Animalis

The Freshman

He awoke...no, that's not right, he was shocked awake by the pain that now erupted from his face and chest. Why was he lying on the ground? He must have fallen off his bed as usual. His dog, Sparky, came striding up to him and immediately began to lick his face and nibble at his ears.

"OK, OK!!! I'm up Sparky, gosh!" he said as he lifted himself off the ground. Matthew hated Mondays, but worst of all he hated today; it was this specific day that always left him feeling upset over the nostalgic memories of the summer that just ended. He was also starting to develop a headache and a horrible feeling of dread about his first day of high school. 

Matthew sluggishly made his way to the bathroom, leaving a trial of clothes  as he walked. He studied his nude body in the mirror . Yup, still the same average looking kid. Matthew wasn't an ugly boy, but he wasn't exactly the most handsome of all the boys either; he was a good 5"4", he was a bit chubby, white with charcoal black hair, and seaweed green eyes.

He got in the shower and flinched when the freezing water pierced his body. Matthew quickly changed the water so that it was steaming hot, then he relaxed. Twenty minutes later, he stood fully dressed in his uniform awaiting the arrival of his bus. His bus pulled in at 6:30 am. It wasn't a regular bus but a "private" one; a white van that came directly to his house.

Matthew got on the bus and took his usual spot in the third row of the van next to his friend Ryan. Ryan was taller than Matthew at  5"6", he had tan skin, black hair, and brown eyes. He was skinny, but not scrawny. They had been friends since his school "Everwood" was established. His school was K-12, so he wasn't really going to a new school, but still Matthew was nervous.

"Hey, you...you weren't listening at all dude!" Ryan said glancing at Matthew waiting for a response.

"I'm sorry, I was just thinking is all. What were you saying?" Matthew responded, but to be honest, right now he didn't care what Ryan had to say. Not because he didn't care but because he liked to just think to his self in the mornings.

"I was saying that today we make history...today decides our reputation throughout the rest of high school...this is our year Matthew! I...I can feel it!" Ryan said triumphantly.

Matthew immediately burst out laughing. He didn't mean to, but come on, the guy was so painfully optimistic that Matthew just had to laugh. "The only thing I want to focus on is hanging out with my bros, and getting good grades so I can get the hell out of here...and maybe-" but Matthew forced himself to stop speaking. He knew what he was about to say, but it was too late, Ryan caught on immediately.

"And maybe what, Matt? ...Become Angela's boyfriend?" Ryan sneered.

Matthew winced. Ryan was right, of course, but still he was hoping that just maybe... maybe this year it would happen. Matthew must have been silent for a while because Ryan started to say, "Matt I'm sorry I didn't mean to-..." "Its OK," Matthew said, cutting him off. The one thing he hated most was any form of pity or remorse.

The bus pulled into the school and Matthew got out along with Ryan. "Hey, Matt, slow down man!" Ryan shouted, Matthew hadn't even realized he was moving so quickly, but he knew where his feet were taking him. He heard her before his eyes even found her, he could recognize her angelic voice from a mile away, and it made his heartbeat rise and his breathing  become uneven.

Angela spotted him and ran straight at him, they were both running at each other then Angela just leaped at the last second, and Matthew hugged her and spun her around in his arms before setting her down. 

"How was your summer, Matty?" Angela asked him smirking. 

"Really, Angela, really! I spent almost all summer going on your random shopping sprees with you, and watching you fail at learning how to drive." Matthew teased.

She really was beautiful, he thought; flawless pearly white skin, chocolate brown hair, and these dark twilight eyes that seemed to just make you wonder. 

"Hey, Matt. ...Hello, earth to Matty!" Angela said as she waved her hand in front of his face.

Matthew snapped out of it "Sorry, what did you say Angela?"

 "I said, 'Yea, I know Matty. I just love to tease you.' " Angela said with that cute grin on her face. Then suddenly Angela's head seemed to do a quick 180 spin as she realized who else just popped into view.

"Hey, Matty, hold my stuff for me, I need to talk to Scott alone and don't forget to put in a good word for me. This is the year that he'll finally ask me out!!!!" Angela shrieked as she walked towards Scott.

Ryan came and sat down next to Matthew and immediately said "Beep...beeep...Oh my gosh, Matt's friend zone level is over 9000!!!!!!!" Matthew flipped Ryan off, grabbed Angela's stuff and sat down on the stairs next to the library.

The girl of his dreams is infatuated with his best friend. Matthew chuckled to himself. No, he won't sugar coat it, she's not infatuated, Angela's liked Scott since 6th grade...oh joy! This is how the first day of high school began for Matthew Stone.