High school: Auggie x Jack Will

Silent

Auggie's POV

Summer was going on about her summer volunteer work. This year she had gone to Vietnam to build a school for kids in need. Summer is great, I admire her for everything she's done, but she is that one person who likes attention for every little good deed she does, and she does a lot of them. But she's amazing, and she deserves the attention.

Charlotte was talking about her theatre camp. I've never been in a play or musical myself, mostly because I wouldn't want to ruin a show for the cast and audience, because a kid like me definitely would, but Via is minoring in theatre and I always love seeing her shows. Living in Manhattan is great when it comes to this stuff, we can see broadway shows pretty much anytime we want. Most people around here take it for granted, but I definitely love every minute of each show I get to go through. Via takes me and we make it a whole thing, and she treats me to my favorite restaurant after. I'm mostly in it for the food, and the no-stress feeling you get from watching a show and forgetting your responsibilities and problems, but I guess the theatre part is intriguing itself, too. I still would never be able to get myself to participate in it. I'm not really a risk-taker. Not at all. Sure, I'm playing it safe, but I don't see how that is a bad thing.

Jack is sitting there, quiet. He's leaning on my shoulder. I think he's stressed about school, it's not like he's got anything else to worry about. Jack is a great friend, I owe him the world for just tolerating my existence, but when people act like the world is falling apart for such insignificant reasons, when I'm here with legitimate problems like no one liking me and having to deal with myself being this way, it's frustrating. Nothing against Jack though, I mean, it's hard for me to see people complaining, and hard to see him upset like this, but I'll try and make an exception in return for his loyalty. I owe it to him.

Charlotte continues talking about theatre camp, and I chime in about Via's upcoming production of The Crucible at college. I suggest that we all see it together, and the girls excitedly agree. Jack nods, too. I don't know much about the show, just that it has witches. I always wished witches were real. Maybe they could fix me.

I check on Jack. At first I thought he was sleeping, but his eyes were wide awake. He looked troubled. I gave him a brief pat on the back and scooted over, respecting his privacy. I didn't think much of it, although Jack wasn't usually this quiet, it's our first day of freshman year. No one knows what they're doing. It has to be that.