The End

one

You know those moments in stories when the character says something like, "Little did I know everything would change that day?" It's total bullshit. That very first moment in the greenhouse, I knew my life was going to change. I just didn't see things unfolding the way they did. Everything went to absolute shit, and honestly I regret a lot of it. But then I think of him, and it all somehow seems worth is. My name is Andrew Tyler Gray, and this is the story of my end.

My first day of my junior year at Freedmont County High School was the day everything began to change. I was sitting in the greenhouse trying to get some alone time and having a cigarette before school. I remember thinking how angry it would make my father to know what I was doing, and it made me smile. As time grew closer to 8:00, I decided to leave so I wouldn't be late for homeroom. I had been hiding out in the very back of the building, and it was a long walk back to the entrance. I was almost there when the door swung open.

A guy walked through the door and looked around like he was confused. He was taller than me, pale, with brown hair and dark brown eyes. His brow was furrowed, and he was frowning. He turned and looked over his shoulder and then turned in a circle before his eyes landed on me. He smiled and said, "Hi, my name is Kyle." I couldn't speak. My throat was too dry. I chalked it up to the cigarette I had just finished. Instead of me having to reply, he spoke again. "And I am very lost apparently."

I finally found my voice and uttered the words, "Where ya headed?" He smiled and pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket. It was his schedule. He walked to my side, and our shoulders bumped.

"My schedule says Botany, and it's supposed to be in Greenhouse 2, right? But no one is here except us," he sighed, gesturing around.

"Ohh," I said. "Botany meets in the classroom and then comes out here. I can show you," I replied. And then we walked into the school together. He did most of the talked.

"So tell me. Is this one of those schools where everyone is preppy and rude?" he asked as we started down the near empty hallway. "My first theory was good little children, but you smell like a chain smoker."

"I'll put it this way. Most everyone here has some secret they'd like to keep from their parents," I explained. "I take it you're new?"

"Yeah, I just moved here from Boston. This place is pretty different compared to home," he chuckled, looking down before finishing his though. "But Boston was never really home."

"So what brings you down here?" I asked with genuine curiosity.

"Only family I have left is down here. Ma's drank herself six feet under, and Daddy's long gone. It was either Gram and Gramps or the system," he replied without hesitation. I was surprised with how forthcoming with a perfect stranger. But as time went on, I learned Kyle never met a stranger.

"Oh, I'm sorry," I replied. What else was I supposed to say?

"People always say they're sorry, as if it was their fault. I never understand expressing sympathy with an apology, but thanks anyways," he answered. "So, why the smoke before class?"

"Bad habit I started in freshman year. Never really had the motivation to quit," I answered. "You smoke?"

"Nah, my uncle bit it from lung cancer," he replied. "Never picked one up." He looked at me and smirked, and my chest started feeling funny. "Don't you dare say you're sorry."

I stopped walked when we reached the end of the science wing. "This is your stop. It's the door on the left," I said and smiled.

"Thanks. I actually never got your name," Kyle said.

"It's Andrew. Andrew Gray," I replied.

"And what class does Andrew Gray have first thing in the morning?" Kyle asked.

"Weight training," I replied. "It's required for all variety players."

"Football? Well I guess that explains your arms. They're huge," he said, and once again my chest felt tighter than usual. I coughed in an attempt the get relief.

"Not by choice. It's my father's request-well, it's more of a demand really," I answered nervously.

"Daddy issues...Interesting. Well, this is where we part ways. Maybe I'll see you around?" he asked.

"Sure," I answered happily. "See ya around, Kyle."

And that was when things changed, and believe me, I knew they would never be the same. I couldn't pinpoint why things had changed, but I knew I felt differently than I did that morning. This fact was enough to keep me smiling all day.