The Unseen Void and The Untold Story (ON HOLD)

Chapter 1: The Beginning of a New Adventure

1

The Beginning of a New Adventure

As I charge out the front door, I yell to my mom, “Bye, and have a good day!” I was late for the bus yet again. My hair was a total mess, for I didn’t have the time to fix it up. I had strands of hair sticking up in the back, which drives me crazy. Even worse, today is picture day. I’m sure I’ll find a way to fix it when I get to school. My long, dirty-blonde hair is always in my face. My hair sometimes covers my bright blue eyes, colored like the sky, which doesn’t annoy me. I love having long hair. I always grew up with short hair, so it’s nice to know I look different now.

I walk down to where my bus stop is located, right on top of a sewer. It’s quite ironic if you ask me, standing on top of a shitty location, when school is shitty itself. I’ve never been a fan of school. The only reason I ever attempt to go is to socialize with my friends. Once I get to my stop, I trip, landing in a pile of wet mud. “Are you kidding me!?” I yell in anger. It rained just yesterday, so the mud was pretty slimy. I would probably be the clumsiest person you’d ever meet. My deep, ocean colored, blue shirt had mud splotches all over it. Now I know I’m screwed for picture day.

The bus finally arrives, and I step on, looking at my feet as I take each step, making sure I don’t trip and fall. My bus driver says, “Good morning,” in a sarcastic, tired voice. I don’t respond to her though, and I never do.  Everyone looks up, and stares at me with confusion. They must have noticed the mud on my shirt. I blush, getting splotches all over my cheeks, and try to focus on something else. Maybe Jenni can help fix up this mess I’ve created, I think to myself. Jenni is my best friend. I’ve known her since fourth grade, and we spend almost every day with each other. We’re closer than I am to my family, which is sort of how it’s always been.

I sit on the bus, casually listening to my music. I especially enjoy blasting my music, so there are no surrounding sounds that I can identify. As I wait patiently for the bus to arrive at school, I sit as close to the window as I possibly can. While viewing all the landscape that passes by with every stop, I slowly grow more anxious to get to school. If Jenni isn’t there, I’m going to freak out! I slowly look down to see my shirt. The mud is starting to dry, which means it will be even harder to get out, I think to myself with worry.

Within time, the bus finally arrives at school. I gather my things, hop out of my seat, and quickly run out the doors and into the school. The back doors were we get dropped off at connects straight to the upper commons, or the lunch room. I hop down the stairs, and charge down the art hallway, which to my luck is right by the entrance, so I don’t have to worry about running into anyone.  I run towards the band room which is usually where Jenni is every morning. As I run down the hallway, I can Jenni just a few strides away from me. I yell quiet enough to get her attention, but not loud enough to capture others. “Jenni, thank god you’re here! Help me out will you?”

“What the hell did you do this time Conner?” says Jenni with a disappointed tone in her voice

“I kind of fell on my way to the bus into a puddle of mud, please help me!”

“You are so dumb, you know that right? Wow, even your hair is a total mess. Come on! let’s go get you cleaned up then.”

Jenni grabs my hands and pulls me along with her, leading me to the bathroom. Her grip is a little strong, but I don’t mind. I follow along with her, trying to match my steps with hers. We both walk up to the bathrooms, and Jenni gives me a stare. “We’re going into the girls’ bathroom,” she says. “No way Jennie,” I snap at her. “I can’t go in there! I’m a dude, and that would just be awkward anyway!” Jenni didn’t even seem to care, and pulled me in anyway.