Across the pond

Free period

Sam was sat on the top row of the bleachers in the gym. Other students in his grade where scattered around, chatting and playing on their phones. He usually spent his free periods doing homework or sitting in the library, it smelled a lot less like sweat and smoke.

He'd heard that there was a fire in there a while ago, during a sleep in. Apparently something happened and chaos ensued, kissing, graffiti, vandalism and someone even pooped through the basketball hoop.

"Sounds like party's we used to have at my uni" Benji chuckled, sat beside him

"You went to university?" Sam raised his eyebrow

"Yeah, how do you think I got my job? Hormone monster school"

Sam looked at his phone, he'd been downloading games he liked but that pretty much it. He was trying to get used to it, he had to ask Elliott how to set the clock to 24 hours instead of 12.

"I never thought I'd say this but I actually miss gym" Jessi sighed

Sam looked up to see Jessi and Matthew had climbed up to the top and sat with him "oh, hi.. yeah how come we haven't had one pe class since I've been here?"

Jessi shrugged "the coach got fired after what happened on the lunar eclipse...hay, we a have major update on the situAidan"

Sam put his phone down "oh yeah?"

"Ok so Aidan asked me to meet him at Rosa parks park after school" Matthew explained

Sam smiled "first date?"

"The slide in that park is where the eighth graders go to french kiss" Jessi explained

"Ooh- thats deffinetly an update" Sam giggled

"I'll just make a group chat so we can update eachother, what's your insta Sam?" Matthew asked

"Oh, I don't have Instagram.. or many other social midas" Sam looked ahead, knowing how awkward he was being. He shook his head a little, trying to get rid of the light buzzing.

"You gotta get in the 21st century gurl" Matthew said, looking at his phone

Jessi side eyed him

"What?" He asked before realisation kicked in "fuck, sorry Sam"

"It's a figure of speech gurl" Sam replied "I don't mind" he picked up his phone "anyway social media wasn't allowed in the group home, incase someone dangerous stalked us."

"Well that makes sense.. we can help you set up an account now?" Jessi offered

Sam smiled "ok, my phone came with it pre downloaded" he opened the app

"Ok your going to need your email address there" Jessi explained

Sam did as he was told, putting in his email

"And your going to need to think of a handle.. some people just use their name and some just make one up" Matthew continued

"Mine is KnobGobbler_Suprime" Benji said, showing Sam his phone

"I'm not calling myself something dirty, what if Elliot or Diane see?" He pushed Benji's phone away

"They wouldn't mind the guy talks about eating out his wife like every day, you know they party"

Sam closed his eyes and shook his head, not wanting to think about any of that. Sam thought for a few seconds and typed 'Washingtons_rightHandMan' it was off the top of his head.

"Hamilton reference, cool" Jessi smiled "and you need a password" she then turned to Matthew who was busy on his phone

He typed in the same password as he used for a lot of things, he knew it wasn't that safe but it was a secure password.

"Ok you've made an account, now I can add you to the group I made" Matthew smiled. Sam got added and also got two followers witch he didn't expect but was strangely excited by, he didn't think he'd actually make friends this fast.

"They aren't your friends they're Nick's" Teto buzzed in his ear "they're just trying to be nice to the weird disabled new boy" another buzzed

Sam tried to ignore the buzzing, setting up his account. He put his phone down and looked around the gym again "I wonder how long it'll be before they hire a new coach" he said, desperately trying to distract himself.

"The principle is retiring at the end of the semester, I don't think she's even going to try" Matthew looked at the gym as well "eww, why do people pick their nose in public, we can see you. Gross"

"Ewww" Jessi grimaced

Sam didn't really react, he was a little zoned out. He felt buzzing deep in his skull, the room was too loud, he could hear every conversation in the room all at once. His jumper felt itchy all of a sudden, like a thousand ants crawling all over him, he could now hear every word all the students were saying and his heartbeat, he tried to focus on the basketball hoop or something anything. His chest became tight, he felt like he couldn't breathe and all of the noise soon became shrouded in buzzing as Teto bit his neck

"You really think these people are your friends?" She said

"They're probably just being nice to you because they pity you" buzzed another

"Nick probably told them to be nice"

"I bet they talk about you behind your back"

"They're gonna make you tell them all of your secrets Sam. Then they'll tell everyone and no one in this town will like you. You'll have no friends Sam. You'll be all alone Sam. Forever Sam."

"...Sam. Sam? Sam you ok?" Jessi put her hand on Sam's shoulder, snapping Sam out of the anxiety attack

"Hu? Oh!.. sorry.. zoned out" Sam smiled half heartedly, trying to look oh but the awkward gesture just looked pathetic.

"You ok? You're breathing really hard" Matthew asked, concerned

"Yeah, I'm fine. I think I just need some water-" Sam went into his satchel and pulled out his water bottle "So, are you going to the park?" He asked, trying to get the attention off of him.

"Yes, I'm gonna go" Matthew looked at his phone

"He's a little nervous" Jessi smiled "but it'll be fine"

"I'm not fucking nervous! I'm just.. not sure what to wear" Matthew made his excuses

"I like what you're wearing now" Sam smiled "suit's you"

"You think it's good enough?" Matthew asked

"You dress better than most adults I know, you'll be fine" Jessi assured him.

Sam looked down at his phone, he had some follow suggestions from following Matthew and Jessi back. He didn't want to follow anyone really, he thought it would be awkward and annoying. Until he saw Missy's profile, she was nice to him and even asked for his number before, surely she wouldn't mind him following her. He took a breath and followed her, it was out of his hands now.