A Year Without Snow

-19-

Monday, 12th December 2016

"And, with that, either your future gets started and you walk upon the beginning of a fulfilling career. Or, and most likely, might I add, you push yourselves into a life of disappointments. Starting, right here, on your colleges' applications." He informed us while standing up from his chair and walking to the front of his desk where he leaned, facing us, a grave expression on his face. "So be careful. Very careful. The college you pick, can and will change your whole life. That if you are accepted into one, to begin with. And... if you're getting scared right now, don't bother. There's nothing you can do at this point.

But, of course, for those of you who worked hard for the last four years of high school, congratulation, you've bought yourself a ticket to success. However, if you didn't... I guess it will be a pleasure to see you at the local grocery store for the years to come. Oh well... look its the bell. I guess that dismisses you. Not even the teacher has power over his classroom. This system will be the end of us."

Everyone stood up. In a sudden and quick motion. Trying to get as far from the reach of Mr. Thompson as possible.

"That man, that man will be the end of us," Dallas complained as we made our way out of the classroom.

"I kind of like him," Grace stated as we walked towards the cafeteria, the long and loose red dress she was wearing flowing behind her.

"God, that man is quite the character, he is." Sofia's voice sounded from behind us.

"Oh, hi Sofia." We greeted her as she walked alongside us.

"Didn't know you were in this class," I said as we entered the cafeteria. Buzzing with sound and life, nothing else to be expected for a room full of teenagers.

"Yes, am I that unnoticeable?" She asked laughing.

"Not at all!" Dallas answered while moving from where he was next to Grace and walking to Sofia and putting an arm around her. "What you say, you and I share a sandwich?"

"Is that some kind of a proposal?" She asked.

"Oh, yes. For Dallas sharing food is the greatest act of commitment." Grace added while passing a hand through her white painted hair.

"Indeed, Mushroom! And it shall be food who unites us again!" He agreed with her as we walked to our table where Scar was already seated.

"Jeez, Dallas it requires a translator to talk to you," I commented as I sat down on my usual stop and saw that I was the only one doing so.

"You, mushroom, sit!" Dallas commended.

"I was going to sit with them on the oth-"

"Shut! And sit!" He repeated pointing to the spot next to me.

Grace did as he said, an uneasy expression on her face.

Dallas walked up to me and hugged me from behind and whispered in my hear, "I'm making things right, again." And with that, he walked away to the other side of the cafeteria.

"Anyone care to explain to me what the fuck's going on?" Scar asked with a confused expression displaying along her face.

"Dallas. Dallas happened." I smiled at her and surprisingly enough she smiled back, not only at me but at Grace as well, who returned the smile.

"You know I'm sorry, right?" Grace asked looking at our blue-haired friend.

"I figured." Scar answered and Grace stared at her, waiting for a bigger reply. "Okay, okay. I'm kinda sorry, too."

"Was there a problem?" Sophia asked from beside me while taking out her lunch from her purse.

"Yeah, kinda. Things have been rough." I answered hesitantly, not really sure what else to say.

"I understand, high school." She sighed.

"I can't wait to go to college," I said and she nodded in agreement.

"My boyfriend went this year and he said that it has nothing to do with high school, people just mind their own business."

"Here that's the only thing people know how to do." I replied, noting happily that Grace and Scar were emersed in conversation, "It must have been hard on you, to see him go and you stayed."

"Yes, it was. We have been dating for four years now. So you know, kinda started to count on him a lot, and then suddenly he's gone." She answered.

"Yeah, I know," I simply replied as Dallas made his way back to the table, followed by Bryson and Carson, the later rolling his eyes dramatically.

"Oh, God, this isn't going to end well," Grace noted as she shook her head.

They approached the table and Dallas pulled up the two chairs in which Bryson and Carson usually sat, "Ladies please have a seat."

I rested my face on my hands and looked at Dallas with a face of astonishment.

"You gotta be fucking kidding me! You couldn't be more gay, dude." Carson said as he crossed his arms.

"Woah, nice insult." Scar commented from her seat.

"Shut it, blueberry." Dallas said, "Now, please sit the fuck down. Because this whole feuding thing is going to end today."

"There's no way, I'm going to sit-"

"C'mon, Carson," Bryson said as he sat down a blank expression on his face. Carson looked contraried but sat down, nonetheless, muttering under his breath.

"Good," Dallas added as he sat on his own seat and folded his hands on the table in a business-like way. "Now, I want you all to agree that you won't ever again fight."

"Okay, I'm out of here," Carson said standing up until Bryson grabbed him by the arm and he sat down again.

"Dallas, I don't think that's the best way to deal with-" Grace said until Dallas cut in.

"You, shut it! You've got to promise you won't fight. If you don't, Daisy won't borrow us the storehouse."

"I never said that," I said raising my head from my hands.

"Shut it! Promise! You all!" He demanded, "Except you, Sofia, you did nothing wrong."

Sofia simply smiled, looking confused. And I felt ashamed about what the poor girl must be thinking of us right now.

"I ain't going to promise nothing." Scar said as she too crossed her hands over her chest.

"C'mon, Scar! Or... Or I won't ever speak to any of you again!" He dramatically concluded reflecting her pose and crossing his arms.

"Okay, okay." I finally said, "We all promise."

"You have all to say it." He said and half of the table groaned.

"God..." Grace sighed, "I promise."

Dallas smiled and looked hopefully at Bryson who replied, "Me too."

"Scar..." He trailed looking intensely at her.

"Go fuck yourself." She simply answered.

"She promises too." Grace translated.

"Carson, your turn," Dallas said a broad smile on his face.

"I agree with Scarlet."

"Oh, fuck yes! Now we can all eat!" He exclaimed while he took the usual containers of food from his backpack.

And just a few minutes later the table was busing with conversation again. At the time we didn't know if that was a momentary peace or a lasting one, but that seemed to be enough to ease Dallas soul. As well as mine.