Living High School to the Fullest (Completed)

Chapter 4: The First Day of School

“Seriously, Aaron? Howdy? Lose the howdy, I beg you. Just because you spent a couple of weeks in Texas with your grandparents, it doesn’t mean that you have to go all Texan with us. We’re in New Jersey, for God’s sakes.”

“Nah. I’m a Texan by heritage and proud of it. Better get used to it.” He wiggled his eyebrows.

“Your grandparents just moved there last year. You are not Texan by heritage!” I exclaimed and stared at him, narrowing my eyes. He stared right back.

Staring contest, it is.

Don’t get me wrong, Aaron Schwarz is a really nice guy and one of our oldest friends. He always has our backs and is a bit of a jokester. He’s not bad looking, either, if you dig the boy next door-look. Blue eyes, red hair, a few freckles. Pale skin which he actually had managed to get a bit tanned in Texas. Wears band shirts and jeans all the time.

But, boy, can he get on your nerves sometimes. And he really enjoys doing that. Plus Aaron is always looking for a challenge. Nevertheless, he has yet to win a staring contest with me.

I kept on staring.

Huh, usually he would have blinked by now. Has he been training? Could be, he can be quite competitive sometimes.

He kept on staring back at me.

He stared…

and stared…

and stared…

…and blinked.

“Ha!”

“Dammit! I was so close this time,” Aaron said and ruffled his hair in despair. He is always a bit down when he loses. Just like a little kid.

“You wish. No more howdy for you, mister,” I said with a triumphant smile. Sweet, sweet victory.

“But you did get better,” I admitted.

And just like that, his spirits were lifted again.

“I know. Soon, you’ll have no choice but surrender to the power of the stare-master.”

Yep, definitely lifted spirits present.

“Next time, loser buys ice cream. Two days.”

“Agreed. You will weep with fear, Adams,” the red-head replied cockily.

I just rolled my eyes and examined the pasta sauce. I really hope that is a piece of tomato.

“So,” Emma said, drawing the attention to her. “Has anybody seen the new guy yet?”

“What new guy?” Aaron asked somewhat baffled.

“You know, the new guy.”

Silence.

“I haven’t seen a new guy,” Brian stated.

“Wait, we have a new guy?” Aaron looked at Emma expectantly.

“Yeah,” Em replied a bit hesitantly. “You know, there always is a new guy.”

“Huh.”

I remained silent. It was fun watching where this conversation was going.

Now it was Brian’s turn. “What do you want from the new guy?”

“Well…” Emma looked at me helplessly. Sorry, but you’re on your own.

“Wait a minute,” Brian cut in. “Is that something you do? Adopt the new guy? Did you do that last year with me?”