The Calm Before the Storm

You're back!

I am currently sitting in third period, English with Mrs. Byrd, staring at the poster behind her. It has some political figure on it. I think it is meant to be some kind of joke. I can't really tell. Jokes aren't really my forte, and neither are politics. Either one of them never make very much sense to me. 

The intercom dings, signaling an announcement. I train my ears to listen. I silently pray that it isn't the principal requesting an audience with Everett and Phoenix. There whole little fight this morning is the talk of the school. Oh, and don't let me forget to mention myself. Everyone is just so intrigued that Everett Prince's twin sister who is a nobody lost her crap on two very big guys in front of the whole school. 

"Everly Prince please report to the front office." 

Once again, all kinds of eyes are focusing on me. I scramble out my seat to exit the room in a calmly fashion. My calmly fashion doesn't go as planned. I end up stumbling over someone's backpack sitting in the aisle and almost fall on my face. Thank god I save myself from that embarrassment by catching myself on a random guys shoulder. 

I walk with my head down all the way to the front office. My cheeks are still burning from my almost fall. I am sure that is going to be talked about as soon as the period ends. By third period, everyone will have heard about it. The students here seem the only thing to do around here is gossip. Secrets spread like wildfire at Eastwood High. 

As I rounding the last corner to the office, a hand wraps around my mouth and snatches me into a closet. My fight over flight it put into overdrive. I start screaming and kicking like a maniac. Deep laughter fills the tiny janitor's closet. The light is turned on and I am let go. I whirl around, ready to defend myself if need be. When I see who kidnapped me, I know there is no need to defend myself, but that doesn't stop me from punching him as hard as I can in the shoulder.

"Ouch!" 

"You scared me you dumb ass!"

Michael Waters, my best friend since childhood, stands in front of me, rubbing his shoulder with a smile on his face. Like myself, Michael has a name to live up to. His father is Finn Waters, aka, my dad's best friend from high school. He was a delinquent like my parents, or at least that is what people say. He married my mom's best friend, Sarah. Less than a year after Everett and myself were born, Michael was born.

I can't remember a time Michael wasn't in my life. Unless you count the three months he has been gone. He left at the end of junior year to visit his grandparents in Paris. They usually came back to Eastwood for the summer, but their health is declining with age and all, which makes traveling a lot harder for them. So instead, Michael went to them, and left me alone to deal with Ansley's constant bickering. 

Michael looks like I remember him. There is something different though. Maybe it his hair. It looks like he just got a hair cut. He typically keeps his brown hair shaggy, but now it is cut and styled. The look suits him. He looks more adult. Not that he is much younger than I am. Barely a year, and he skipped kindergarten, so a lot people don't even know the difference in our age gap. He is just a senior to everyone else. 

"You're back!" The realization that he is home slaps me across the face. I throw my arms around him, and squeeze onto him like my life depends on it. "I have missed you so much. You are never allowed to leave for that long again. Got it?"

"Got it."

"I would love to stay and talk all about Paris, but I am needed in the office."

He laughs loudly. "I had Ms. Casher make that announcement. She sort of has a thing for me."

"You are an idiot." 

"I know you are, but what am I?"

I roll my eyes. "Real mature."

"Gotta make up for lost time."

I hug him tightly again. "I really have missed you, Mickey."

"I've missed you, too, Ev."