It Ain't The Speakers |-/ JOSHLER

3: but we gø where we want tø

📓 TYLER'S PØV 📐

I was fumbling with the phone in my hand, sitting at the back row of the bus. I am really bad at starting conversations. It was mean of him to make me do it, I'd say, though I really wanted to. I just haven't the guts to say anything.

I pushed this thought out of my head, but as usual, something else that bothered me would flood my brain instead.

Sigh.

I've never told anyone about the Midland, ever since I found it on my second week when I got into this school two years ago. I used to go exploring alone during break times, and so I knew almost every corner and corridor in Zephyrus High.

I wasn't sure if I regretted telling Josh, my hideout was supposed to be a secret. A part of me felt uneasy about it, but another part was like, "why not?" and every reason I gave myself was seemingly rendered invalid.

I wished my brain would just shut up.

I hopped off the bus and put up my hoodie, to make sure I got to the assembly ground with minimal human interaction. Some people say they do that to "blend in", but I never really understood how that worked. It's not like everyone else had their hood up too.

Morning assembly. Not every school has it, I heard, and sometimes I wished my school didn't.

Imagine standing as still as possible with EVERYONE else in school, lined up in their civics classes, and sometimes its so crammed that I can hear people breathing. Packed like a can of sardines, and occasionally there would be someone nearby who actually smells like a sardine.

On the more positive side, it's the only time of the day where the teachers successfully get the students in order. Its really quiet too, and silence gives me space. I like it, though I've learnt that sometimes too much space isn't good.

"Stay in your line, boy" I heard Mr Trohman tell Frank Iero, a kid in the class lined up on my left, who somewhat unwilingly obeyed. He was my junior by one year which I met last semester.

Out of nowhere, A boy with pink hair and a wide grin slid into the line on my right, just seconds before he would be considered late, and the usual assembly "ritual" started. We all went still.

The instant we were dismissed however, everyone was running off in all directions. It felt like a hurricane around me.

"Hey Tyler do you know where classroom B21 is?"

Somewhat surprised that he was still standing beside me.

"Oh yeah of course, I'm heading there right now."

"We're in the same class for math...?"

"Whoa... That's gonna be interesting."

"but math isn't interesting"

I chuckled and took him up the stairs to the block that our grade usually had classes at.

We were just walking quietly, till he suddenly said "...you didn't text me".

I was afraid of this question.

I had anticipated it. I had planned my response. But I was afraid.

"Umm... My mom didn't let me use my phone last night till I finished my chores... And I didn't finish so..."

He laughed and that was the end of the conversation. Thank goodness, that turned out unexpectedly well. Technically it wasn't a lie, so I didn't feel too bad about it. I was pretty bad at lying sometimes, and I wish I could say it wasn't a weakness of mine, but it made me who I am.