Almost Easy // Synacky

three

6th September 1998

"Brian, I'm sick of your attitude! Get out of my classroom," Mr Walker shouted, crossing his arm firmly across his chest, "and you're not far behind Sullivan."

Jimmy instantly stopped laughing, coughing until a small smirk took its place. Brian groaned, pushing back his chair and walking towards the door, his feet dragging on the floor. He opened the door, winking at his classmates before closing it behind him. There was a low murmur of giggles and whispers as he left, and Jimmy shook his head, leaning over to Val who was next to him.

"He's a fucking joker," he said, causing Val to raise her eyebrows.

"Well that's one way to put it," she said, turning back to her notes, twirling the pen between her fingers.

On the other side of the door, the brown eyed boy kicked the wall that confined him within the corridor, making him feel claustrophobic. There was an overwhelming sense of dread being stuck in the corridor. It reminded him of the past, and his supposed old self, which he so desperately wanted to leave in Iowa. Something about being back in California irritated him. It wasn't that he didn't have friends, or his family. He had Jimmy again which made things much better. Perhaps it was the disappointment of what he was in Iowa, and how it seemed to haunt him wherever he went. It was most likely though that he needed a girlfriend – he needed to get something out of his system, even if he didn't know what that was.

He knew he had let himself down, but he didn't care in that moment. Science was something he was quite good at, but he was never given the chance to prove himself – also annoying the teacher was more fun.

"Brian?" a voice said, snapping him out of his hazy thoughts. He spun around to see Michelle staring at him curiously, brunette locks falling from behind her ears. A rosy tint flushed her cheeks as she pushed the strands of hair away from her eyes, a small smile creeping onto her face.

"Oh, Michelle," he sighed, defeated as he turned to face her.

"Don't sound too disappointed," she said, pretending to be hurt.

"Sorry, 'Chelle, just Walker's being a prick."

"Is this why you're standing out here," she said, hugging the book she was holding to her chest.

"Voila. Whatever though man, your sister's in that class, I'm sure she gets it." He was itching for a smoke, as he shifted his weight to his other leg and leant against the wall behind him.

"Val's immune to any shit you guys give her now. You have no sympathy with her."

"What about you then?"

"Well I guess you have my sympathy. He's renowned for being an asshat," she paused, sighing and looking up at him through long eyelashes. They seemed to flutter, and he heard her take a sharp intake of air, before continuing, "but Brian you should really try and play nice."

She took a step closer to him, biting her lip as she stifled a giggle.

"I know for a fact that you're nice under all that attitude, good looks aren't just everything you know."

"So you think I'm good looking?" he smirked, flicking his head back so the few stands of hair left his vision.

"I never said that," she took another step towards him, "But then again, who doesn't?"

Michelle's face was inches from his, but before he could act, there was a small sneeze from behind them. Brian adverted his gaze from Michelle to the small boy behind her. He was red in the face, embarrassment evident as he tried desperately to avoid eye contact. The boy sniffed a few times, before looking at him – blue eyes meeting brown.

"Oh hey Zack," Michelle said, running a hand through her hair. "I better get going, I'll see you both later." She smiled at them both, looking one last time at Brian, before walking away.

"You okay Zack?" Brian asked, tone slightly bitter as his moment with Michelle had passed. The other boy looked at him bewildered.

"I was just going to the nurse's office. You okay? Walker being a pain?"

Brian was shocked that Zack even realised he was in Walker's lesson – although it could've been a lucky guess. But he was more shocked that Zack asked if he was okay, like he cared about him. All he had done previously was avoid him.

"Yeah I'm fine, just got kicked out for laughing at a heart dissection."

"Bit cruel," Zack sniffed again, his eyes terribly watery as he gave a small grin back.

"You sure you're alright," Brian said, head cocked to one side, "I'll come with you to the nurse's office if you want."

"Its fine, you're already in trouble," Zack stopped speaking for a second, looking at the door which swung open with such force, it was a wonder it didn't slam into the wall behind.

"Baker, shouldn't you be in lesson?" the man asked, brows furrowed as he crossed his arms, waiting expectantly.

"Just going to the nurse now sir," he said, walking away quickly before he could reply. He spared a final glance at Brian before disappearing around the corner.

"Haner, what do you think you're playing at?" he asked, turning to face the smaller boy. He simply shrugged in return, saying he wouldn't do it again. "I hope not. You're a bright kid, but it's clear to see why you got expelled at your last school."

Brian rolled his eyes, sighing exasperatedly. He knew he was right.

"Focus now, otherwise you and Sullivan won't last the rest of this year," he said, moving back so Brian could re-enter the classroom.

He sat back down again, he couldn't help but feel as if this wasn't the last time they would have this conversation; he couldn't help but frown at that thought.

As he looked up again towards the door, he could see through the window a boy walking down the corridor, holding a bottle and some tissues. Zack – and the smile soon returned to his face.

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Bit of a short filler, but the original chapter we wrote felt too sudden for whats been said before. We hope this is okay and that you enjoy it! 

Any comments or thoughts are appreciated x