High on you

Two of us

The back of George's throat burned with the sour taste of morning. He tried to mask it with the freshly brewed tea his mother had handed to him before rushing out the door but it still itched. He curled his fingers around the black handle of the stylized car that was just so endearing and hopped inside. Before he could offer a greeting, he coughed and his throat inflamed.

"Cough into your elbow like a civilized human being." The warm tease cocked George's head to the side.

"Morning to you too Paul" he smiled and for emphasis, he sniffled. The sun rays that broke through the spotless windows bounced on Paul's glimmering pink jacket.

"Nothing says end of summer quite like yer yearly cold." Paul scrunched his face in a teasing grin to which George returned. He took his tea into his curled hand and let his early time fade into a later one as Paul had yet to drive off.

"I don't want to go"

Paul laughed beside him, slipping his phone out from its previous place in his cup holder. George quirked his brow.

"And I suppose you do?"

Paul shook his head. "Course not. But you gotta do what ya gotta do Georgie."

Paul was so bright right now, George could swear his smile twinkled. George gave a burning scowl as Paul flickered through his music playlist.

"Yer really dragging yer feet though, huh?" George caught Paul's eye as he cockily slipped at his tea. Paul locked his phone and turned the radio on in one motion. He already picked up the tune of the song as he pulled off the curb.

As they walked up to the school, George's pace was slowed in comparison to Paul's natural slight speed. He observed the lightness of Paul's feet and the way he flicked his hair out of his eyes.

"Wait for me, PrimaDonna!" George called out and Paul turned with cheeky grin. He let George catch up to him and started gliding forward again.

"I'll meet you behind the bleachers during yer gym class." Paul smiled as he galloped over to his locker. George huffed.

"Aye, I don't have a class that hour, I could just be going home, be grateful for me company!" Paul kicked his leg and George smiled.

"Do ya have cigs? Ya know me mum won't-"

Paul flicked a pack out from the inside of his jacket with a disapproving frown. "Ya, I really don't think you should be smoking though-"

"Spare me the speech Paulie. I'm gonna quit, ok? But I just have to fade it out slowly." George smiled and took the pack from Paul.

Paul bit his lip and shook his head. "Best not to let the teachers catch ya with that. Their still after ya for mouthing off to that maths teacher last year." Paul chuckled and took the pack, putting it back into his locker.

"And they won't expect their star pupil Paul McCharmly to have it!" George nicked Paul's cheek as the bell rang. Paul patted his shoulder and George wandered off to class. Paul shut his locker and went to his own class.

He had an AP English class first, he clutched his few books close to his chest and pushed the door open. A familiar looking teacher gave him a wide grin and looked as if he checked Paul's name off a list. He sat down at a desk, the classroom was so far pretty empty. So he pulled out a pen and started mindlessly doodling lyrics that were stirring in his brain.

But soon enough other classmates started filing inside and he put aside his things. He put his mind on the teacher and prepared to take notes. From the corner of his eye he saw a slouched classmate. He could barely see his face and he wasn't quite sure why it bothered him but it did.