Finding Skylar

Chapter 4 - Jett

T

he bell was deadly loud, it felt like my eardrums had a heavy metal band playing in them. We had been set classwork, none of which I had done due to catching up with Skylar the whole lesson. I closed my book, hoping to god that our form tutor wouldn't check them in the next couple of weeks and headed out to break, Skylar by my side. Wed been in deep conversation for the last half hour of the lesson, after we had been set a task to do in partners, to "find new friends and become familiar with everyone," but it wasn't like anybody really tried, the room was sat in a huddle of girls and boys, our table was the only one that had differed from that narrative.

"I can't believe I found you again Skylar," I said, in genuine shock. You couldn't have made this up, it was like fate had brought us back together, for better or for worse.

"Neither can I, I never thought I'd ever see you again."

The doors to the school grounds opened and cold air made cheeks flush with blood and hair blow across faces. We made our way to the cafeteria, almost being pushed along by the heavy flow of students flowing out of the building on both sides, the population of the school seemed to multiply at this time, which shocked me more than frightened me. I didn't even think these many people lived in this small area of the world, evidently, I was wrong.

I brought a small piece of toast and a carton of apple juice, Skylar following suit and we found an empty table, blocking out the noise of students gossiping and making new friends on their first day at this colossal school.

"Why didn't you notice me at the start?" I laughed, sipping my apple juice and taking a small bite of the now cold toast in my hands.

"I don't know! You just look so different than before! Bear in mind that the last time I saw you, you were five years old and probably five stone heavier," Skylar laughed, cheeks blushing. I chuckled too, Sky was right. It had been six years of dieting and torture, but it was worth it. If I hadn't gone through with it, I might not have been here today.

"I guess it has been a long time hasn't it. God so much has happened since then," I said, trying not to remember the past I didn't want to remember. My parents' divorce would always haunt me, even when I'm older. It was so sudden and out of the blue but then also clear as day at the same time. Skylar still had no idea what had happened to me since then, there were all these memories and then a dark grey patch that I couldn't find the strength to bring up.

We finished our food, sipped the last of our apple juice cartons and filed out, side by side once again. The bell, seemingly ringing louder every time it sounded, punched my eardrums again and I was off to my first lesson, English. Skylar wasn't in my set so we hugged goodbye. Now was the absolute challenge of finding the right room, something I had been dreading since the end of primary school and through the summer break. Luckily, they have maps in the back of the school organizers each student has so I would be able to find my own way soon enough.

I just couldn't believe I had found Sky.

I was still in a state of shock.

Six whole years.

It felt like a lifetime.