Horrible Kids: The Black And Blue

Prologue

"Alright kids, we have a new student joining us this quarter!" The teacher, Mrs. O'Nelly clapped, her brown locks jumping along with her feet. 

In the very front of the class, there stood a rather small boy, who was twirling a stand of dark chestnut hair around his finger. The entire class focused their attention on the boy in the front, who obviously didn't know what he should be doing with himself. Theodore Divenaro, a somewhat taller boy who sat in the back; had also focused his ocean eyes on the boy. Theo had thought the boy looked cute; his short yet somehow long hair that fell just a few inched above his shoulders, the light yet noticeable freckles that danced along his cheeks. 

"This is Zachary Brinks, he just moved here from Denver. Please try to make him feel welcome!" Mrs. O'Nelly turned to Zachary, "Why don't you take a seat next to Theo, the boy in the back? We're reading out of our books today, and you two can just share. Theo, can you raise your hand please?"

The boy in the back did as told, and his eyes followed the shorter boy as he nervously walked to the back of the class. Zachary quietly turned to Theo, "We-we're supposed to share the.. book?"

Theo smiled and nodded, wanting Zachary to feel like he was safe. As the entire class read the book along with the teacher, Theo had continued to steal glances at Zachary. At this point Theo was nearly scaring himself; not sure whether Ella Goth or this Zachary boy was the cuter one. They were all only in fifth grade, how could they know what these type of warm feelings were?

"So.. your name's Thackary, right?" Theo asked softly as the left the class to head to the cafeteria. 

"Zachary?" 

Theo felt his face grow warm from embarrassment.

"Y-Yeah... Thackary." Zachary answered, as if knowing why his common name was said wrong. 

It wasn't long until the two had become friends; though it felt as if it were only a second when Zachary had been ripped away from Theo. They were best friends; at least until eighth grade, when Zachary told Theo sadly that he was moving back to Denver. 

Theo was left alone; shocked at the information given to him. He had really only just realized why he felt that way in fifth grade; why he had stolen glances at Zachary, and why he felt nearly euphoric when he saw him in the morning. 

He was disgusted by himself.