There Are Only Two Swings

1

The bus came to a halt, a high pitched screech sounding as a result. Though the noise didn't wake him up, the forward momentum certainly did, as he nearly kissed the green leather seat in front of him. The boy groaned, fixing himself and putting his phone in his jacket pockets, grabbing his bag and his coffee and getting off the bus with a tired sigh. He looked up at the school building, the crisp smog-filled air waking him up from the warm artificial heat on the bus. He felt the other kids around him move in fast forward as he begrudgedly walked up the steps of the school and into the ancient building.

He eventually made it to his locker, located in the end of the English building. He put in his combination, but to his dismay, the locker refused to open. "I'm too tired for this..." he growled tiredly, punching the locker, before proceeding to put in his passcode again. The locker opened with ease this time, and he was able to finally relieve his backpack straps and his shoulders from at least some of the weight inside his bag. "Josh!" The boy pulled out one of his two ear buds, looking around the crowded hall. "JOSH!!" He turned in the direction of the voice, seeing a small hand waving above the sea of students. He smiled as the figure calling out his name neared him. "Hey Sam" he said as the girl neared him. She was nearly a foot shorter than him, with choppy light brown hair styled into a quiff on top of her head
Her stature was short, but her figure was strong; muscles being flaunted in her tank top and running shorts. And underneath were the slight curves of abs coming in. Her cheeks were flushed red against her otherwise pale skin, most likely from running and jumping to get Josh's attention, paired with the yelling. Her backpack was slung over her shoulder and she had a basketball in her hand. "Hey Josh, do you have room in your locker?" She asked, looking inside his locker, stuffing her basketball inside. "Thanks, love ya, bye!" She said before running off. Josh spun around, watching her leave. "See ya" he said softly, waving at the running figure, before chuckling, shaking his head. He closed his locker, and began walking to class. "Sup Josh" The boy turned to see his other, auburn haired friend. "Hey Tyler" he said as he waited up for him. They boys were relatively the same height, give or take an inch. Tyler had slightly sunkissed skin to compliment his curly auburn hair, and during the summer, freckles danced across his nose and shoulders. "Did you do the math homework?" Josh asked as they turned into their classroom. "Josh, tell me: when have I ever don't the math homework at home?" He asked, causing his black hair friend to chuckle. "Touché" Josh said, dropping his bag next to his desk. Tyler sat in the seat in front of him, spinning around to face him. "We need to make plans this summer" he said. Josh nodded. "Lets get through finals first" the boy said. Tyler let out a dramatic groan. "Ugh, finals. I completely forgot!" Josh raised an eyebrow, though he knew Tyler couldn't see. "How did you forget about finals? We have like three weeks of school left" "I know... just... don't judge me" Tyler pouted, looking up at his friend, sticking out his tongue. Josh laughed at his childish behavior. "You got a job at that ice cream parlor right? How do you expect to serve people with your hair constantly covering your face?" He asked, flipping up a piece of Josh's wavy hair.

Josh had his black hair styled to cover the top half of his face for as long as his friends could remember. They had no idea what his eye color was, if his eyebrows matched his hair color, or if his forehead was a acne free as the rest of his face. But every time they asked him about it, Josh dodged the question, visibly uncomfortable. So, being the good friends they are, they let it be. They didn't pressure him to spill or push him to explain himself.

Josh shrugged his shoulders. "I'll figure something out" he said, with a small smile. Tyler nodded his head, closing his tired eyes, humming softly in content. The bell rang at 7:58 am sharp, jolting him from his near slumber. Tyler set his head down on Josh's desk again, closing his eyes. The rest of the students files into the classroom along with the teacher, who was so short she could honestly pass for a student. She had mousey brown hair, but recently died it firey red and orange al a early 2000 paramore. She set down her bag at her desk stretching. "Good morning class" she said with a perfect smile framed with muted pink lipstick. "Its time to start talking about our final. Tyler, no sleeping in my class. You can do that in History class. And turn around. You'll have plenty of time to talk to your boyfriend after class" she said teasingly. Tyler blushed a bit, turning around and everyone let out a small laugh. Josh and Tyler weren't dating, and history was Tyler's favorite class, facts their teacher knew. She just loved to tease her students. "Alright, now that I ha ave everyone's attention, let's talk about your final" she said with an almost mischevious smile