West of Ordale

Volume 1, Pt. 1

       Evan wasn't sure how to react to the grandness of Chestnut Junior High.

       He understood it was just a normal middle school, but it still happened to take his breath away just by looking at it. It stood upon a small hill with large oak and birch trees towering around it. The clear blue sky really made the school's classic red brick walls stand out. The building was easily four stories high with so many windows Evan could get lost in counting them. The school's long and narrow driveway wound its way around really large trees from the main road up to the main doors of the school. If Evan hadn't known any better, he wouldn't of guessed it was a normal middle school, but something out of a book or movie.

       Evan whistled appreciatively, gazing up to the top of the school. He blinked, trying to focus. He heard a honk from behind him and turned around. His dad was waving through a car window, grinning as he drove away. Evan waved halfheartedly back and checked his watch. I still have a few.

       He was about to turn his gaze back to the school when someone bumped into his shoulder hard. Evan stumbled, barely catching himself. He glared at the person who had knocked into him. "Watch it!" He snapped, annoyed.

       A girl about his age stood next to him, glaring back at him. She had dirty blond hair tied back into a tight ponytail and pale blue eyes. She wore a faded gray sweatshirt with some sports team name on it.

       Her eyes glittered furiously. "I'd tell you the same thing," She growled, regaining her composure. "You ran into me!" Her voice was shrill and had an edge to it.

       Evan crossed his arms, arching an eyebrow. "Oh, is that so?" He said sarcastically. "Because I'm pretty sure you're the one that ran into me."

       The girl huffed. "Ugh, whatever." She brushed off her jeans and stalked off.

       Evan wrinkled his nose. Some people I'll never get. He shrugged it off and collected his bearings, making sure he still had everything. When he was satisfied that he had everything, he walked up to the doors of Ordale Junior High. Students of all ages streamed in and out of the building, some with their parents, others chatting with old friends. Evan tried to look at everyone's face so he could remember some people, but the kids were moving too fast. They veered out of his path, clutching books and watching the ground.

       The doors were large and tan with shining brass handles. The person in front of Evan-- a boy with curly blond hair and freckles-- held out the door for him so he could get inside. Evan nodded to the boy and he nodded fearfully back, like he was afraid that if someone looked at him for too long he'd be in trouble. He then walked quickly away, head bowed.

       The hallways of the school were plastered with pictures of the school's grand opening. Wooden benches lined the halls like soldier. Off of the main hallway branched three wings, each housing its own grade. Evan stood there for a while, letting kids walk past him while he took everything in. Then he headed down to the 8th grade wing.

       "HEY!" shouted a voice from the main doors of the school. Evan jumped as the sound boomed through the hallways, making an eerie echo. The kids in the hall turned around and glared at the speaker, while most keep on walking unfazed.

       A boy a little younger than Evan came running from the doors towards the 8th grade wing. The boy had messy brown hair like Evan and startlingly green eyes. He wore a red and white shirted shirt and baggy cargo shorts.

       The boy halted when he got to Evan, panting. Everyone in the hall stared at Evan. He felt his skin crawl. "What do you want, Eddie?" Evan muttered under his breath.

       Eddie was Evan's younger brother. He was going into 6th grade. Eddie was usually loud and rowdy, but it was because of his autism. He thought the only way someone could hear him was if he was loud. He didn't have autism as bad as other kids, but it still made him a nuisance.

       "You left me behind outside!" He cried. "Dad wanted us to walk in together. You should've waited for me to finish breakfast!"

       Some kids chuckled slyly. Evan felt his ears redden and he looked at his shoes. Worst first day of school in history, he thought bitterly.

       "Don't laugh!" Eddie scolded, wagging his finger dramatically at the kids. "Its true! I needed him to wait for me to finish breakfast! I told him to wait, but he come into school without me." Eddie pouted. "Its not funny."

       "You know what is funny?" A nearby kid asked mockingly. Eddie gazed at him, his head tilted to one side. "That you still need someone to walk you to school! Go back to kindergarden, loser!" He shoved Eddie and laughed. Other boys laughed too, telling him 'good on!' or 'best one yet!'

       Evan glared and opened his mouth to retort, but Eddie beat him to it. "What's wrong with having someone walk me to school?" He seemed utterly confused. 

       He let out a sigh as the boys laughed harder. "Nothing, I promise." Evan told Eddie. "Now how 'bout you go to your homeroom, the bell will ring soon."

       Eddie nodded. "See 'ya, Evan!" He smiled and ran off, zigzagging between people. People stared at Evan and his skin prickled. He stared at the ground and shuffled off, already late to homeroom.