LONE

1. Eyes like a cat.

Six months back-

First or second period? I can't seem to remember. They map an entire school out on a single piece of paper? Really? How many flights of stairs are there? I can't climb all of them.

If only I had a chance to review the schedule before. Class 204. The top floor, huh? Not too far. If I leave my locker now, I'll make it early.

That should be enough. Right, okay. All I need to do is navigate through six-hundred teenagers.

Should be simple enough.

_______________________________________

bloody hell, I really miss-calculated. 

At least I'm here-"OOF-" "Crap!! Sorry about that, are you okay?"

"Are you blind?"

"Chill man, you didn't have to be a jerk about it, I don't even know you."

 He should wear better glasses since he clearly can't see.

"Good for you, now move."

Enough of that. I head towards the seat closest to the classroom door, this way I can leave quicker.

The teacher stares at me. "I'm sure you've already noticed, but we have a new addition to our classroom, Oliver. Would you like to introduce yourself?"

"Yes sir, would you like me to stand?" 

"Sure, why not?"

People are staring at me. Is that normal? 

"Hello everyone, my name is Oliver Lewis. I recently moved here from Wales."

"Great job, now, does anyone have any questions for Oliver?" "Okay Nathaniel, you go ahead."

Nathaniel? 

"Oh, um, yeah, so uh, Oliver, are those green contacts? Cause' they're kind of creepy haha, like a cat."

What is he going on about? "Excuse me?"

"Your eyes?"

Why does he have to know? "No, they're not."

 "Oh, um, okay."

"Okay, enough of that, Nathaniel." "I'm sorry Oliver, they're just excited over having you join our classroom, I'm sure."

Something tells me otherwise. "Of course, sir"

"Okay, Oliver, would you like to tell us more about yourself?"

"Okay, well, I'm fifteen, and the subject I like best is English history, My birthday is November third, and I'm not a fan of sports. Is that enough interrogation, sir?"

"Funny kid."

Ah, I see, he's dense as a rock, just wonderful. 

_______________________________________

Six months back to the present-

"Oliver! Get a move on! Move,!

Someone, please come end me.

"Yes sir, right away."

Why must P.E be first thing in the morning? I would have said this is the worst part of my day but, unfortunately, it's not.

"Coach Meyers?"

"What do you need Oliver?"

"Sir I don't appreciate your tone, you should  change it when speaking to others."

"Excuse me?"

"I said I would-"

 "Ignore him, Meyers, he doesn't mean anything by it, he's always been this, um, helpful."

"Hello Mrs. Caroline, How has your day been?" "It's been wonderful Oliver, you?

"It's been okay, thank you for asking."

"Okay everyone, go get changed, use the showers if you'd like, just make sure to get to class by ten-thirty.

"Public showers" I refuse to sit through the stench of P.E, but undress? And in front of my classmates no less

"Oliver?"

"Yes, Michael?" What does he want now? His nasty stench is leaking into my area.

"Can I borrow some of your shampoo before we go in?"

"Do you honestly need it?"

"Yeah, man! I only need a small bit."

"In that case... no." 

"What! Why not?"

"I don't have to tell you."  Why would waste my things on him?

"You're a douche-bag you know that?"

"Would I be acting like this if I wasn't?" 

_______________________________________

Much better. Finally, now I can head upstairs.

"Mr. Lewis where do you think you're going?" Not him again.

"The roof, coach." 

"The roof?"

"Indeed, the roof." Is he deaf?

"Can you tell me why?" Oh you know, to jump off and end my ever-loving existence,  why else of course?

"Of course I can sir, I prefer to study on the roof rather than in the classroom or library."

"That's great and all, but it's a restricted area." 

I know it is, why wouldn't I? "I'm aware."

"Great then there should be no issues here, go back to class."

"Coach, don't you have a wife? How is she doing?" I've been waiting to bring this up.

"Oh, she's doing good, why do you ask?"

"Oh just curious, her red hair is lovely isn't it?"

"Red? Her hair is blonde- wait, what?

"Your wife is very beautiful sir, red hair, green eyes, freckles. Oh wait, was that woman, not your wife sir? Too bad, it looked like you were enjoying yourself, but I assume that was a friend of course?

"Oliver, speak to me like that more time and you're going straight to the principal's office."

"Oh heavens, I apologize deeply, however shall you forgive my unthinkable sin?" "I would agree that some time on the roof would be a great help for me to reflect on my wrong-doings, don't you agree sir?"

"See you tomorrow coach, and tell Gemma I said hello."