Darkstar

Chapter Four: To Go or Not To Go

As Alex sat in science class, his teacher animatedly discussed the upcoming meteor shower scheduled for Friday evening. "Make sure to look up at the sky; it's going to be a spectacular sight!" the teacher said, gesturing enthusiastically. But Alex barely registered the words. Instead, his mind was consumed with thoughts of the party Ashley had invited him to.

What would it be like? Would he even fit in with her friends? The idea of navigating the crowd filled him with anxiety. He pictured awkward silences, fumbling for conversation, and feeling like an outsider in a group where everyone else seemed so comfortable.

He bit his lip, trying to focus on the lesson, but the thought of Ashley's warm smile kept intruding. She genuinely wanted him there, didn't she? But how would he handle the inevitable awkward moments? Maybe it would be best not to go at all.

Alex stared out the window, watching the clouds drift lazily across the sky. As the teacher droned on, he imagined himself sitting in the grass with Ashley, watching the meteor shower. Wouldn't that be better than a party full of strangers? But then he remembered how much he missed being around her, how her laughter could light up even the dullest of days.

The internal conflict swirled within him, and he felt torn between wanting to spend time with Ashley and the fear of being out of place. As the class ended and the bell rang, he realized he needed to decide soon. Time was running out.

As the final bell rang, Alex hurriedly grabbed his backpack from the floor, feeling the weight of his uncertainty settle on his shoulders. He slung the bag over his shoulder and made his way toward the bus, weaving through clusters of students laughing and chatting about weekend plans. Each step felt heavier as his mind raced with thoughts of the party. He glanced back at the school, a mix of anticipation and dread swirling inside him. Would he take the plunge and go to Ashley's party, or would he retreat into the comfort of his familiar routine? The bus loomed ahead.

As Alex approached the school bus, lost in his thoughts, he suddenly felt a jolt as Zack came up behind him and slammed his book-bag into his back. Stumbling forward, Alex lost his balance and fell hard to the ground. Laughter erupted from Zack and his friends, who gathered nearby. "You have to keep up, Alex!" Zack teased, his voice dripping with mockery. Embarrassment flooded Alex's cheeks as he pushed himself off the ground, brushing off the dust and trying to shake off the sting of humiliation. It was moments like this that made him question if stepping out of his comfort zone was worth it at all.