Chapter 1; The warm side of my window
On nights where I crave adventure the most, there is always the light of a fire in the forest near my home. It's usually sporadic - when at night it happens will always be a mystery to me.
The first sight of the flames from my window is, obviously, smoke. The smoke rises in the air and swallows the sky, building and growing before drowning the stars. After the smoke, it's the build-up of flames and then a night of everlasting hot chocolate with blankets held tightly to my body. I watch as the flames grow and weaken before pushing out towards space.
Who is lighting the fires?
In those nights of flame and smoke, I marvel at the sky. I think, and I know this sounds silly, but I like the idea of a 'man in the moon.' I like this fantasy because the man on the moon gets to see many things that I cannot, such as the fires on the other side of my window. The warm side of my window that I cannot reach my hand out and grasp.
My name is Oliver Walker. I dream of an adventure of a lifetime. I like to play volleyball, take photos and I find strange things interesting.
I think, deep down we all do.
***************
It's a chilly day when school starts up. If I live in another area, it would surely snow. It hasn't snowed here anymore- It hasn't for years. But I am here, no matter how much it pains me to be. The problem with school for me is the lack of adventure - and no, I'm not going on a speel about how bad the education system is, I'm just saying I'd rather throw myself into a volcano and burn alive than go to one more math class.
I have always been one for adventure.
I was, one day, an astronaut fighting aliens set to brainwash humanity into eating only vegetables so they could snack on candy (don't worry, I won, here's your candy), and the next I was a gun-slinging sheriff set on catching mid-west outlaws.
Then, puberty hit, and I hid my hunger for adventure by studying and playing volleyball. There's something about stepping on the court that feed's my need for adventure, even if it's short-lived.
The school I go to has nothing special nor bad about it. Of course- there's always a card out of place in a deck.
Aspen-Lee Miller.
A fanfiction-worthy bad boy with no interest in anything but 'what can I get out of next?' Aspen Lee is the school genius of excuses, in fact, anything can be one.
'Sorry Ms, the power at home went out", 'Sir, sorry but my printer stopped working at home" and, of course,' Miss, My dog ate my homework.'
Of course, even if he is a liar, he leads a more interesting life than I do. I am jealous.
The counselor, Mr. Markhill, has heard of my dilemma. I often wonder if I know myself more or if Mr. Markhill can look at me and see all my mistakes…
"Oliver! Good to see you, I was about to write you a note to be sent here!" The counselor laughed as he sat in his chair. The cup of hot chocolate rested heavy in my hand, the warmth breaking my ice-cold hands into a heated oasis, my nimble fingers no more.
Mr. Markhill was the laid-back kind of counselor, the one that would let you sleep during recess and lunch in his office and got you out of any class you hated, no questions asked. Taking a sip out of the mug, I sigh in relief.
The counselor's room is a place of comfort for me and many people. It's a time to unwind, untangle and sort out life as if it was a messy ball of yarn. Life is a knotty, tangled ball of yarn and I just want to untangle it and move onto the next challenge. Filled with service pamphlets and paintings that covered his office's wall.
'Well, Oliver, how was the break?"He takes a sip of his cup. He already knows my answer, but it has become a ritual between us to start our sessions off with a simple question-answer. It's normal, nothing ever happens.
And that's exactly what I say.
Nothing is enough to fill my excessive need for adventure.
Mr. Markhill cracks a smile.
Mr. Markhill is like the father figure I never had before.
But even if he is my father figure, I haven't told him about my social anxiety, not yet at least. Competition is coming up for volleyball and I don't need someone harping on my mental health whilst I'm trying to win a game.
"I think, Oliver, I have something that might change that. A program, if you will." I nod as he reaches up to his desk, shuffling some papers around before handing one to me. "This is for you, a buddy program for school that will randomly match you with someone. You're supposed to team up and get enough points through activities. The whole idea is to match up the lonely kids in school and find them a friend."
I'm classified as a lonely kid because the only time outside of a classroom that I interact with someone is on a volleyball court.
It's affecting my playing, I need to sort it out.
"Whether it's something you do or not, I think it would be good for you, so just have a look."
I nod and our session goes on.
Yes, I'm missing math.
***************
At home, after dinner, I properly take a look. It's a program that's boringly titled 'Strangers in the Crowd'. My cat jumps on my lap, I snuggle further into my blanket. It's something that goes on for a term and starts in week 2.
Should I? What if I'm paired up with someone that I'm not good enough for? What if I make a mistake and they leave me?
Yes, a part of me says, you should, think of the possibilities!
No, a part of me counters, just throw it in the bin and move on.
I take one look at my cat and then the window.
The smokes back, it looks angrier than before, like it's on the hunt.
I sign my name and go to sleep, watching the flames grow above the short trees.
***************
Friday roll's around and I'm called to the library. I find a group of people gathered and we are ushered into a room and instructed to sit down in chairs. There are 36 chairs, but only 35 people.
Who's missing?
My heart is beating and my palms are sweaty. I wanna puke, I wanna leave but I stay.
I stay because that's what Mr. Markhill would want.
I focus on the books in the room, counting them, reading their titles, trying to guess what they are about. The room is maroon colored and has two big windows. I try counting the patterns on the walls, but I'm too nervous.
The door opens and I snap my head up and the last person I expect to see is here.
You guessed it. Aspen-Lee Miller, in all his glory.
That's 36 people.
The librarian soon comes in.
"Welcome students, it's a pleasure to see you all! If you don't know me, my name is Miss Rosemary, and I am the librarian." We greet her back.
"Ok, so before we get to the part you're all excited for about finding out your partners, I have some information that needs to be passed on."
Oh god, here we go…
"Meetings are every Monday during period 5 and will go on until school ends. That means an hour of activities and friendly competition! Near the end, we have arranged for a day out for a picnic and games by the sea, but don't tell anyone I told you that!'
Miss Rosemary brings out a list of names and we all know it's time.
"When I call out your names, please join up with your partner, after everyone finds their partners, we will start with a game amongst ourselves and then go home!
"Lily Berne and Mark Tumbleward." the two move to each other.
"John Amber and Norman Hugo"
Names fly by and soon there's only a small group of people waiting to be paired up. I sit nervously in my seat and wait for my name.
"Aspen-Lee Miller and Oliver Walker."
Because of course, my life is a Wattpad fanfiction.