Max

Chapter 2

 I woke up the next morning to the sound of James's alarm. The sky was still dark, and the clock read 5:45. "James, it's six in the morning. Shut the alarm off," I groaned. I looked over at him, and he was already awake.

"It's the first day of school, Max! Wake up and smell the coffee!"

"Yeah, great." I rolled out of bed and went into my closet to look for an outfit. I decided on a black collared shirt and khakis, with my favorite converse sneakers.

"I have to shower, I'll make something for breakfast when I get out." James headed to the bathroom.

"Yeah, right. You're gonna try making waffles, burn them, and then beg for Mom."

"Shut up."

"You know I'm right." I laughed at him, and he gave me a goofy smile. He pushed his shaggy black hair out of his face, then shut the bathroom door. I had showered the night before, so I just got dressed and headed to Mom's bathroom to do my eyebrows. It took me a solid twenty minutes to get them to look the same, and by the time I was done, James was already in the kitchen.

"Yeah, yeah, I know I can't cook," he shrugged.

"I didn't say anything!" I nudged him playfully and took a box of Eggo waffles out of the freezer. "Let me do it, just practice your saxophone or whatever."

"It's the first day of school, I have nothing to practice." He sat down at the table. He was wearing a white t-shirt, blue jeans, and black sneakers. I sighed and put the waffles in the toaster.

"I hate high school," I said to myself.

"Of course you do. You're not straight and you don't have a lot of money. People are jerks."

"You don't have money either, and people like you."

"Max, it'll be fine. Just ignore anyone who teases you."

"Easy for you to say." I put two waffles on a plate and handed it to James. "Eat, they're not burnt."

"Oh, real nice." He rolled his eyes, then Mom walked into the kitchen.

"You both look so nice!" she exclaimed. "I have to get a picture for Facebook!" She took out her phone and snapped a photo.

"We're not even posing!" I exclaimed.

"Mom, I'm eating," James said with his mouth full.

"Aw, my little babies are juniors in high school!" She gave us kisses on the forehead, then walked back into her room. "Both of you can take the bus, right? It comes at seven."

"Got it." I sat down next to James and started eating. I looked at him thoughtfully. "You really think I'll be okay?"

He smiled. "Yeah, man, I think you'll be okay."

I got off the bus at Liberty High School, where Sidney and the rest of my friends were waiting for me. Their names were Jillian, Rich, George, and Bex. "Sekowski! My man! C'mere!" Sidney grabbed my hand and pulled me in for a hug.

"Hey, guys!" I exclaimed. I took a moment to look at all my friends, since I hadn't seen them all summer. Sidney was the oldest, but also the most immature. He was turning seventeen in October. Sidney was a brunette, with tan skin and deep brown eyes. He was wearing a grey long sleeved shirt, jeans, and Adidas sneakers. He was about five foot ten, the same height as me.

Jillian was standing next to Sidney. She had short blonde hair and green eyes, and she wasn't very tall. She was wearing a black denim dress with a short skirt, and black flats. She was the shyest of the group, and she moved to our school from Germany back in seventh grade.