Unfinished Infinities

Leaven West High

It hadn't been my idea to go to a boarding school. But I went anyway, because Mom and Dad had had enough of me at home. Maybe I could go there and stop being a loner. Start afresh, you know..A new page...all that crap.

The day Mom dropped me off at Leaven West High was a Monday.

I hate Mondays.

I got out of Mom's car, lugging my suitcase and schoolbag. "Bye, Mom."
"Bye, honey! See you next term! Love you!"
And she drove off.
That wasn't very nice, I thought. Obviously I didn't want a sappy send off, everyone knows that's the first rule of high school-your mom kisses you goodbye, you're a sissy.

I may or may not have learned the hard way back in my old school.

But still...I'd be leaving the woman for ten weeks and that's all she has to say? That did nothing to lift my spirits.

I trudged along. I didn't know what I was going to do here. I didn't have any hobbies. Perhaps I'd just study. What a wonderful life I have, I thought grudgingly to myself.

I walked nearer and nearer to the entrance of the school to get my room key. Opening the door, I stepped in.

"OI!" A voice bellowed.

A short guy with a crew cut jumped out in front of me. "You the new roommate in 325?"

My heart was beating a violent tattoo against my Adam's apple. I checked my room key card. It said "Room 325". "What the hell, dude. You nearly gave me a heart attack." I said, releasing a breath I'd been holding. "And yeah, I'm in Room 325," I added as an afterthought.

The guy grinned. "Sorry. Here, my name's Chan. Chan Blake. I'm your new roommate, been waiting for you for weeks." He extended a hand.

I reached out to shake it. "I'm Will Miles." At the very last moment, Chan pulled his hand away and punched me shoulder. He chortled. "Got you, man!"

I was starting to think that this guy was little weird. But there was no time to consider getting the hell out of there, because Chan had just grabbed my arm and pulled me along a corridor. "We're going to get you to our room first. Then we're going friend hunting." He gave a wicked grin.

There he was, my first friend in ages.

I followed him down the corridor, unable to suppress a smile. Maybe life here wouldn't be so bad. Chan might be weird, but he was company.