THE PIT | JYATT

I

         "That's pretty fucking awesome!" Jaeden Martell exclaimed as he opened his final birthday present.
        "Jae, watch your language!" His mother quietly said while she steadily held a video camera. "Hold up what you got and show the camera!"
         "I still can't believe you seriously got me general admission pit tickets to see Panic! at the Disco in concert." The smile on Jaeden's face seemed to never fade long after he opened that final gift.
        Panic! at the Disco has been Jaeden Martell's favorite band since he first discovered (on his own) what music even was. It's basically been the foundation of every single song, artist, or band he's ever listened to. Not to mention the lead singer being "hot as balls" as Jaeden likes to say.
         Even though Jaeden could spend hours daydreaming about P!ATD, he knew that he had to get to school soon. Opening his presents early in the morning was a bad idea considering he had to wake up half an hour earlier than his usual time.
"Hey, I'm leaving for school now but thank you for the gifts!" Jaeden called to his mother as he walked out to the driveway. He hopped into his mom's beat up 2004 Toyota and began driving to school.
Even though the car was quite literally falling apart, it still had a working CD player that allowed Jaeden to play every single Panic! at the Disco album ever. The album he played on his way to school depended on his mood that day.
Since it was his birthday, he decided to play his favorite album: Vices & Virtues. Every song on that album "hit harder than a D1 baseball commit swinging at a incoming ball" in Jaeden's exact words.
"YOU'LL DANCE TO ANYTHING." Jaeden screamed the lyrics to 'Hurricane' as he drove down the highway. His windows were open and honestly, he couldn't care less if anyone heard him. It was his birthday!
The drive to school felt surprisingly short today. It was probably because he was so excited to see his friends. What was even more exciting was seeing them whisper about his birthday plans weeks before the actual date.
As soon as Jaeden walked through the school's double doors, he spotted his small group of friends waiting for him at their usual table. "Guys, he's coming!"
"Ugh, our favorite homosexual is a year older today!" Sophia laughed. "Anyways, we got you presents!"
        "You know you guys didn't have to!" Jaeden said with a surprised reaction. "But it's nice that you did."
      Jaeden opened the first present that was from his very best friend, Sophia. "Wait, girl..." Jaeden paused. "You really bought me a whole ass iPhone 11?"
"I mean, I'm not letting you go through 2020 with a fucking iPhone 6." Sophia replied with a slight chuckle. "Sorry Finn, you're the only one with a 6 now."
Finn rolled his eyes and handed Jaeden a yellow paper bag. "My present isn't as extravagant as the drama queen's, but I hope you like it."
Jaeden opened the small bag to find a limited edition Panic! at the Disco lanyard and keychain. "Ooh, Finn came through with the drip."
"Stop fantasizing over your keychain and open my gift, loser." Jack demanded as he shoved a silver bag at Jaeden's chest. "We only have like five minutes before the bell rings."
Jaeden quickly opened the bag that Jack shoved at him. It was a record, one that Jaeden didn't have yet. "Bro— the Vices & Virtues vinyl with the bonus tracks?"
"Finn advised me what to get you because I'm a clueless sophomore but it's the thought that counts." Jack replied as he stood up, getting prepared for the bell to ring.
        "Well, I appreciate the gifts!" Jaeden replied as he gave everyone a hug. "I also forgot to tell you what my mom got me!"
        "What? A piercing gun? Does she know how much you've been wanting to get a nose ring?" Sophia teased as she slung her navy blue backpack over her shoulder.
        "Actually, she got me pit tickets to a Panic! at the Disco concert!" Jaeden jumped and clapped like a two year old receiving a lollipop. "And I get to go alone! Like an adult!"
         "Well, technically you're only one year away from being a legal adult!" Finn replied as he gave Jaeden a surprisingly hard pat on the back.
         The bell rang, dismissing the four friends to go their separate ways and go to class. Jaeden's first class was AP Psych which he usually has with Millie, but she's absent.
When Jaeden entered the classroom, several people he's barely talked to wished him a happy birthday. It made him feel important to know that so many people knew his birthday.
Before class officially began, Mr. Brown wished Jaeden a happy birthday. Then, he proceeded to tell the class some rather good news. "We're getting a new student next Monday!"
That was cool. Considering today was Friday, Jaeden had plenty of time to daydream fake scenarios of what the new student would be like. And then he could tell them about his P!ATD concert!
"Are they a girl or a boy?" The student sitting near Jaeden asked.
"They're a boy." Mr. Brown replied. "Now, class, do your warmups so we can review for tomorrow's quiz. I don't want anyone saying we never went over it!"
While everyone else frantically filled out their warmup papers, Jaeden just sat and daydreamed. Would the new boy be cute? Would he also like Panic! at the Disco? Would he be gay as well? So many questions and so little time to figure them out.
While everyone else continued to take notes, Jaeden texted his friend group's group chat that there would be a new student.

jaeden: guys mr brown says there's gonna be a new kid on monday and it's gonna be a gUY

millie: so the ONE DAY i'm absent this shit happens

sophia: omg maybe the new boy will fall in luv with u jae and you'll bond over panic

finn: soph you know he's already daydreamed every single scenario possible

jack: ok but jaeden's gonna enter 2020 with a bf if sophia's right

millie: ok period

millie: also sorry i'm absent on ur bday love i have some unknown illness bahahsbsb

Jaeden closed his phone because his friends, although they were fun, were becoming a distraction from his schoolwork. Sophia's idea didn't seem so bad to Jaeden though...
"Maybe 2020 will be my year." Jaeden whispered to himself as he continued his schoolwork.