A Friend

Alfred Ephriam

It was cold. Snow laced the ground. My hands were tucked in their black, wool gloves while gripping the frosty chains on either side of me. I was seated on the swing set while the other students raced around doing whatever they wanted.

The swing I sat on creaked back and forth above a small, muddy section of melted snow. Various footprints were marked around the snow, prominently right below me.

A freezing wind came over us and swept along the recess grounds. I shivered and shrunk farther into my dark, puffy coat.

I watched one of my classmates, Lisa, pretend to vape by using her cloud of breath.

A tall, chain fence lined the entirety of the outside area while ahead of me was the old playground, to my left was the rest of the swings and the side of the school, behind me were numerous benches and sidewalks, and to my right were the various courts for numerous sports.

All the students stood out amongst the pure white snow that layered the ground and coated the trees and bushes. Bright colors of red or yellow darted around the outdoor area. Pink hats, blue coats, orange gloves.

I puffed a breath- the frosty cloud swirling through the crisp atmosphere. A slight frown overcame my features as I began to think about why we were forced to stay out here for about a half hour.

What was the point? We were high schoolers. Most high schools (if not all) don't have "recess" at this age.

I watched a fellow freshman get tackled by a senior on the basketball court. My seventh hour teacher was supposed to be supervising, but he was probably in a closet somewhere with Mrs. Josaphine.

The senior was known as Rhett Williams. He was your typical senior jock. It disappointed me that fictitious stories and movies told from high school settings were somehow accurate when describing the stereotypes in students. Rhett's current victim was a boy my age named Landon Kenou.

As the fight commenced, it was obvious that Landon was at the disadvantage. Which meant he was already the loser.

Bright red blood began to splatter against the surface of the crystal-white snow. I found myself smiling.

Before it could escalate anymore, the bell rang. Crowds of students raced back inside. So many people shoving and slamming into each other.

I decided to wait out the storm.

Sliding my gloves down the icy chains, I stood. Lifting my left hand, I brushed the dark fabric across my forehead to throw my messy black hair to the side.

The current of running, hormonal teenagers was a ways in front of me and was thinning noticeably.

I began to walk forward, my dark shoes crunching through the soft upper layer of snow and to the hard, icy snow from days past. My hands fitted into my coat pockets naturally as I ventured towards the building.

I saw some familiar faces passing by.

Some were old acquaintances while some were simply people unfortunate enough to have an hour everyday in the same class with me. Luckily we get switched up at each bell.

I joined the smaller swarm, walking casually behind them. I kept my head down to avoid unnecessary judgement from others, yet I kept my eyes peeking around to evaluate people.

I spotted the freshman, Landon with his bloody nose and busted lip. I smiled again. If we were friends- let alone him knowing of my existence- I would laugh at his face. But that wasn't the case.

Nobody knew me.

Nobody wanted to, apparently.

We finally passed under the doorway and entered into the warmth of the school. Numerous people began removing scarves, gloves, and hats, but I didn't even think to do the same.

I glanced down at my right arm and bent it awkwardly to coax my sleeve away from my watch.

1:20 P.M.

6th hour.

It was all uphill from here.

———

"He has this dark obsession with death and all that kind of stuff. I don't even know what started it! He was always my little boy. He would never harm anything! But... just last week, I caught him in the backyard making a little fire. Yes, I know. I know, it sounds mostly harmless. Wait, just wait! Guess why he made the fire?! He made it to burn a bunch of insects he found and trapped in a jar... No, that's not it. He burnt a squirrel who had fallen from the tree and froze in the snow... no, he doesn't do that... I mean, I don't think he does..." she paused for a long moment, holding the phone to her ear. "I will. I'll try to look for that. What else should I check?"

Another pause.

A nod.

A hum.

"Alright. So music, drawings, books, and writing?... sounds good. Thank you so much... I hope so too. Bye."