Things Change

Chapter 1

Everything always stays the same. I wake up, take my antidepressants, eat a granola bar, get dressed in a long sleeved shirt and skinny jeans, drive to school, sit through three classes in the back, sit alone at my usual lunch table and draw, go to the forest near my house and walk around singing for my free period, sit through two more classes, get beaten up after school, drive to my part time job at a small bakery, work for 3 hours, go home, go to my room till my parents get back from the bar they were at every day, they beat me, then I have to make them dinner and clean everything, go back to my room, cut myself, shower, then cry myself to sleep, starving due to my anorexia.

That same cycle goes on and on, except for weekends were the school parts are replaced with sitting in my room. I'm not happy about it but, there is nothing I can do. Then something, well someone started changing my life. It all started at work.

I walked into the bakery and started heading to the staff room to get into my work uniform, which was just a light purple apron and hat with the bakery's logo on it. Before I could open the door, my manager, Phoenix stopped me.

"Hey Dan, we hired someone new. He's the same age as you so we need you to train him." Phoenix asked.

"Sure," Dan replied. "What's his name?"

"Phil, he should be coming any minute so go get changed." Phoenix ordered

I nodded my head and walked into the staff room. As I was making one last check it the mirror, I heard the door creak open. I looked over a saw a teen with raven black hair. He was wearing black skinny jeans and a bright blue and green pastel shirt. He looked at me with a big smile.

"Hi!" He said.

"I'm assuming your Phil?" I replied.

"Yep, can I ask who you are?" Phil said bubbly.

I walked over to him and held out my hand for a handshake.

"I'm Dan, I'm going to be training you." I replied.

I ordered him to get ready. He seemed a little familiar but, I just ignored it. He was cute though, really cute. Oh yeah did I mention Im gay? Probably not but, you guys and girls know now. When he was ready we walked out into the kitchen. I showed him around and showed how everything worked. Then I had him ring up a few customers. Phil was getting everything really fast but, I still don't understand where I recognized him.

After work I went home to complete the cycle that is my life. The next morning I went through the rest of my routine but, in passing time for second period I saw why I recognized Phil.

My first period teacher held me back and yelled at me for not doing my work, so I was running a little late and there wasn't that many people in the hallways. I was looking at the ground when something crashed into my side as I walked through the 4 way intersection in my school. I fell over and dropped all my stuff. I was about to get up myself as the person who ran into my probably hated me. As I was grabbing my stuff a hand was held out in front of me.

I looked up surprised and I saw him. His black hair. His blue eyes. His pale skin. Phil.

"Oh Dan, I'm so sorry."Phil said

"Oh uh, I didn't know you went to the same school as me." I replied

"I didn't either. I just transferred yesterday." He said.

I grabbed his hand and he pulled me up easily. He helped me grab my stuff then ran off. I kept walking to my next class while completely shocked.

After my next two classes I grab my sketchbook and drawing pencil from my locker then head to lunch. When I opened my sketchbook I looked at the drawing I made last night *top*. That was enough inspiration to know what I'm going to draw next.

As I was drawing and the sound in the cafeteria started to gentle a bit I heard a voice call my name and felt a presence next to me. I looked over and there he was, smiling and joyful.

"Hi Dan, whatcha doin'?" Phil asked clearly trying to look in my sketchbook.

"Oh uh n-nothing." I responded.

"Ok then, aren't you going to get lunch?" Phil asked.

"No, I'm not that hungry." I replied.

"Ok, are you waiting for other people to sit at this table with you?" Phil asked

I froze at what he said. Should I respond honestly? If I lie there would be no way to make it seem like I had friends. I guess I should just tell the truth.

"No, I'm not." I replied sheepishly.

"Oh, I see. Do you want me to leave?" Phil asked politely.

"You don't have to, I mean your the only person at the school that hasn't found a reason to hate me." I replied with a slight giggle.

"Oh that's not true, I'm sure there is someone else who likes you. What about those jocks over there." Phil asked.

"They have called me a faggot since they found out I'm gay." Dan replied.

"Oh uhh what about those band geeks over there." Phil asked with his voice breaking a bit.

"I'm just an emo loser to them."

"Drama kids?"

"Freak." I responded calmly.

"Ok, what about the hipsters." Phil asked clearly desperate for a good answer.

"Pussy." I responded with a heavy breath.

"Cheerleaders?"

"Faggot again."

Phil sat there looking defeated. The bell rang for a next period though. He looked over at me.

"What do you have for your next period?" He asked.

"I have free period. What about you?" I asked.

"Me too. What do you usually do for free period?" He curiously asked.

"There is a forest near my house I usually go to and just walk around." I replied.

"That's cool." Phil said.

"Want to tag-a-long?" I offered.

"Sure, I got nothing better to do." He said.

I went ahead and grabbed my sketchbook and pencils and we both stopped at each other's lockers. It was November so he grabbed a sweatshirt from his locker and I did so too. We walked out of the school and led him over to my car. I can't believe someone actually wants to hang out with me.