The Summer X Died

Chapter 1: The playground

Notes: give me any feedback I haven't written in a long time :)

10 years ago...

In a quiet suburban neighborhood, between rows of houses and gardens, stood a small playground. It was a little broken down, the swing chain slightly rusted but still able to be used and the soft hum of distant traffic. This was where Four and X first met, their paths crossing in the most unexpected way.

X, a thoughtful and reserved little boy with an interest for sketching, often found peace at the old wooden bench near the swings. He would spend hours there, drawing whatever was in sight. On this particular day, the sun cast down a warm golden hue over the park, and X was absorbed in drawing the intricate patterns of sunlight filtering through the trees.

Four, a bratty boy with a love for basketball, had just moved into the neighborhood. He was drawn to the playground by the small court they had  As he dribbled his ball across the court, his eyes caught sight of X, his head bent over his sketchpad, completely absorbed in his work.

Curiosity got the best of him, Four approached the bench, his basketball tucked under his arm. He peered over X's shoulder, admiring the delicate lines and shades of his drawing. "That's really good," he said, his voice breaking the silence.

Startled, X looked up, while covering his drawing his golden eyes meeting Four's. he smiled shyly, a blush creeping up his cheeks. "Thanks," he replied softly. "I'm just drawing what I see."

Four nodded, his eyes sparkling with interest. "I'm Four. I just moved here."

" I'm X ," he introduced himself, his initial shyness giving way to a friendly curiosity. "Do you like to draw too?"

Four shook his head. "Not really. I'm more into basketball. But I think what you're doing is really cool! " X smiled softly and blushed, the slight hint of pink highlighting his round face.

They spent the rest of the afternoon talking, sharing stories, and talking about their interests X showed Four how to sketch, and in return, Four taught X a few tricks with the Basketball. As the sun set it cast long shadows across the playground, they realized how quickly the time had passed.

In that very playground, Four and X found a knew Little did they know, their meeting was the start of a beautiful, albeit challenging, journey that would intertwine their lives in ways neither of them could have imagined.

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Present day...

The blaring sound of his alarm clock shattered the morning silence,  Groaning, X slapped the snooze button and burrowed back under his blanket, savoring the few extra minutes of sleep. His room, a chaotic blend of posters of anime he liked and bands, clothes, and textbooks, all over his room, he finally dragged himself out of bed.

"Just have to make it to friday," X muttered, running a hand through his yellow hair. He quickly dressed in his usual jeans and a band t-shirt, grabbing his hoodie off the chair. His mom's voice being hears from the kitchen, reminding him to hurry if he wanted to catch the bus.

He headed downstairs, grabbed a piece of toast, and slung his backpack over his shoulder. "Bye, Mom," he called, heading out the door. The morning air hit his face, waking him up a bit more as he joined his friends at the bus stop.

The bus ride was a familiar blur of chatter and music. X slipped in his headphones, tuning out the noise around him. As they pulled up to the school, he prepared himself for another day of classes, hallways, and the endless high school routine.

First period was English X didn't hate English but he didn't enjoy it english,  X slumped into his seat, nodding a hello to Six, the girl who sat next to him. They exchanged a few words about the homework answers before the bell rang and the teacher started the lesson. X liked English well enough, especially when they got to read something interesting, but today was all about grammar and syntax.

By the time lunch rolled around, X was more than ready for a break. He met up with his friends, a mix of guys from his Club and a few others from his classes. They claimed their usual table in the corner of the cafeteria. Conversations ranged from the latest school drama which eventually led to the topic going to the upcoming school dance.

"Are you going?" Y, his best friend, asked him between bites of pizza.

X shrugged. "Maybe. Haven't really decided yet."

Y grinned. "You should. Might be fun." Z chimed in " I heard that Eleven was going! " she said, Z has been crushing on her ever since she came to the school, " yeah but hasn't she been with like 3 other guys? She's been here for less then 2 months, she would never go for you! " Y said. Z sighed " Who knows " she says as she continues eating her lunch.

The afternoon dragged on with math and history, subjects X tolerated but didn't particularly enjoy. His thoughts kept drifting to his friend, B's Football practice after school, he loved to draw the field and the players practicing, It was the highlight of his day, a chance to draw and forget about everything else for a while.

When the final bell rang, X practically sprinted to the locker room to meet up with B, eager to hit the field. Since X just sat down and watched they didn't care if he met up with them. He watched them play as he filled the pages of bus sketchbook.

As the sun set and X walked home, content with how his day turned out, he thought about Y's question. Maybe he would go to the dance.

X's decision about the dance lingered in his mind as he walked home. The sky was painted with the soft hues of dusk, and the cool evening air was refreshing. He arrived home, greeted by the comforting smell of his mom's cooking. After a quick shower, he joined his family for dinner, the conversation light and easy.

Later that night, as X lay in bed staring at the ceiling, he thought about the dance again. Y's words echoed in his mind, and he felt a spark of curiosity. High school had its moments, but it also held potential for unexpected moments. "Maybe he's right," X muttered to himself, turning over and deciding he'd go.

The next day at school was the same, start off with english, go through his classes eventually until lunch hit. X sat down " So who is going to the school dance? " he asked Z and Y smirking as they looked at eachother " That's 5 bucks! " Z says while laughing. Y frowns before pulling out his wallet and handing her a crisp 5 dollar bill. " Umm... What was that about? " X asked, " Z and I had a bet, she said you'd go to the dance and I said you wouldn't " Y explained. X chuckled " Oh sorry " he said softly " Me, Y, B and a few others are going to the dance " Z said while smiling as she admires her dollar " Last day to buy tickets is today " Y says, X nearly chokes on his food " Oh shit, who is selling them? " X asks quickly, " That cute British exchange student I think Two was his name he's selling them in the common area " Z says. X stands up " I'll be back " he says as he rushes over to the common area.

He opens the door as he stands there, Two was a tall young man, about 6 foot 3 inches he wasn't muscular but he wasn't skinny either he had the good amount of muscle mass. He had green hair and his horns grew similar to a rams. He wore wired glasses as he wore a hoodie for the club he was in, chess club. He was cleaning up as he was putting everything away " Wait! " X says, Two stops as he turns around " Oh do you need something? " Two asks, his accent heavy but his words are audible. X hands him $10 " Can I buy a ticket? " he asks, Two smiles as he sets down a box, he reaches inside as he pulls out a ticket. He readjusts his glasses as he hands him the ticket " You seem quite familiar, have we met before? " Two asks. X takes the ticket from his hands as he gives him the money " I don't think so " X says as he puts the dance ticket in his wallet. Two pauses as he thinks " Ah! I remember now... Do you by any chance have a friend, Four was his name " Two says.

X stands there silent as his face slightly goes pale, him and four Haven't spoken in ages how would someone who just started going to the school find out about their past, maybe rumors? We're people talking about the incident still? X stands there silently as Two watches " um.. Nevermind then " he says as he picks the box up again " See ya around yeah? " he says before leaving.

X gulps " Yeah... See you around " he says before silently heading back to lunch.

Chapter 1 End

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After words: Hey! Phyric here, it's been awhile hasn't it? I think I'm going to get back into writing more ( try to at least  ) I hope you guys enjoy this new story and tell me what you guys think.

Words : 1588