Constellations

The new boy

It was chilly out today just as the weatherman on the tv predicted. Grey clouds covered the morning sky as it prepared for the inevitable snow fall this afternoon.

"Get going or the bus will leave without you again," my mom snapped at me from the livingroom.

I groaned as I pulled on my grey jumper, "I know, I'm going."

High school was the bane of existance, but I was already half way through the year. Soon enough I would be out of that stupid place for good.

I quickly stuffed my sketchbook inside my bag and zipped it up. As hard as it was, I tried not to doodle on my school work seeing as my teachers hated it.

"Bye," I shouted to my mom as I slammed the front door shut behind me.

Waiting for the bus sucked.  I hated standing at the end of the driveway in shitty weather only to get laughed at once on the bus.

I clutched my bag tightly as my eyes wandered up to the sky. Even though it was just a bland white tone, I still admired its colour. 

Someday I would touch the clouds, like I had wished since I was a young boy. I couldn't help by smile as I imagined how they would feel flowing between my fingers.

A loud honk interrupted my daydreaming as my middle aged bus driver grew impatient with me, "Are you coming or what?"

The bus driver, Charlie, never liked me. I didn't really know why he hated me, but I assumed it was because he hated his job. Come to think of it I don't think I've ever seen him smile in my four years of high school.

I tries my best to ignore the regular stares I recieved as I made my way onto the bus. So many thoughts crowded my brain as I made my way to my regular spot near the front of the bus.

I wondered why people hated me the way they did, as if I had personally done something to hurt their precious feelings. It wasn't my fault that my life was as messy as it was, but I guess nobody could ever understand that.

"Is this seat taken?" A cheery voice interrupted my thoughts.

I looked up in confusion, a boy with black hair standing in front of me in the isle way. For a brief moment he took my breath away, a feeling I had never experienced before. His blue eyes danced in the sunlight as he awaited my answer.

"N-no," I stuttered suddenly feeling my heart skip a beat.

Who was this boy and why was he talking to me? His eyes look like they were made from the bluest skies, and I found it hard to pry my eyes from him as he took a seat beside me.

"I'm Phil. I believe I'm your new neighbour!" He told me with a grin as he placed his bag on the floor between his feet.

New neighbour? I guess they finally sold that beautiful house beside ours. Its funny how many people turned it down just because of how our house looked.

"I'm Dan," I stammered, still unsure how respond to his kind words.

I felt my cheeks glow as I seen the excitement on his face. Why did this beautiful boy make me feel different? Never have I ever looked at anyone and smiled, but somehow it came naturally with him.

"You're really gonna talk to that freak?" Someone scoffed as he leaned over our seat. "He's gay you know."

I frowned and looked down at the slush on the bottom of my shoes, watching the water drip to the floor as the silence grew between us. Phil would find out sooner or later that I was a loser, just like everyone else.

Phil rolled his eyes with a sigh, "Theres nothing wrong with being gay."

That was definitely something I hadn't heard anyone around here say before. But it was his first day after all, eventually he would realize what kind of trouble you could get in if people found out.

At least thats what I had assumed. Everybody had been giving me shit for being gay ever since word got out about my past. I wasn't even gay but there was no use fighting them.

"Gross," He replied before turning back around, shaking his head in disbelief.

I looked back up at Phil, his sparkling blue eyes throwing me for a loop. Had he just defended me?

His innocent smile left me dumbstruck as I forced my eyes away from his. My stomach fluttered, making me wonder if I was sick. I guess staying up late last night was a bad idea.

"We're friends now," Phil chirped happily as he leaned back in his seat.

Just like that I felt my entire life change right before my eyes. Everybody usually turned a blind eye to the cruel things people said to me; fleeing as soon as they caught wind of me being gay.

I spent everyday of highschool riding the bus alone, other students would much rather sit on the floor rather than sit with me.

Until today.