The Consequences (Read DESC!)

The Meeting (Part 1)

(Noob) James took two steps across the patio, fingers sliding against the wooden brim of the porch fence. It was cold outside, so he wore his usual blue cardigan and long green slacks. Wind blew fiercely against his blonde hair, brushing against his face, sending chills that sparked goosebumps across his body.

"I hope I'm not late.." He whispered. James had been expected at a meeting today about his attendance in school, something he'd hate to attend so early in the holidays. "..otherwise, they'd involve my mom."

A few of his neighbors were inside with their windows closed, fireplaces lit, and that steaming hot cocoa set on the table. Everyone except him, he thought in silence.

After a minute or two, he set foot on the side path, making his way over to the school building just a few streets over. James would've taken his bike if it wasn't already missing a wheel, making a mental note to fix that sooner or later.

"What are you here for?" The security guard asked near the front gates as he neared the school, stopping just steps across from her feet. "Meeting with Mr. Bilos."

Mr. Bilos is the principle of Keystone High, so she wasn't surprised his name had been mentioned. Lots of other students had visited recently for similar reasons, but the only thing that came up to mind was why he came alone.

"And without a guardian?" She asked with suspicion, tilting her head slightly to the right. "My mom is working. My dad is sick. Nobody could make it, but they said it'd be fine if I came on my own." James answered with a shrug, her wary look dissipating wholly. Then she sighed.

"Just don't go wandering off in places you shouldn't. You'll get in trouble." The woman warned, but it was out of mild worry.

"Yeah, I won't." James gave her a small nod, and he passed through the single person gate, making his way over to the front office, pushing the door open. There was that old lady sitting in her chair behind the desk, using her glasses to read. He couldn't make out what it was she was looking at, but that wasn't any of his concerns. He walked over to talk to her.

"Hey, miss." James greeted with a wave. There were a few papers scattered across the long wooden table that stretched between two walls.

Mrs. Parker looked up and smiled, putting her book aside and meeting him face-to-face. "Hello, James, what are you here for?" Her voice was soft and raspy. It almost had its own ring to it that made her sound so sweet.

"Is there a meeting with Mr. Bilos in his office?" He started. "I'm expected to see him this afternoon."

She started typing on her keyboard, analyzing the screen.

"Well, your appointment isn't until 4:50." (Currently 4:04) "You can take a seat and wait until then."

James took a look at his watch and groaned. "Of course I'm almost an hour early. Why wouldn't I be." He was mentally punching himself in the face. There was no point in walking all the way back home, he'd be late on his return.

"Thank you." James dug his hands into the pockets of his sweater and headed on over to the small couches with magazines and cushions in the corners. Picking one up for himself about toys and old fashion shows hosted over a year ago. Old stuff.

4:04, 4:05, 4:07, 4:11, 4:16... the office door was opened, and James looked up from the papers, checking to see who it was.

Damien (Guest) let his palm push against the glass of the office doors, stepping inside the room, heating up almost immediately by the comforts of the air conditioner. Feeling his skin return back to its original lively hue, his gaze was met with the curious eyes of another high school student. James.

There was a long stretch of awkward and almost uncomfortable silence, that was, until he broke contact and walked over to the desk.

James kept staring, never leaving his back, as if he had interest in the other teen. Something else brewed inside his chest other than his nosy curiosity. Slapping a hand quietly against his face to knock himself out of such a state, he realized he had been staring more than he'd like to admit. Which wasn't normal.

Both eyes were wide in embarrassment, flustered even, averting his gaze back to the ground, the walls, the magazine... Somewhere that wasn't him.

Time went stressfully slow, and a few minutes past 4:30. James tried to keep quiet almost the entire time, but, seeing Damien from the corner of his eye sitting just across from him on the other sofa, didn't help at all.

"Hey,"

he spoke up, putting a hand in the air just so he could get his attention. Finally, he gained the balls to talk to him.

"What's your name?"