Heartbreak High: New Hope

Part 2 'New Bonds'

For the next couple of days, I found myself adjusting more and more to this new normal. The thought of waking up every day in a strange new place was becoming less anxiety-inducing; in fact, the more I did it, the less strange the place felt.

Balancing catching up with a new curriculum along with basketball practice in the evenings was proving to be difficult, but it was worth it.
The more I saw Tyler, the deeper I fell. My new friends were growing on me, but I still felt out of place and chained to the habit of not being open with them about who I was. I wasn't sure if they'd understand, but it's harder to explain something when you don't really understand it yourself.

The days here had become just-another day. We had barely settled into the Chemistry lab when I took my seat beside Alec after the third bell.

As I began to unpack my bag, I struggled to keep it steady, causing it to fall and my sketchbook to skid open on the floor. I reached down to grab it, only to be startled by another hand reaching down too. Surprised, I pulled back, watching as Alec picked up my book and took a curious glance at the pages.
"Uh, thank you,"
I said slowly, snatching my book away and stuffing it back into my bag. I then pulled out my shiny new Chemistry textbook, placing it on the lab table just as the teacher stepped in.
"Good morning, students,"
he began, settling his briefcase on the desk, and as he opened it, his expression brewed into one of frustration, a barely audible curse traced his lips in a murmur.

"It appears that I've left some supplies for today's lesson in my office. I'll be right back; read over your notes on the last topic," he said before heading out of the class.

I picked up my textbook, flipping it open, expecting another session of working in silence, when shockingly, Alec's voice broke through to me. It was so soft but deep that I almost missed it.

"Hi," he said.
I looked up, startled.
"You're talking to me?" I asked, confused. He raised an eyebrow. "Well, I don't see anyone else sitting here, do you?"
"Well, hi,"
I replied.

A heavy silence settled between us. It was broken abruptly when he said, "Your art is good," gesturing towards my sketchbook peeking out of my backpack.
"Thanks,"
I managed, before the silence returned.
"I-"
He began, but was cut off as the classroom door burst open again and our teacher strode in causing the class to settle down. The lesson seemed to crawl by until the sweet release of the final bell. I met up with Ethan and the others before making our way to our usual lunch spot.

Without hesitation, the group was alive with a conversation that was growing more animated by the second. I couldn't remember how it started but I still made an attempt to keep up and take part.
Jazz, with a determined look on her face, turned to Ethan. "Come on, Ethan, you know I'm right about this. Back me up."

Ethan, caught in the crossfire of a playful argument between Jazz and Stephen, sighed. "Look, I don't want to get involved. You two can duke it out without dragging me into it."
"Ethan, seriously? I thought you had my back," Jazz joked, shooting him a disappointed glance.
"I play Switzerland."
Ethan raised his hands in surrender.

"I don't know Jazz, maybe he's not running to your side because he knows you're wrong about this,"
Stephen chimed in, a Cheshire grin spreading across his lips.

I leaned back against the bench, a chuckle escaping my lips. "Well, I don't know; I think Jazz has a valid point on this one. The egg would come first."
Stephen clutched his heart dramatically, feigning offense. "How could you turn against me, Lucas? You wound me!"

I laughed as he gave me a playful punch on the shoulder. "Don't take it personally," I added.

I settled in as the conversations continued, my eyes beginning to wander around the area until my gaze landed on Tyler, seated with Maya, who was engaged in conversation with Nick and another girl I didn't know yet. The atmosphere around them seemed casual, yet a sudden tension arose within me.
I couldn't look away, my eyes glued to him as his lips moved. Everything about him pulled me in deeper than I ever intended to go, and watching Maya cling to him was almost torturous. My mind couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to be in her place.

"Earth to Lucas!"
Jazz called, catching on to my distracted state as she nudged my arm.
"Where'd your mind run off to?"

I shook my head, offering a weak smile.
"Nowhere, just lost in thought."