A Hint of Color (boyxboy)

Chapter 6

Maybe I've become a little more bitter since last year and care a little less about everything, but that's a good thing. It's the only way I've been able to survive high school this long.

But I haven't changed too much, besides dying my hair a deep red color.

I start my senior year off with one of the only classes I like: Art. Another reason I've been able to last this long. My teacher was awesome, encouraging me to channel my emotions into a creative outlet. I did some of my best work junior year. Unfortunately, she retired, so I hope our new teacher is alright.

There's a kid at the same table as me with dark blue hair, looking down at his hands. I don't recognize him, but there are a lot of people at our school that I don't really know.

Taylor arrives shortly after me and claims the seat next to me. "How was homeroom?" he asks.

"Pointless, as usual," I say.

He smirks.

Our new teacher, Mr. Kidwell, goes over the syllabus and then we do introductions. Boring but necessary stuff. I'm glad he doesn't make us do an ice breaker game. Those are always awkward, but at least I know most of the people in here already.

I smile and introduce myself, then look over at the blue-haired kid. His almond-shaped eyes widen slightly. This is the first time I get a good look at his face... and he's cute.

"Jude," he says, and that's all. I can tell he's nervous. His cheeks turn slightly red even when we've moved onto the next person.

It's actually really adorable, but I feel sorry for him. He looks lost. He must be new.

I want to ask him about that, but my friends who I haven't seen all summer hurry over to our table once all the introductions are over.

I catch up with them but Mr. Kidwell eventually asks everyone to stay at their own tables, so I turn to look at the boy next to me who's sketching quietly in his notebook. He definitely doesn't know anyone.

"You're new, aren't you?" I ask. He looks up after a moment, realizing that I'm talking to him. "I said, you're new, yeah?"

Jude nods and then looks back down at his sketchbook.

"What are you drawing?" I ask, leaning towards him so I can see.

He hesitantly slides it towards me.

"Sorry, I just get curious. I like to see what other artists' styles are like," I say, looking down at his little drawings of aliens and UFOs. I laugh softly. "These are funny."

I push it back towards him and he looks down.

"Cool hair," says Taylor.

Jude looks surprised, but he doesn't answer.

"You're quiet, aren't you?" I ask. He shrugs and looks away. "Don't like to talk?" He shakes his head. "Ah, I see..." I let him get back to his drawing. I guess he's really shy or honestly doesn't want to socialize with people.

I spend the rest of class chatting with Taylor about random stuff, but I don't see him again until later when we have lunch with Nadine and Evynne.

"It sucks that we don't have classes together," says Nadine, frowning across the table at me and Taylor.

"Yeah." I notice the blue-haired new student pass by our table with a slice of pizza, looking lost. He sits down at the table next to ours. "Hey, Taylor," I say, nudging him. "Why don't we invite the new guy over here?"

Taylor follows my gaze towards Jude, sitting by himself. "Sure." Nadine and Evynne look over curiously.

"He's cute," says Evynne.