black hole sun

III. Put Under The Pressure

     Going back to school was always draining, but at least you had friends in the other school, it wasn't like this. Walking down the halls in a sea of more godforsaken plaid was eerily the same, every day felt like a repeat. If walking to the same clearing was your Groundhog Day, this was like a hell. Some people tried to talk to you but weren't the one's with good intentions or friendship. Brushing past them you entered the office where you were able to convince the staff and principal you belonged. Your job was easy enough, get kids from class and walk them to the office. Or it'd be filing papers and answering calls, transferring them along the lines of who they were actually calling for. It would be peaceful, if it wasn't so dramatic. Due to the towns smallness there was a lack of privacy, everything done was seen as an offense, whether they did to much or did to little it was never taken well by the parents of your peers.

     Transferring the call from a rather furious mother, your head-ached, you managed to get her to simmer before passing her to one of the guidance counselors.  As you leaned your head against the thankfully plush chair, someone from the staff asked if you'd like to buy coffee for everyone at the nearby cafe. Agreeing you stood accepting the cash everyone chipped in on, smiling you left the office grabbing your bag as you left the school. As you drove to the cafe nearby you parked and pulled out your California ID, knowing soon enough you'd have one that said Washington. As  you made a separate purchase for donuts and an iced coffee to have yours first before the staff order you stetched your neck, lately it felt like a temp job but, it was preferable to enduring repeats of classes. As you waited patiently you heard your name and received your coffee and donut holes as you told waited for the bigger order. 

Messaging Ames and telling her about the donuts, she responded with 'You better get me some too, that sounds amazing with an iced coffee. My shift is longer than I thought possible.' She sent before sending a text, 'Talk l8r pager went off! I won't be home, eat dinner!'

     As you yawned tiredly glancing around noticing it was just you and the workers from the cafe. You couldn't help but relax, not being yelled at by a peers mom can be very relaxing. When you finished with the donut holes and the order was called you were helped by the woman behind the counter to put the drinks in the car and managed to give her a tip almost forcibly before waving gratefully and drove back almost lower than speed limit to make sure the drinks didn't spill as you made it to the school parking lot. Getting out of the car you walked over to the passenger side, seeing the shape of a kid most likely ditching. You turned your back to the figure and opened the passenger door. Reaching for the cup holder you gasped and yelped in shock as you saw someone next to your door.

"For the love of christ! I could've dropped a lot of coffee!" You said your hand over your heart which was racing uncontrollably. As your eyes looked up from the chest you made eye contact with the kid from your old Math class, but sadly still in your art class. 

"I was going to ask if you needed assistance." He spoke calmly as you trembled not yet over your panic. You raised an eyebrow and relaxed, nodding in response. 

"That would be nice, er, thank you." You spoke quietly before reaching for the cupholder you nearly dropped earlier. Handing one over to him you grabbed another, balancing it on your hand before picking up the other. Working at a restaurant during the summer allowed the skill of customer service, aka not yelling  back at a pissed mother and being able to carry way too many things without dropping them.

"May I ask why you're not in class anymore?" He says as you close the door placing the two cup holders on the roof of the car before locking it. 

     Grabbing the cup holders you began walking to the main office, a small shrug began your next sentence, "I didn't need the class, decided to get the office temp job instead. I don't get paid, but I won't have to hear someone talk about geometry again. I switched to Statistics, but that's later on in the day." You walked besides him and noticed he wore a brown leather jacket. "Nice jacket." You commented as you reached the doors as you were about to struggle to open the door he opened it for you. "Thank you...again." He laughed, but as you walked by him he seemed to lose his balance on his feet. Your eyes went wide as you stood helpless unable to do anything but pray he didn't fall. Closing your eyes tightly with a cringe you waited for the drinks to fall, but it never came.