East Is Up ||-// Jøshler

before you start your (school) day

A/N: Hey, friendos!! This is my first *original* book! I'm so excited to start this journey that literally no one is going to read. But if someone does read this... Who am I kidding?? Nobody's gonna read this. Alright, on with the show!!

*Tyler's POV*

I woke up to the sound of my wretched alarm screeching itself senseless. I reached for the snooze button. I just needed 5 extra minutes to "rest my eyes" and I'd be golden.

A few minutes later I hear a soft knock on my door. "Tyler?" I heard my mother call out to me. "C'mon, sweetie. You don't want to be late for your first day of school!"

I didn't want to get up. I just wanted to lay in bed. Why do I even have to go to school, anyway? It's not like my report card is gonna make me feel any better about myself.

"Coming!" I answered groggily. I sat up and stretched before yawning and rubbing my eyes. I glanced at the clock to see what time it was.

7:20

Alright, the bus is supposed to get here at 7:45 so I have a good 25 minutes to get ready.

I trekked to the bathroom to pee and brush my teeth. As I spit out the pasty, white liquid, I examined myself in the mirror.

I looked like garbage. There were so many things I wish I could change about myself. So many flaws and Imperfections. I hated my reflection. After I decided I'd had enough I went to the closet to change.

Hmm. What should I wear to make a good impression? I settled on some black, skinny jeans and a white hoodie over a black T-shirt. I slid on a black wristband that had "my chemical romance" written on it in white text. I figured it matched my outfit.

As the bus pulled up outside I grabbed a piece of bacon and headed for the door. I was almost already outside when I heard my mom say "Ah! Forgetting something?"

I turned to look at her and saw she was holding my school ID. "Oh yeah," was all I could say as I chuckled nervously and reached out to grab it.

It was almost in my grasp when she pulled it away at the last second."Next time, make sure that you have everything before you leave, okay?"

"Yes, ma'am, I will. But can I get my ID, now? The bus is kind of waiting." She handed me the ID and I took off. "Bye, I love you," she called as I left. I waved and gave her thumbs up in response.

The bus door opened and I climbed inside. "Hi," I greeted the bus driver. He glared at me until I turned to take a seat.

I scanned the isles looking for a place to sit. Instead, I felt everyone's eyes on me. I hated that feeling. It makes me uneasy and want to throw up. I don't even like looking at me. Let alone an entire bus full of judgemental teenagers.

But still I continued my search. Finally, I spotted an empty seat in the back. As I headed towards it, a guy with dark, slicked back hair shaved on one side stood up and blocked me from sitting.

"Sorry! Seat's taken," the guy says. "Look I ju-" I tried to respond but he cut me off. "I SAID... Seat's taken. You got a problem with that?" He glared at me.

I tried glaring back, but I doubt it was nearly as menacing. "Pssst! Hey! New guy!" I heard someone whisper. I broke our staring contest to investigate.

A girl with blonde hair and a young looking face motioned for me to come and sit next to her.

"You heard your girlfriend. Go sit with her," he said. "She is NOT my girlfriend!" I retorted.

"Hey! Take a seat, already!" The bus driver demanded. We made one final death glare at each other before I walked to go sit with that girl who wasn't my girlfriend.

"Don't mind Brendon. He can be a real jerk sometimes," she said. "Tell me about it." We both looked at each other and laughed.

"I'm Moriah, by the way. But everyone calls me poppy," she elaborated while holding out her hand.

"Nice to meet you, poppy," I said while shaking her hand. "I'm Tyler. It's nice to know there are people here with decency."

I took a moment to assess what she was wearing. She had on a light purple tank top, a pink skirt, a matching purple headband decorated with white flowers, baby blue flats topped with white flowers, and a white, lace bracelet, aslo decorated with white flowers.

Wow, This girl sure loved flowers. Almost as much as she loved pastel.

We had one final stop before heading to school. It was the house right next to mine. I watched as a boy with black, shoulder length hair covering a portion of his face stepped on the bus.

We had a lingering moment of eye contact as he passed by us. I turned around to see where he was going to sit cause Brendon was being a dick with seats.

I watched as he fist bumped Brendon before sitting down right next to him.

I turned back to the front and huffed. Great. Of course he's friends with Brendon.