From The Other Side

10. build

TEN
build

Friday, March 14th

It was that point in the year where Isaiah started counting down the days until summer. Around two months away. Seventy one days, to be exact. And not only would it be summer, but he would also be out of highschool for good. The thought filled him with joy.

Ashton was already planning some summer beach bash. Isaiah wanted to slap him and himself for having to hear that phrase come out of his mouth. "Dude, just call it a party like a normal person."

"But that's boring," Ashton shot back. He'd looked to the rest of the group for back up, but Steve was on his phone, and Morgan and August had apologetic looks on their faces. Ashton visibly deflated at their reactions.

                   For some reason, they weren't tired of sitting with Isaiah and his friends just yet. He thought they would've left after the first few days, but no, they were still here. Don't get him wrong, he actually enjoyed having them there, it was just weird. He'd been with Steve, Ashton, and Marcus for so long that he never even considered making new friends. Much less losing one.

Despite that, Isaiah felt okay. As close as he could get to it, at least. He'd pushed Marcus to the back of his mind; he pushed everything that'd been troubling him lately to the back of his mind. Maybe it was unhealthy, as Steve pointed out constantly, but he was feeling better. Albeit temporarily, but better nonetheless.

                    Now that he had done so, his mood had become brighter. He was less awkward around his newfound friends, and he was actually able to focus again. He'd never been more relieved in his life.

                     Isaiah was leaning against his locker, eyes trained on his phone when he spotted a pair of feet stop in front of him. He lifted his head to find Morgan smiling up at him, eyes made brighter by her winged eyeliner.

                     "Morning," he said, glancing behind her. "August didn't come with you today?"

                    She shook her head in response. "He's skipping first period."

                    "What? Why?" Isaiah asked, brows furrowed in confusion. He didn't seem like the type to skip. Then again, they still didn't know each other that well, so what did he know?

                    "He has to present a project. He'd rather take a fifty than speak in front of a class," she explained. When Isaiah still looked confused, she added, "He has some anxiety problems."

                    "Oh," Isaiah said. "I didn't expect that. He always seems so—" He waved his hand in front of him, struggling to find his words. "—confident? He makes conversation super easily."

                   Morgan's eyes turned wide. "I know!" she exclaimed in disbelief. "He's so good at that! But I guess it's because he's talking to one person, not a whole classroom full of them."

                   "That's understandable. Tell him that I said I hope things go well? If he ends up having to present and stuff."

                    Morgan frowned and pulled out her phone. "Do you not have his number?"

                    "Uh, no—"