Middle of the Week Motivation

The Running Boy

There was a pitter-patter of feet in the hallway as Mark struggled with his lock. Why this school still required you to use lockers, even though it was a college, puzzled the raven haired boy, but rules are rules nonetheless. He pushed a few strands of his dyed, cherry red hair out of his face and continued to tug on the lock. This was quite embarrassing really, seeing as he was considered one of the toughest guys at the school. He wasn't quite sure why though, perhaps it was because of the legacy his older brother left behind, or the fact that he beat a senior who was trying to bully him on the first day of school. Probably a bit of both. He was glad, however, that the hallways were empty as he struggled against the tiny piece of metal. Well, mostly empty.

The pitter-pattering of feet grew louder, causing the brown eyed boy to turn his head, curiously surveying the situation around him. Another student ran by him, slinging his backpack off his shoulders and tossing it at the ground near Mark's feet, not even breaking stride. The boy rounded the corner, Mark curiously peeking around the edge of the wall and watching him as he ran. He mentally made a note of what the running boy looked like. Green hair. Pale skin. Probably about his height. T-shirt. Skinny jeans. He turned back to his locker, staring at the bookbag curiously before looking at the lock that held the things he needed inside. He tried once more, before giving up. He was supposed to go meet some friends at the library soon anyway.

"Hey, Mark!" A voice called, stopping him in his tracks and causing him to turn around to face them. He sighed. Not those 'friends.'

"Hey Eric." He replied, putting on a fake smile. "What you up to?"

Eric shrugged. "Nothing much." He eyed the backpack laying underneath Mark's locker, almost as if he knew who it belonged to. He noticed Mark watching him and quickly looked away. "What about you?" He asked, as if to change the subject.

"Gotta go study, Chem test tomorrow." Mark sighed, rolling his eyes. Eric nodded knowingly.

"Ms. Roberts?"

"Ms. Roberts." Mark confirmed.

Eric laughed. "Good luck dude. You're gonna need it."

"Thanks."

"See ya around, alright?"

Mark nodded, waving to Eric. Mark walked out the front doors, looking back once more to see Eric hover around the backpack a few moments longer before turning around the corner, picking up his pace into a full out run.

Studying went well, Bob and Wade always seemed to help him understand things better than any teacher. The night came and went, as well as the next, so Mark found himself struggling with his locker again. And yet again, like clockwork, the green haired boy came running down the hall again, passing Mark as he tugged on the lock. Mark growled, and punched the locker, wanting to scream in frustration. The green haired boy rounded the corner, before stopping and coming back into sight, walking over to Mark.

"What's your combination?" The green haired man asked, looking at Mark with his ocean eyes.

"What?" Mark stuttered out, confused.

"What's your combination? I don't have much time."

"16-26-32."

The green haired boy gently shoved Mark to the side, his eyes flickering to the direction in which he had just come, before twisting the lock. Within 2 seconds, the lock hung open and the green haired boy was off running again, around the corner, out of sight. Mark didn't even have time to say thank you. He stood there for a second, just staring at the lock as he took it off the locker and held it in his hands.

"You ok there Mark?" A voice asked. Mark turned and saw Eric standing there, eyeing him curiously.

"I- uh, the lock." That's all Mark could manage out.