hannah?

I ran scenarios through my head. Is she sick? God, I hope she's not sick. Should I send her a text? Or should I...

"Hey."

I sighed in relief. "Hi."

She sat down across from me. "How was the rest of your day yesterday?"

I groaned. "I hate Peter."

Peter was my dance instructor, and my worst nightmare. I didn't really want to take dance in the first place, but my mom wanted me to and it wasn't that hard. Until Peter came along. He synchronised my every move, like he was looking for something I was doing wrong! It's so aggravating, I don't even know what I did to make him target me.

She laughed. "What did he do this time?"

"He was picking over every little thing I did wrong, even though other kids would do the exact same thing and he wouldn't care. I swear he hates me!"

She looked like she was about to say something, but Alyssa interrupted her.

"Hey Cole!"

I smiled at her and her bright blue eyes seemed to light up. I sat a little straighter in my seat, I don't know why. "Alyssa!"

When she reached our table she turned to Hannah. "Oh, sorry Hannah, didn't see you there." I don't blame her, I probably wouldn't notice Hannah either.

Well, that's not true. I would notice her wherever she was.

Hannah looked a little uncomfortable. "Hi."

Alyssa turned back to me. "So, how was your day yesterday?"

We started talking about our lives, I told her how amazing dance was and she ranted to me about her perfect older sister. Sometime during lunch Alice joined us, but she was gone by the end. Too soon, I was finished with my lunch. I got up and said, "I'll be right back," and I went to throw away all of my trash.

I threw everything away in one fell swoop, careful not to dump the small plastic containers my mom sent my food in. When I turned around I saw Hannah walking towards me. I furrowed my brow. What?

"Hey, Cole, can I talk to you?"

I'm sure I looked shocked. "Sure, what is it?"

She looked at Alyssa. "Not here. How about I call you at...7:30?" Did she have a fight with her? What do I do?

What could she want to tell me?

"Oh, um, ok."

I walked away from that conversation not knowing what happened at all, but knowing that I would be at my phone at 7:30.

*****

I sat by my phone impatiently waiting.

It was 4:30.

I'd been thinking about it all day, I don't think I learned anything in class. What could she possibly...

I was started out of my inquiry by my phone. Is she calling early?

Nope, just Alyssa.

I answered it. "Hey."

"Cole! Guess what!"

"What?"

She sounded like she wanted to sing. "I got us invited to a party!"

"What?!?!? Alyssa no."

"Why not? Please, for me?"

I could tell she was making a pouty face on the other end of the line. "Fine, but Hannah's supposed to call me at 7:30, so I have to step out then."

"Hannah? Sure, 7:30, I won't let you forget. Now come on, get ready!"

"Ok, see you at, when?"

"5:50. I'll pick you up."

"Ok. Bye."

"Bye!"

She hung up. I guess I have a party to go to.

*****

Alyssa picked me up at 5:50 sharp. She was almost jumping with joy; she talked on and on about how awesome it was going to be.

I was still a bit hesitant, I'm not a party person, but I trusted Alyssa, and she wouldn't bring me into something I would hate.

She parked the car, and then she skipped into the house. I followed hesitantly into the house, not really sure what to expect.

We got to the doorway and Alyssa turned to smile at me. Here goes nothing.

We walked inside.

The music was 10 times louder inside, which I didn't think was possible. Multicolored lights were flashing on the walls and there were couples kissing against all of the walls.

Ew.

Alyssa was whisked away almost immediately, so I was left standing awkwardly at the door.

I knew this was a mistake.

I migrated over to the food table to get some fruit punch. That was I could stand in the corner and not look completely awkward.

I took a sip of the drink. It was really good!

Before I knew it I had finished my first glass and was going back for a second.

And a third.

And a fourth.

By the time I was finished with my fifth glass I found myself out of the dance floor rocking out to a song I'd never heard before with people I'd never met.

It was the best I ever felt. I was floating on top of the clouds, nothing could touch me. I was free.

I vaguely recalled that there was something I had to do, something about Hannah...

It didn't matter. In that moment, nothing mattered.

I didn't know that while I was getting drunk, my best friend was leaving me forever.