Almost Everything | on hold

25 | The Start of Something Unexpected

[25 | The Start of Something Unexpected]

🌜🌕🌛

The bustle of the hallways threatens to swallow him whole, all the seniors and their jitters brimming over the top, their tensions and anxiety only magnified by the shots of caffeine the long line at Starbucks indicated they drowned earlier. It's the feeling that comes when finals are about to end. Where you either fuck up the last exam because of the excitement of winter break or ace it because of the fear of the report card. Either way, the unmistakable sense of rush and nerves in the air has Theodore's anxiety flying through the roof.

He's just finished his math final — to which he's sure he excelled at. Regardless of that one question that took him almost seventeen minutes to solve. In all honesty, Theodore is just going to be grateful for whatever grade he gets. It's a miracle he's studied anything at all what with his brother in town, dealing with his father (who's trying to make amends and is a tad more tolerable now) and trying to salvage a relationship with his mother.

Theodore is pushing his locker shut when Dalia pops besides him, her arms flailing around her while jumping up and down, an outstretched grin plastered on her glossy nude lips.

"So remember when I told you at the start of the year how I'm probably failing physics? Well, I think I did just that right now."

"And we're-we're happy ab-about that?"

"God, no. My parents are going to have my head for it but that's for later to worry about. Right now, it's winter break baby!" She reaches over and shakes his arm like a tin can.

He smiles slowly. "Yeah, a break does sound real nice r-right now."

They make their way out of the school. "Tell me about it! I mean, I don't have Christmas to celebrate and gifts to get excited over, but I can't wait for the winter trip this weekend. This trip is my Christmas. I've been waiting since freshman year for this."

"Wait, that's-that's this week?" Theodore has totally forgotten everything about this trip. His mind lately scattered everywhere, from how much his life has turned upside down. He remembers vaguely how Isla explained to him what the senior trip is and how their school always plans it every year, just before the holidays. The school rents a couple of lodges up in the mountains and students get to spend two days of skiing and drinking hot chocolate while trying not to get caught smuggling alcohol.

He looks away. "Yeah, I-I don't think I'm-I'm going."

"Not going where?" Isla's muffled voice comes from under the scarf she's buried her nose and mouth under. They're outside now, their group of friends all huddled against each other while rubbing their arms and trying to get as much warmth in as they can. Amir stands uncomfortably next to Sam, awkwardly trying to put his arm around her shoulders while she continues to ignore and shrug his arm off. Theodore shakes his head, figuring they must have fought once again. Their fights have been happening more frequently recently and he makes a mental note of asking Amir about it later and checking on him.