YinYang

Part Two

“I feel like on the first day of school we enter an alternate universe.” I hid my smile as six sets of eyes fall on Layla's face. “What!? It is!” She pouts while crossing her arms and stomping her feet on the ground.

I laugh and humor her. “And why is that?”

“Becauseeeeee!” Layla did have a tendency to elongate her words. “Everyone looks different you know? Someone's got a different hair cut, another dropped ten pounds, the kids wear new clothes.” My friends and I smile at Layla, and nod along.

It was the first day of school, and in the twenty minutes between the time we get to school and the school day starts, my friends and I always just hung out in the band room. There were others in the room yes, but my friends and I kind of found ourselves in the one corner of the room, where we always were. And Layla was right, the kids in our school did look different. Even our group of friends did. Layla cut her hair, her long blonde locks now fell in choppy layers. April dyed hers, and her brown hair was now bordering a black color. Kieth must have grown three inches since the end of last year. He nearly towered over me now. Lucas, though he didn't really look any different, was sporting a couple hickey marks on his neck, compliments of his new girlfriend. Sam had a totally new attire on, skinny jeans and a flannel, a bit identical to James, but nonetheless it looked good on him. And while it looked to be that I lost seven pounds, James looked to have gained it in muscle.

“You're right, Layla, even we all changed since last year.” I smile. Layla smiles triumphantly and hums to herself. I hop up onto the counter behind me and check my schedule:

1st: Gym

2nd: Entrepreneurship

3rd: English

4th: Italian

Lunch

5th: Pre-calc

6th: Senior Chemistry

7th: Band

I hadn't asked my friends what classes they were in, mainly because I knew they'd most likely not be in mine since April and I were the only seniors. I knew she was in my gym however, because she complained and complained about having it first period until I told her we were in the same class.

The ten minute bell rings and my friends begin to disperse. However, before I can get out the door, James calls my name. I tell April I'll meet her in the gym and turn face to face with him. I can't help it, my heart immediately skips a beat as I look at him. His dark hair is cut short now, a fresh start for the new year I suppose. His blue and green eyes find mine and I inhale deeply to calm my racing heart.

“So, how have you been?” The two of us walk slowly out into the hallway, keeping an even distance between us.

I shrug, I didn't trust myself to keep an even voice. He nods, and we keep walking, an awkward silence falling. “Well, this is me.” He says as we stop in front of one of the art rooms. “Well, then I'll see you last period,” I say and turn to walk away before he could say anything else to try and sooth the tension. I hope and pray that I don't have anything else with him. Because having one class with him would be bad enough.

“So what did he want?” April asks, the two of us sit low on the bleachers, not wanting to talk to anyone else. I shrug and attempt to listen to what the teacher says. Only I can't because it's senior gym, first period, and quite frankly, I'm still asleep.

Halfway through the period, I feel my phone vibrate and I glance at it, trying not to let the teachers see.