Way of the World (BXB)

04

Kendric St. James

It was second period English, the class I had with Reggie. I couldnt help but look at him every now and then, capturing his perfect features. Long, soft, and smooth platinum blonde hair that stood tall when he styled it. Copper-wire hexagon glasses and a Barbra Streisand navy blue crop top with light blue, ripped jeans that were cuffed at the ends, and black Doc Martens. It was obviously a new outfit, similar to others that he would regularly wear, but the clothes looked fresher.

It was getting harder and harder to be around him. Everytime I looked towards him... I felt something. Not like a "something in my pants" sort of something, like a pulling feeling. It's like my stomach twisted and my cheeks heated up. I didn't know exactly what it was, but I knew that it was more than just a sexual attraction. It hadnt been like that for the entirety of the time I had "liked" him, since freshman year. It was different now, because we had begun speaking to each other semi-regularly, and I had the chance to get to know him.

"Mr. St. James, attention to the front please," Mr. Grey stated. I looked away from Reggie and up to the projector (apparently I had been staring)

"So, I assume that all of your permission forms for the lake trip during spring break are turned in. If you have not turned it in," the dismissal bell rang and everyone stood up and prepared to leave,"then turn it in to the office or to Mrs. Washington! Have a good day class!" He called after us as we walked out of the classroom.

"Hey, Rej," I said, running up to Reggie before he could leave the room.

"What?" He asked, walking into the hall with me following

"Are you going on the trip?" I asked

"Yeah, I guess. My mom said it would be 'a good experience'" Reggie answered, using air quotes.

"Cool, so am I. And I think shes right," I said before walking away with a coy smile.

After school, I went home and Reggie went to his place. We decided to do our separate parts of the project and then regroup the next day, which also gave me time to pack for the upcoming trip.

I had heard that the trip would consist of the students staying in houses near the water, while the chaperones took up a nearby rental cabin. There were two houses; one for the boys, and one for the girls. Identical, but a short walk from both each other and the lake.

Plus, each house had two stories, big windows, and a huge pool. I, of course, was super excited due to my love of nature. It's like a safe haven for me, a quiet place, I guess.

Anyway, I ran up to my room and began packing all of the necessary supplies for the upcoming getaway. As I grabbed a pair of jeans from my dresser, a small folded piece of paper fell out of the pocket and onto the floor. I looked at it for a moment before picking it up and unfolding it.

It was Reggies number. I remember that he wrote it down when we were at the library incase we needed to text or call each other about the project. He said that he doesnt bring his phone to school because its "distracting", so that's why he wrote it down for me.

We were so different. I always made sure to have my phone on me at school because I need it as my distraction.

I looked over the number before dialing it into my phone and adding Reggie as a contact. And well, I decided to text him, because why not?

Me: hey its Kendric

After a few moments of him not responding, I put my phone away, and went back to packing. A few minutes later I heard a buzz.