Testing, Testing

Chapter three

Now, the first time Jenny and I actually meet was around Christmas time that year, but before I tell what happened, keep this in mind. This was not my proudest moment.

The packed hallways sounded louder than ever, the students going impatient, waiting for Christmas break. My friends and I sat packed together on two parallel benches. We might even have been the loudest of them all.

"Were are you going this Christmas?" Asked my longtime friend, James. "Home, I guess. You?". "Glasgow. Celebrating with the fam. My Nan has been sick.". "So what?" Said Luke. Now here is something about Luke. Luke is quite rude, arrogant and an asshole, but he is so frank about it. Ninety percent of what he says is jokes, or so we hope. "Just cuz she's down with the flu or something, doesn't mean you have celebrate with her". "She has cancer." Said James in a calm, but cynical voice. "And?".

We all stared, in shock, wondering what would happen next. James said, barely controlling himself "Well, at least my family wants me there, unlike yours." He couldn't control it anymore and he bursted out, laughing, and soon we were all laughing. After that there was just insults after insults thrown at random members of the group. Some were serious, but most were jokes. Then there was my turn.

Will turned to me and said "And here, our dear Andy. Your problem is that you're to nice". "Well, fuck right of you brother-fucker. That nice enough for ya." Was my reply, as if it wasn't true. The bell rang and raced to the classroom, barely making it. But Wills words stuck, and sadly, I would prove him wrong.

Snow covered everything, from the sky to the frosty ground. It crackled under my feet on the sidewalk. I lived a bit further away from the school than my friends, the closest was Luke and my former elementary school friend Oliver. Most days Luke and I walked together, but not today.

Lost in thought, I tripped and landed face first onto something hard and cold. A lump of ice hiding under the snow. Two pairs of arms pulled me up. My vision turned blurry and my head hurt. " Is he ok?" Said a voice. "Idiot" mumbled a female one. The two people practically carried me away, and I didn't protest. At the time I just tried my best not to cry.

One of the two people whom I now recognized as Oliver, took my locked us into my house using my keys. "Find the first-aid kit" The girl said. She cleaned and patched together the cut on my forehead rather nicely and advised me not to look at any screens or bright lights.

When she was all done I finally got around to talk. "What's your name?" I asked curious. "Jenny". "Just, Jenny?". "Yup". Short and to the point. Oliver walked up to us, having kept his distance. "Well thanks Oliver and Jenny. You saved me there.". "Your welcome!" Oliver exclaimed cheerfully. He had always been the cheerful type, always a smile on his face.

Jenny on the other hand had a constantly downwards pointing mouth and stern eyes, giving her a serious look beyond her years. "Come on Oli, we gotta go." She said. "Nice to see you again Drew! Let's hang sometime." Oliver said as a statement, rushing to catch up with  Jenny. "Ok." I said watching him struggle to put on his shoes. "Promise?". "I promise" I said as he ran out the door.