The Red Balloon [Heavy Editing]

1 .

❝If I lose myself tonight, it'll be by your side. If I lose myself tonight...

If I lose myself tonight, it'll be you and I. Lose myself tonight.❞

- If I Lose Myself Tonight (OneRepublic)

Amethyst Hayes

Today at school, something was different. I can't exactly say what it was, but I knew something was off. There was that nagging in my chest, making me question myself if I had forgotten something back at home. Quietly, I dug through my bag. After checking the items off of my mental list I unconsciously glanced over my shoulder to where he sat.

But found it empty.

Oh right.

Something in the back of my mind clicked, and I returned my attention to the front of my classroom. Devan Hughes; someone who I use to be really close with, had moved away because his father had been promoted to a new, and better job. I can't believe I forgot. But maybe it was for the better.

The teacher was flipping through papers attatched to a clipboard, and rubbed his temples with one hand as he did so. The class seemed to be shifting in their seats, some faint whispers in the back corner could be detected, but everyone including the teacher seemed too occupied to notice.

The teacher; Mr. Savkotzi, glanced at the clock and then his watch before sighing. My eyes lowered to the girl with blonde hair who was sitting diagonally from me. "Tracy?" I whispered, reaching out my right hand to get her attention. She twisted her body to the left and caught my gaze before smiling, "Hm?"

"What's with everyone, today?" I asked, sitting back comfortably in my chair and did light strokes on my table as if wiping dust off of it. She opened her mouth to answer, but then decided against it. After a few moments she replied, "A new guy's coming. Heard he's cute." She gave me a wink and I rolled my eyes. "But it's a Friday." I said with disbelief.

I watched her shake her head before returning her attention to the front.

"Okay class." Mr. Savkotzi sighed exaggeratingly. "Let's open our textbooks to-"

The door to our classroom slammed opened, and in came a male teen who was breathing pretty hard. "I'm so sorry I came late." He panted, the girls immediately started whispering to each other, some giggling and batting their eyelashes at the newcomer.

I'll admit. He was cute. Adding on, that his hair was slightly ruffled like he had just woken up from a 10-hour sleep. He wore a dark grey shirt that seemed to cling to his rather-muscular body and he wore ordinary jeans. His backpack was slung over his shoulders, classic way of wearing your bag. I rolled my eyes before resting my chin on my hand and stared out the window.

"About time you came, Mr. Jacob." The teacher exaggerated on 'time' as he took off his reading glasses. "And where were you?"

"I-I..." His voice trailed off into a mumble that I couldn't quite catch, but the people sitting at the front rows chuckled. The teacher grunted disapprovingly before putting back on his reading glasses and returned his attention to his book. "As I was saying.. Class flip to page 146 and read independently."

Some people groaned as pages being flipped filled the classroom. I followed suit and everyone started reading. "Um... Sorry Mr. Savkotzi but where do I sit?" The newcomer asked, and a few people snickered.

Mr. Savkotzi cleared his throat and just pointed his index finger to me. Or wait no, the seat behind me. "You'll sit behind Amethyst Hayes. Amethyst? Please wave you hand so Michael Jacobs knows where to sit."