The Difference is the Differences

Chapter 1: Hello, My Name is...

Oliver heard the sound of guns and explosions from the living room as he walked through the front door of his best friend's house. He took off his shoes, dropped his bag by the front door and went to the living room where a girl was slumped on the couch playing Halo.

"Hey, Emily," said the girl, not looking away from the TV. She wore sweatpants and a black, sleeveless AC/DC shirt. Her blonde hair hung down a little past her shoulders. She had sky blue eyes, fair skin, and was very athletic.

"Hey Cassidy," said Oliver, sitting beside her on the couch.

In contrast to Cassidy, Oliver had very dark brown, wavy hair that went down to the middle of his back. He had tan skin and dark brown eyes. He was also very lean and curvy like Cassidy. He currently wore a pink shirt and jeggings. "Why didn't you wait for us at school?"

"You guys were taking too long at your lockers, so I left without you. Where's Josh and Simon?"

"I don't know. I couldn't find them after I couldn't find you, so I came here. Josh texted me just as I got here saying that Simon had some freak locker accident and was helping him."

Over Cassidy's game of Halo, they heard the front door open, then close. After a moment, Simon stumbled into the room. Josh dashed into the room, tackled Simon, and got Simon in a headlock.

"Josh," said Oliver, "why do you always have to pick on Simon?"

"Because it's fun and he's an easy target. Why Emily? Do you have a crush on him?" Josh said as he let go of Simon. He wore blue jeans and a black fitting sweater, as usual. He had very broad shoulders and a slim waist. He was very muscular.

"What? No," said Oliver, giving him a dumbfounded look.

"You're lying!" said Josh, "Emily likes Simon, Emily likes Simon!" He sang, teasing Oliver.

"Oh, shut up," said Oliver. Simon got up off the floor and adjusted his glasses. Unlike Josh, Simon was very lean, awkward, shy, and was very, very clumsy. He had ink black hair. He wore a blue dress shirt and grey pants. He sat down beside Oliver on the couch. Josh remained standing, watching Cassidy play Halo.

"How do you think you did on the playing test in music today?" Simon asked Oliver.

"I don't know," said Oliver. "I think I did really badly on it."

"Come on! Are you kidding? You're like, the best flautist in the whole section!" exclaimed Simon.

"I completely butchered it," Oliver said, "and I play the alto flute. It's not the same as the flute. And I'm the only alto flute in the band so I can't really be the best in the section."

"Well, the alto flute is similar enough to the flute and you still sound better than the rest of the flute section," said Simon.

"He's right," said Cassidy. "I heard you in grade nine before you switched to alto in grade ten and you were the best in the section. By the way, what are you doing for that physics project?"

"I don't know," said Oliver. "I was thinking about doing something with the physics of how musical instruments work."

"No way!" Simon exclaimed. "I wanted to do that!"

"You can do that then. I'll find something else to do," said Oliver. "I still have to finish my anthropology project that's due on Monday. How far have you gotten on that project Josh?"

"I haven't even started," Josh replied. "I'm actually thinking about dropping the course."

"What?" said Oliver, surprised. "Why?"

"I'm failing it. I don't think I even need the course," said Josh.

"What do you even want to do when you graduate?" asked Cassidy.

"I don't know," said Josh.

Cassidy quit her game and turned off the TV and console.

"I'm bored," she said. "Let's do something."

"I thought we were going to study," Oliver said. "It's Thursday and we have a math test tomorrow."

"I don't feel like studying," said Cassidy.

"Me neither," said Josh.

"Hey, why don't we go to the park?" Simon suggested.

"Yeah, let's bring the Frisbee too!" said Oliver. They all started to stand and head for the front door.

"I call being on Emily's team!" Cassidy shouted.

"Aww I wanted to be on her team," said Simon.

"First one to the park gets to be on Emily's team!" said Josh.

They all raced to their bikes waiting outside. Just as Oliver was about to get on his bike, he felt his phone buzz in his back pocket. He pulled it out to see a text from his mom.

"Actually, guys," said Oliver, putting his phone back in his pocket, "you go without me. I forgot I'm supposed to go shopping with my mom for new summer clothes."

"No problem," said Cassidy. "See you tomorrow?"

"Yeah, tomorrow," said Oliver as he got on his bike. "Bye!"

"See ya!" Cassidy, Josh, and Simon all called as they took off down the road on their bikes.

Oliver took off in the opposite direction, headed home. Cool air blew past his face as he pumped his legs hard. It was the end of March and spring was coming. The weather was warming up, which he was happy about. No more staying cooped up inside away from the frigid cold, he thought. He finally arrived home and parked his bike at the side of the house. He went through the front door to find his mom and his little brother getting their shoes on.