anonymous

two

jonah marais rushed into the large brick building of the private school he attended just as the first period bell rang. a relieved sigh escaped his lips and he moved through the rushing students. it was better than showing up halfway through the day.

his lip was between his teeth as he tightened the tie around his neck, not having any time to do it before he left that morning.

his life was complicated. currently his parents were separated, but could you call it separated if neither of them were home?

his father moved to who knows where with his older brother, zebulon, and younger sister, esther, while he "lived" with his mother and youngest sister, svea. but his mother barely showed up at the house, which left him to watch svea most of the time.

that's why on most days he was late, he had to get her ready and somehow get her to school on time while doing the same for himself. he was taking the role of a parent while dealing with the pressure of this private school. he'd gotten the scholarship for it before everything went down with his family, and he didn't want to quit now.

but it was a lot.

jonah was so lost in thought, he felt his shoulder get hit by someone he didn't see. he looked behind him, barely making out the curly hair of jack avery moving away from him.

everyone around the school knew jack by reputation, but no one dared approach him. he didn't seem like the type to go to a school like this, but everyone knew his parents got him in and no matter how much trouble he caused, he was stuck. he was a punk, talking back to teachers and getting in trouble all the time.

like right now. jonah knew for a fact they had the same first period this morning, but he was walking in the complete wrong direction; most likely ditching to smoke or do something with the troublemakers he hung out with. he didn't even have his blazer on, instead a hoodie covered what should be the school uniform.

jonah merely shook his head as he walked into first period, shooting a small smile at the teacher before heading to his assigned seat, where a boy had his sneaker-covered shoes resting on the desk.

"mind moving your disgusting shoes?" he asked before bluntly shoving them off.

the boy attached to the feet threw his arms up, blazer rolled up and unbuttoned. "why? what was the point of that?" he asked before his face broke out into his usual grin. jonah shook his head and took his seat, hearing his friend's chuckle.

the boy was zach herron, one of the more positive and laid-back people jonah had come across at the school. he always seemed to have a smile on his face and some witty joke to say. that's why he was one of the more popular kids at the school.

jonah and him met a long time ago and stuck by each other. it seemed to just work.

"so... svea put up any trouble this morning?" zach asked, sitting himself upright in his seat. he was also one of the few—actually, the only person—who knew about jonah's situation. and no matter how many times he offered to help, the older boy declined.

"nah, i just burnt toast so we had to get cereal." jonah explained and half heartedly ran a hand through his hair. "i'm going to have to run to the store after school."

a quick jab to his side distracted him and he lifted his head, meeting zach's expectant gaze. "don't forget about practice tonight, idiot."

the older boy groaned and put his head back. he had totally forgotten about it, which was bad considering that was why he attended the school. the rosy cheeked boy next to him chuckled and pulled out his phone, typing something in. "i'll have my dad pick up svea, she can hang out with reese and ryan until practice is over. and he said he'll make the trip over." zach smiled and placed his phone back in his pocket. his parents were separated as well and he was the only one left living with his mom, but his dad only lived one town over with his siblings so he saw them often. and his parents still talked quite often, trying to make things work.

jonah looked over and gave his friend a grateful smile. "thanks z, what would i do without you?"

"probably be a lot more stressed and have a lot less free time." zach chuckled and clapped his shoulder. "plus, now you can make practice tonight. god knows the team needs you"

so, as the bell for first period rang, jonah had a content smile on his face. he was finally able to do something he wanted again. just a little bit of freedom sometimes seemed so rare, but he was grateful whenever he got it.

because he had more responsibilities and worries than he would admit to.