flashback » bxb

2. after

Elliot Morgans wasn't exactly excited to start his new school. He was relieved, sure, but excited? No. Certainly not.

Everything about this high school screamed ordinary, with grey locker lining the beige hallways lit with harsh fluorescent lights. Students lazily milled around in groups, hanging by the stairs or doorways. Elliot walked past all of them, silently and without any acknowledgement, to make his way to his first class. It was Art. Which Elliot was glad about, he didn't think he could deal with something like Math or Physics right now. He prayed there would be a seat in the back where he could sit quietly and talk to nobody.

That was his plan for this school - make no noise, draw no attention to himself and survive his last year. And in this school, he certainly wasn't going to play hockey. No, he had given that up completely. This year, he needed to focus on his painting so he could get into art school. It was what he had always loved anyway, hockey had only ever been a side project. Art was where his heart was - where he could create and explore and let his feelings out.

Elliot pulled his bag tighter against his back and kept his eyes trained straight ahead. No need for pleasantries and fake smiles at complete strangers today. Laying low, that was the plan. He could tell people were giving him second glances, looking him up and down, realising he's a new kid. But he didn't pay attention to them. Room 5, that's what he was looking for. And luckily, as he turned the corner, that was what he found.

Elliot was definitely early, as the class was empty except for the teacher and a couple other students. School technically didn't start for another 10 minutes, but Elliot's mum had dropped him off so he could 'get settled in early'. As Elliot stepped into the classroom, he greeted the teacher with a smile and a nod and a perfunctory greeting.

"Oh, you must be Elliot Morgans, darling, welcome to my class!" The teacher - Miss Jude - said with a bright smile and a wave. "Well done for coming early, you must love art."

"Nice to meet you," Elliot brightened at his teachers enthusiasm.

"Take a seat anywhere you like, I'm sure everyone else will be here soon and then we will get started. Welcome to the class, Elliot," Miss Jude gave Elliot a reassuring look, as if to say, I get it. She was young, probably only 30 and had a mess of loose ginger waves piled up in a bun atop her head. Elliot was surprised to see the school allowed her to wear such a dark purple lip and have so many tattoos on display. Miss Jude had a kind smile, though, and an obvious passion for art.

"Cool, thanks," Elliot gave her a proper smile now but it quickly faded as he turned and walked towards the back of the classroom.

Elliot settled down into a chair and plonked his bag down next to him. He ran his fingers loosely through his hair and sighed quietly to himself. Was he really about to start a whole new year? Was he ready? All he wanted was to be done. To be in art school and out of dingy classes and crowded hallways that seemed to be so prevalent in high school. Elliot wanted to escape the cliques and dramas and douches and cheerleaders and jocks - especially the jocks - and just create art.

His subjects this year weren't the worst thing; English, Statistics, Art, Physics, History and Biology. Surprisingly, Elliot actually loved science. No one expected him to, as they either grouped him in with the sporty guys or the artsy snobs. But, if it weren't for art school, Elliot might have studied science at university. His mum had made him take Stats - even though Elliot hated maths - and he had rather a soft spot for History.
Choosing Art was hardly even a choice for Elliot. He doubted he could survive school without Art. Each day would just be so boring and monotonous, Elliot would probably be forced to drop out completely. Luckily for Elliot's parents, he did get to do Art.

As Elliot sat in his uncomfortable wooden chair, waiting for everyone to finish filling into the room, waiting for who he suspected would become his favourite teacher, Miss Jude, to start the lesson, he fidgeted nervously. His plan was to law low, and he could do that, right? It wouldn't be that hard. Head down, don't talk in class unless you have to, sit alone at lunch, don't smile at the nice kids, don't beat up the mean ones. Elliot could do that, easy. It would be easier still, if he didn't have to sit next to anyone either. And it was looking hopeful. The seats were slowly filling up, but the only one next to him was staying empty.

That was, of course, until Aiden Harper sat right down next to him.

-

yipee, chapter two!

i know these chapters aren't that long, but that's sorta the point?? like, my plan is to have some really quite short - although none of them much shorter than this - and then some really long over a period of time. plus i'm still introducing characters so i don't want to overload u guys!!

i'll talk more about aiden later dw!

please don't be and invisible reader, i would really appreciate a vote and/or a comment!!

thanks x