How To Save A Life

City Heights High

"Of course not," He said, staring at his pancakes buried in syrup, not touching it. 

"How could anyone; all the kids are talking about it." A voice said, with its hand on Randy's shoulder. 

They were both shaken to look up and see Tiffany with a plate of breakfast as well; especially Randy, who gave her a rather strange and worried look. Her smile widened as she looked down at him. "Move over." She probed. He slide over and she took her seat snuggly next to him and began devouring her food. 

Mike cleared his head of the rather weird confrontation he just witnessed. He looked quizzically at Tiffany. He leaned forward, licking his lips as he tried to speak. 

"What do you mean everyone's talking about it?" 

She tore her eyes off of Randy long enough to look back at her friend across the table. "Just that I've heard like ten kids saying how awesome it was that someone stood up to her." 

It took a while for the news to sink in. Slowly, Mike's heart beat rose. He hadn't really realized until now what he had done. Of course, in the moment it wasn't what he was trying to do. Anyone who even thought about standing up to Mrs. Turner would be punished by her because in some way, she would find out. Yet, if he had stood up to her, why was he breathing now, gasping for air, unaware of his surroundings. 

Suddenly the faces across from him cleared again and his heart rate slowed back to the steady, normal beat. 

"We're in school, the most normal place we have to go to, I don't want to worry about it." They nodded approvingly. As Randy finished off his breakfast, he leaned forward. 

"And about that girl, I don't want you to think about her. I'm your friend. I'm telling what's best." Mike listened with intent and as hard as it was for him, he nodded his head. 

The bell rang and they quickly finished their meals and headed to class; Mike down to English and Randy and Tiffany to Psychology. 

Mike slipped into class just as the bell rang. He was savoring the alone time he had walking down the virtually empty halls of the school while other kids were racing to classes. Today was unusual, and it wasn't even 10 o'clock in the morning; Mike had met the girl of his dreams, stood up to Mrs. Turner, was actually being noticed by people who never took notice of him before, and he had gotten to be alone three times. 

Even though he barely made it into class on time, his teacher, Mr. Hawthorne was nowhere to be found, like usual. If there was anyone Mike hated more than Mrs. Turner, it was Mr. Hawthorne. Him and the other kids sometimes made jokes about them once being married because they were so perfect for each other. 

Regardless of the teacher's absence, he strolled to the back and took his seat. 

Mike's seat was in between Cooper and Caleb, twin brothers. Every time he was around them he forgot that they actually didn't live together and had only known about each other's existence for three years. 

Yup, that's what orphanages do to families; separates them and changes lives forever. It's hard for Mike to look at them and remember Cooper's still at the home with him while Caleb is in a loving family. And he can't even being to wonder what his life would be like he Maci was ever taken from him. 

He forgot where he was until they twins unanimously greeted him. 

"Oh, hey." He said, shaking his head, rattling the thoughts in his brain. 

Cooper took his seat on top on his desk and feet on the seat, facing Mike as Caleb leaned back on the counter. 

"I didn't see you earlier this morning." Cooper stated.