The Love Club

magnets

"pretty girls don't know the things that i know."

Calum:

Bullshit.

Absolute bullshit.

"Calum, relax, ok? It's not a big deal. We do this every year."

I roll my eyes and cross my arms. As much as I hate admitting Michael is right, it's true, we do go through this every year.

"You sit and pout in the car for fifteen minutes alone and then eventually come follow us like a lost puppy. It's just high school, man; it sucks but this is our last year dealing with this shit. Ok?"

I sigh, playing with the sleeve on my grey sweater. "Whatever."

Michael stands up from leaning on the old blue jeep we drive, smiles, and claps my back, sympathetically. "We'll get through it together, a'ight?" I nodded and grinned weakly.

"Calum's time of the year again?" I look up and see Luke walking towards us with a playful smirk, his grey backpack slung over his shoulder. I sigh dramatically and hug him briefly as he approaches. Michael does the same and laughs, "Wouldn't be the first day of school without our favorite tradition." I punch him lightly and glance over to my left, taking in my surroundings.

It's a nice school, don't get me wrong.

We're lucky to be able to go to such a lovely place and receive an education. The idea is nice, but the system is bullshit. As previously mentioned.

I could go on and on about my hatred for the education system, but instead I close my eyes and take a deep breath. The smell of grass and the outdoors on the warm breeze floats through my senses and I take it all in, slowly opening my eyes.

I see many people walking off buses and into the school, despite the fact that the final bell doesn't ring for another twenty minutes. I see a range of kids at the outdoor lockers and a few riding bikes and a few talking in small groups. There's kids on the basketball court, kids smoking in the parking lot, kids reading under a big tree on the damp green grass.

It's weird to see.

Everything looks the same as it always does but something is different. I credit the fact that because I'm now a senior, I feel as if I'm looking through someone else's eyes. Everything is the same but different.

The sun is peeking through the clouds and it warms my exposed skin and filters into the light sweater I'm wearing.

"Calum, did you?" Luke asks, stirring my thoughts.

"Huh? Did I what?"

"Did you end up going to the 'Slammer' Saturday?" He asks me with a shit eating grin on his face, already knowing the answer.

"At least I was invited, asshole. Can't say the same for you." I fire back, giving him the same cocky expression.

Michael laughs as Luke's cheeks flush pink, and he punches me playfully. "Fuck off, Cal. You know I would if I could."

"That's the thing, you can. It's a free-for-all. No one cares who actually shows up."

"Yeah I know. It's not because of that..." Luke trails off looking behind me. Michael and I turn around to see Ophelia Rose getting out of her car, followed by her group of friends. Michael turns around to shoot Luke an annoyed look.

"How are you gonna get her to be with you if you can't even walk up and talk to her?"

Luke rolls his eyes slightly and sighs. "I don't know, Mikey, but for now I'm okay with admiring from a distance."