Ink Stain

Colby

A light heart brings an easy load. Living by this philosophy was easy, especially now. Who's to judge you? Who is there to impress? New school, new day. A first day. It was a little late to be jumping into it, but it was no big deal. Colby didn't mind it. What was there to be worried about? He always makes friends, and they've always kept in contact with him. Just last night he was thrown into a group text of people from his last town. But still, moving wasn't easy. Especially as often as he did. He was always an outcast at first, but within a day or two he had a group. It wasn't really that people were that friendly, but he was just that outgoing.

Colby loved this town. So much history and scenery, his favorite kind of town. He spent a good few hours lying in bed, awake and thinking about how he wanted to stay here and graduate. He wanted these next 3 years to be spent here. Meeting new people, going to new places. Maybe he'll stay here forever. There wasn't really a college here but he didn't wanna leave. Not again.

He thought about it, looking out the window he saw the sun beam through the autumn leaves. A warm glow filled his room, barely furnished as there was more moving to be done today. He took a brisk and quick shower, combed his hair to his perfect style and dressed up in the attire he always wore on a first day. Patterned button-up, khaki pants, and red sneakers. A true white boy, but the nice kind of white boy. The kind that finished last but could end up with a crew of good friends.

He finished on the last button and met eye contact with his reflection, taking a deep breath and smiling. Colby gave himself words of encouragement, to take risks and tell people everything about himself. Hope that something will stick and there will be a conversation. He closed his eyes, nodding as if he was agreeing with his own pep talk.

Colby ran downstairs, looking at his watch as he rounded the corner he saw his mom, just finishing his lunch. She was dressed for work, also her first day and already on the phone with a co-worker. Or, ex-co-worker now co-worker. She replied to the caller with only "Uh-huh"s and "Okay"s and handed Colby his lunch. He mouthed "Thank you!" And waved goodbye as he went out the front door. The school was not too far away, and he was up and going way early. So, he went for the "Sunday Stroll" pace as he walked down the sidewalk, smiling and tucking his thumbs under his backpack straps.