How We Met

Chapter 12

Etho's Perspective-

Etho walked into his new school and looked down, scrunching up a bit to make himself smaller.

He didn't want to intrude on anyone's conversations, and he just wanted to survive the day.

Just keep to myself, stay in my own lane. You can do this Etho.

Etho put on his headphones and turned on his music, ignoring how everyone was talking to each other and some people stared at him, probably because he dyed his hair white, and his brown roots were coming out.

Etho, embarrassed, put his hood on and looked straight ahead. He had some dark circles under his eyes and probably looked like he had been smoking for his entire life.

He turned right into his classroom and the teacher smiled at him as he took off his headphones.

"Hello, you're the new student, correct?" She asked kindly.

Etho nodded, ignoring how everyone was staring at him.

"It's nice to finally meet you. Would you mind sitting down in this desk right here?" She pointed to one of the desks in the front row.

"Sure." Etho said quietly and sat down.

"Oh- and no hoods on, that's one of the school rules." She said and Etho grumbled, taking off his hood.

During the class, the teacher made sure to keep Etho up to pace and he understood everything easily.

The day went relatively well, just him keeping to himself.

At lunch, Etho sat by himself and sighed.

I forgot this feeling. Ever since Joel came into my life, everything felt easier. It felt like I had friends.

Tears filled Etho's eyes, and he sighed, wiping them before tracing his finger on the table, trying to distract himself.

Thoughts of his friends filled his head, and he jumped as he felt his phone buzz.

He smiled as he saw it was a text from Sausage, asking him how he was doing.

Etho texted Sausage during lunch and afterwards, he was walking to his next class, still texting.

He wasn't looking where he was going but was able to weave his way through the busy hallway.

Well, that was until he ran into a bush.

"Ow!"

Etho jumped.

Did that bush just say 'ow'?

Etho saw that he, in fact, did not run into a bush and instead ran into a guy who was wearing a jacket that looked like a bush.

The guy was a bit shorter than Etho and he dusted himself off.

"Oh, sorry." Etho said quietly.

"It's fine. It happens, you know." He said before narrowing his eyes as he stared at Etho.

"Have I met you before?" He asked.

"Er- no. I'm new."

The guy snapped, "So you're the new kid Val was talking about!"

"Val?"

"They're my friend. They said they saw you in their art class."

"Oh...okay. I don't know who that is."

"They have super curly hair. Can't miss them."

Etho nodded slowly.

"Well...I better go- "

"Hey Bdubs!" A guy jogged over, and he had some scars on his arms. He smiled at Etho, who returned the smile nervously.

"Who's this?" The guy covered in scars asked. He had a denim jacket on that had sunflowers embroidered on it. His hair was dusty brown, and he wore a cheerful smile.

That looks like Joel's smile. Etho thought, smiling a bit more normally.

"This is Etho. The new kid." The shorter male said, gesturing to Etho.

"Nice to meet you Efo! I'm Scar." Scar stretched out his hand for a handshake.

"Oh, uh- it's Etho." Etho whispered.

Scar tilted his head.

"Isn't that what I said? Efo?"

"I- you know what, sure." Etho shook Scar's hand and Scar smiled.

"This short guy here is Bdubs, my twin brother.

"HEY! I'm not that short." Bdubs said, folding his arms.

Scar made fake cooing noises as he poked Bdubs's face.

"Aw, sure you're not." Scar said sarcastically.

Bdubs rolled his eyes.

"Look, I really need to get going. Nice meeting you." Etho said, starting to turn around.

"Wait! Aren't you new?" Scar asked, tilting his head.

"Er- yeah?"

"Do you wanna be friends?"

Etho stared at Scar's welcoming smile, and he hesitated.

"I'm...I'm used to being alone. Thanks." Etho smiled and shrugged before leaving.

"Oh- uh- well here's my number." Scar grabbed a pen and wrote down his number on Etho's arm, "Text me if you change your mind, Val and Bdubs are going to come over tonight to hang out. Maybe you can come too."

Scar flashed Etho one final smile before leaving with Bdubs.