Walchester, Massachusetts, 1500 hrs (3 p.m.)
ZACH
I yelled my last goodbye to his friends as I ran up the steps of the bus. Erika was already on. She rolled her eyes at my smile and went to the back of the bus with her friend Luke. I plopped into a seat and slid over to the window. I sighed and watched the scenery slowly start to move. Finally. The last day of school. I couldn’t wait to get home, grab a can of soda, and flop down on the floor of my room and do nothing. Clunk. A backpack hit the ground.
“Hey Zach-o, what goes on?” A brown-haired boy slid in next to me, kicking his backpack over.
“Hi Oreo,” I smiled. Ethan leaned back and spread out his feet.
“Smile, dude, you look depressed.” Ethan nudged him with his foot.
“What? No, man, I’m pumped! It’s summer! Just…”
“Tired?” Ethan pulled out a chocolate bar and took a bite.
“Yeah.”
“You, my friend,” Ethan said, pointing at me with the chocolate bar, “need to jump into a pool.”
“Sounds good. Meet you there?” I laughed.
“You bet, man. Half of the school will be there!” His eyes glinted mischievously. “And that includes Ashley…” Ethan finished in a sing-song voice.
“Shut it, dude. Someone will hear.” I gave him a shove. My crush on Ashley dated back to first grade, when we were best friends. Then Ashley got popular, and…well, I couldn’t seem to get a moment alone with her. It was a secret I didn’t want the entire school knowing, especially Ashley. So obviously 'Ethan had to mention it every time Ashley was around.
"Alright, fine." I said. "I'll see you there."
