The Beat Of Your Heart

Chapter Two

^Meet Cole

C H A P T E R   T W O

You know in the end we are all messed up somehow. No one is clean cut with no edges, no uneven sides. We all have our flaws. And that's okay.

But my friend group... they are all fucked up. They need mental help and so do I.

It's October and here in Pennsylvania it is getting quite cold. To be precise it is autumn. The season everything is slowly dying, but at the same the most beautiful season of all.

And naturally we have school. I go by bus, because I can't afford a car. And it is half as bad if I have earphones, with way too loud music in my ears, according to my dad, but the violin is playing in an adequate volume for me.

While I listen to music I just stare out the window which is quite relaxing. I love the colors of fall. It is the easiest way to fall in love, with the different shades of red and orange. The ride is about 30 minutes with a bunch of Freshmen, Sophomores, a few juniors and no seniors, except Frank who never talks much, but has a brilliant mind.

I get off the bus in a bad mood since I have to stop listening to Ella Fitzgerald's song "Dream A Little", my favorite song. I take off one ear to enjoy the last seconds before...

A heavy body jumps on my back. I stumble a bit, but after ten years you get used to it. He ruffles my hair with one hand and the other one is around my shoulders.

"I missed you, buddy." Liam says from behind me in my ear. I think he is screaming since I hear him clearly. That is the thing about Liam Gardner, nothing embarrasses him. And I love it.

I wiggle vigorously to get him off me and he finally does after a long struggle. "I am no dog, Gardner." I complain, punching his shoulder.

He rubs his shoulder exaggeratingly. "Dude, I keep forgetting you can hit like a guy."

I roll my eyes at him and point my finger at him, accusingly. "That's sexist." He puts his hands up in fake surrender. "Sue me." he says sarcastically.

I smirk as an idea pops up in my head. "Where is Madi? So she can beat your ass." I ask looking around. I look at him smugly as his features drop into pure horror.

You see, Madalena, or Madi, is a strong independent Latina woman. She knows how to convince you, either with her words or with her fists. She is the definition of a savage. If someone messes with anyone from our group she is the one that will tear them to pieces. She is fun to have around. Life never gets boring with her sassy manners. The only one she sweet to, is her boyfriend of 3 years, Chase Johnson. He is a dark skinned guy who is best friends with Liam. Honestly great guy to have around because he calms Madalena if she gets to protective.

And did I mention she is a strong feminist.

"Please, don't tell her anything. Last time she gave me a wedgie. I haven't had a wedgie since third grade and then she came along! That was one of the most painful experiences in my life!" he begs, with pain in his eyes, looking around for Madalena terrified.

I roll my eyes and murmur. "Pussy." I walk towards the entrance of the big public school. I hear a faint offended "hey" as I walk away, which means he screamed it quite loudly.

I laugh lightly as I enter the school and spot Cole leaning on his locker immediately, and so does he. He is being spoken to by a girl, he isn't talking to her, she is the only one talking in that conversation, Cole doesn't speak much.

I don't know why, but we have this thing that we can feel each other's presence all the time. I am closer to Cole than Liam, who I have known my whole life. I met Cole two years ago, and ever since then, we became great friends. He is secretly my best friend, but I can't tell Liam or he is going to kill me. Cole is the laid back guy. He is really intimidating, not many people talk to him, other than our reserved group. Not because he is weird but because he is scary and serious. But once you get closer to him he is actually funny and warm, talk-active even. He is a great friend.