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Those Three Boys | Chapter 1

AFTER GETTING OFF the bus, I put my thermos down onto a nearby bench and adjust the backpack straps on my shoulders; somehow it twisted mid-ride, digging into my skin. Once comfortable again, I pick up my thermos, take a long sip of my slightly-too-hot long black, and start trudging to class. My breath vaporises in the air, and I pretend I'm a professional vaper.

I honestly don't know how I found the motivation to go to class today. The odds were stacked against me; I didn't sleep till three in the morning thanks to mine and Sereena's impromptu gaming marathon, I got barfed on by a very drunk Jesse when he came home at two as I walked him to his room, and I miss three alarms. Any other day I'd have just shrugged, rolled over in my bed, and slept in like Sereena; until two in the afternoon.

Maybe it was Jayden's encouragement that got me out of bed. He's an early riser and he knew I was starting my final assessment for a class today; plus, he brewed so much coffee. He tried to get Jesse out of bed too, but that mission was over before it evens tarted.

Jesse was so drunk, he thought I was Jayden when I walked over to him. His voice was slurred beyond recognition and he reeked of beer. The only snippets I could decipher from his mumbling was that it was a great party and that he wished I came with him. It was sweet, but right as I reached his bedroom door, he barfed on me. The moment, and that shirt, was ruined.

As I round a corner, my phone starts to ring. I fish it out, and Jesse's name's on the screen. With a snort, I answer it.

"I'm surprised you're conscious," I say, grinning to myself. A pained moan echoes through the speaker.

"Everything hurts," Jesse says, groaning and moaning. "I'm never drinking again."

"Right, of course you won't. Pretty sure you've said that every week since the first day I met you all those years ago."

He laughs. "True. Anyway, was just ringing to tell you I'm gonna come to class today--save me a seat, please. Need to blend my miracle smoothie to get rid of this hangover first."

I hum, turning another corner, narrowly avoiding a collision with another student. "Have fun. Don't forget that we're starting our final assessment today, so don't be too late."

He snorts. "It's the whole reason I'm going today. Later, Dude."

I pull the phone away from my ear as his name disappears from my lock screen. He hung up. Sliding the phone back into my pocket, I re-adjust my backpack straps on my shoulders and continue walking to class. The faint scents of food trucks parked along the edges of the major walkways tickle my nose, my stomach bubbling with hunger.

As I reach class, I pull down my sleeve. Ten minutes early, according to my analogue wristwatch. Legs aching from the walk, I find a shaded spot of grass nearby and sit down, pulling out my phone and an apple.

I'm not sure if the feeling in my stomach is the hunger I felt when I walked past the food trucks, or it was slight nausea about me coming out to Jesse today. Either way, the apple helps suppress the feeling. Soon enough, it's time for class; I pack up my things and shuffle into class with the other students.

#

Jesse rocks up just as the lecturer begins to dive into the assessment brief. With a quick wave, he shuffles to me, sitting in the seat I reserved for him.

He looks completely fine--if I didn't know that he was drunk last night I wouldn't have suspected a thing. The miracle smoothie must have worked.

"So, what'd I miss?" He asks, fishing out his laptop. I shrug.