Jay Meyer jumped as his locker was closed in front of him. Kerass laughed at Jay while he held his hand over his heart trying to calm himself down. Jay smiled back at him. "You're such an ass, you know that?"
"Oh yeah, then why you smiling?" Kerass responded.
Jay then joined in with the laughter. Jay had gelled jet-black hair. The spikes in his hair only made him stand out more in a sea of people that just went with the flow. Hair didn't seem all that important to anybody else, but was crucial to him. He always looked sharp. Jay wore a red shirt. In black letters the phrase 'The Crucible – See it because you know you want to' was plastered across the center of the shirt.
"Speaking of, how's rehearsals going?" Kerass asked.
"We weren't even talking about anything close to that for one thing, but it really doesn't matter."
"Uh, yeah, it does," Kerass replied. "It's important to you, so it's important to me, too. That's why I asked, dumbass."
Jay paused looking guilty. "They could always be better, I guess."
"Wow, that's very specific. I really feel like I was there with you," he sarcastically replied.
"Would you cut the crap? I haven't had time to memorize my lines."
"So what?"
"It's unprofessional, that's what," Jay said tearing up.
"Chill out, ok, bud? We're not professionals, we're students in high school. No one expects you to be perfect. Plus, the play's not until 2 months away anyways, so you've got plenty of time to get it down pat."
"That's easy for you to say. You're a rockstar at everything you do. Excelling is in your nature. Perfection is your very calling in life."
"Can't say I disagree with that."
Jay wiped tears from his eyes.
"You're so openly sensitive, I love it," Kerass consoled him. "I wish I was more like you, open about my feelings."
"Yeah, right," Jay said under his breath.
"No, I'm serious. It comes so naturally to you, but to me I die a little inside thinking about sharing anything. Never hide your true feelings, but seriously, just exhale, dude. It's not that big of a deal."
"I need to, otherwise they'll beat me up."
"No, they won't. They're too scared to go through me and I've always got your back."
"I know. Is it too much to ask for a hug?"
"Yes, during school hours at least."
Jay sniggered. "Ok, then. I guess I really shouldn't worry about it at all."
"Exactly."
"It'll be fine," Jay exhaled. "I get to yell at everyone as I'm the biased, diabolical judge. I don't have to change my hair at least this time as it hides underneath a hideous white wig."
"See? There you go. You've found a positive already."
Kerass yawned attempting to stay awake.
"Get enough sleep?"
"No, I pulled an all-nighter for that Tale of Two Cities paper."
"Oh, drat! That's due today?" Jay freaked out.
"No, I just won't have time to finish it by Friday due to all my away games."
"Oh, thank god. Speaking of, how are your stats coming, football stud?" Jay asked. "Now notice how I correctly used a sequitur?"
"Ok, English freak. For one thing I'm not a stud. Promise me you'll never call me that again. You know I don't pay attention to that sorta stuff," Kerass said.
Jay smiled. "Yeah, I know."
Kerass sighed, finally awake. "Are you coming to the away game Friday afternoon?"
The smile immediately left Jay's face. "I can't."
"Rehearsal?"
Jay nodded.
"I figured as much. It's fine. I'm sure you'll make it to one of my games eventually."
"Maybe…" Jay dragged the word out in a singsong voice.
Kerass pulled out his geometry homework. "Hey, do you have Ms. Flynch?"
"Nah, I have Mr. Carl. You know, that whole weird two first names thing?"
"Uh…ok. Odd man you are. Anyway, maybe I could get some one-on-one tutoring or something."
"All right, well don't fail otherwise we'll stop winning."
"Don't remind me!" Kerass called out over his shoulder as he sprinted up the stairs two at a time to reach the math hallway. By the time he made it to room M25, it was only 7:05. Shockingly someone was already in the room. He felt like he recognized her outside of the classroom for some reason, but he couldn't quite place it. She was the new girl. Of that he was certain. "I bet we have the same question. Do you mind if I join in?" She shook her head. He sat down right beside her. He glanced over at her sheet of paper making sure of her name before he said anything else. "You're new here right, Cadence?"
"Yeah," she said with a nod.
"Hey, are you that girl?" He asked. "That girl they've talked about on the announcements with the new club?"
She smiled back at him. "Are we really going to talk about that or are we going to figure out geometry?"
"Fair enough." Within moments they became solely focused on finishing the homework. The problem was actually quite simple once the teacher explained it. Before he knew it, he had breezed through the rest of the assignment.
Silence ensued as the rest of their classmates trickled in. The beginning of the school day always seemed to take forever once you sat down in the classroom. Yet once the bell rang twice, the announcements immediately came on over an intercom full of static. Today was nothing special. The freshmen football game was Friday at 3:30 at Justice High. The announcer jovially read out Kerass's current stats. He subtly covered his ears trying to block out all sound until that specific announcement was over. Cadence gave him a thumbs up which instantly relieved him. He looked back up just in time to hear that play rehearsals were Thursday and Friday from 2:30-5:00.
"And lastly, the peer support group meets up for their first ever meeting after school at 2:30 today in the English hallway at room D60. Ask Mr. Hendricks or Cadence Harris for more details. Now, let us pause for a minute of silence."
The intercom went silent. Eyes shifted over to Cadence who remained silent, unblinkingly staring at the white board.
The final bell was delayed for 12 seconds. No one else seemed to notice that their day was extended as they all spoke with each other. Everyone except Cadence. She relished leaving at the end of the day, but not this day. She made her way down to room D60 and made it at 2:14 sharp. Mr. Hendricks smiled at her as she came in.
"Cadence," Mr. Hendricks beamed, "this is so exciting, but I've got a meeting to go to. I'll be back at 3:00, I promise. One of the guidance counselors promised me he would be here by 2:30, though, so just relax. You will not have to facilitate. Everything's under control."
Cadence smiled at him as he walked out the door. That seemed incredibly unprofessional, leaving her to take on the first interest meeting with a stranger, but really what did she expect out of Oak Stream by this point?
The time kept ticking away, every second felt like it dragged on for an eternity. 2:20…2:30…2:40…she was getting anxious. Nobody had shown up, which wasn't exactly a surprise, but a disappointment all the same. Also, wasn't that guidance counselor supposed to show up over 10 minutes ago? She was about to leave, but decided instead to stay behind until Mr. Hendricks returned. She wouldn't abandon him the way he did her. Walking over to the window, she stared at the barren trees outside. It was yearning for a photo, to look at the tree from a different angle. Nothing grew here, least of all her confidence. It begged for a shot, especially as it bent in the wind. Fallen, dead leaves blanketed the grass surrounding the trees.
There was a knock at the door. Her first thought was to look at the clock. It was 2:45. Her eyes fell down on the person who stood in the doorway. She couldn't believe her eyes. It was Kerass. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.
"I'm sorry I'm late," he said stepping inside the door. "I couldn't remember the room number and have been scrambling to find it since the end of the day."
She continued gawking at him. This wasn't real. This couldn't be happening. How could he be here? Who else had more support in all of the student body than he?
"Is the meeting over already?" he asked apologetically.
"No," she replied, surprised that her voice actually worked. She looked into his eyes. They were filled with such sorrow. They seemed so empty. She had to say something. She had to ask. "Why are you here, Kerass?"
"I can't go home, not without something to delay me from getting there at least. I didn't have practice today. I need a cover up, but even more importantly, I think, no, I know I need help. I need this group."
She sighed, trying to muster the courage to keep talking. Nothing was helping. She was still in shock that he was the only one who had shown up.
"Say something. Please?"