Beneath my brown boots, fallen leaves crunch with every careful step I take with my camera raised. As I peer through the lens of said camera, a grin spreads across my face. After hearing that familiar click when I take a picture of the tree right outside our school, I pull away and glance down to inspect the digital photo.
Autumn has arrived and some of the leaves have lost their previous green hue. They are now transforming into a deep brightness, which is one of the reasons I adore this season. The shades of orange, yellow, and the rare red make carrying my camera around a blessing in disguise.
A feeling of disappointment washes over me as I review the picture I had taken. With a determined mindset, I raise my camera again and sweep my eyes around the surrounding area in search of a better subject. After passing by a few mediocre frames, I stumble upon the most perfect shot.
However, my view is interrupted by a boy and his car which ends up blocking my line of sight. I scowl in irritation until the camera adjusts its focus on his side profile as he communicates with someone outside the frame. The background behind him blurs into a magnificent vibrant red, which only serves to highlight his features.
Almost thoughtlessly, I snap a photograph of the dark-haired boy with oddly curly strands, capturing the essence of the moment perfectly.
As I peer through the camera lens, I notice him turning around and staring back at me. At first, a look of bemusement covers his face, but then he slowly raises his hand, waving at me questioningly.
Quickly, I lower my camera and look over at him through my own gaze. I awkwardly wave back at him. His dark brown hair curls around his face, fluttering slightly in the wind. Although he's standing far away, I still notice a small smile on his face before he enters his car and drives out of the car park.
When my phone chimes in my back pocket, I pull it out and my face lights up when I see an email from my anonymous pen pal.
Hello, SJ.
It's good to finally hear from you again after so long. Sorry to hear about your laptop coffee situation. Hopefully, you did not get caught in the crossfire what with electricity being conductive and whatnot. Uhm... so I ended up taking your advice and came out to my family which has surprisingly lifted a weight from my shoulders. Let me know if you want to hear the details about that, but hope you're well. Speak soon.
Signing out, KS <3
After typing out a hasty response where I ask him to absolutely share the details about him coming out to his family, I distractedly tug down the strings of my brother's thick hoodie, I enclose myself in warmth. I'm lucky Yang Jin did not feel the need to wake up unexpectedly early today. He does not like it when I elope to school with his clothes even though he does the exact same thing to me with my bathrobe and nightgown. I have told him so many times not to wear my stuff, but he doesn't listen. So, do unto those what you want done unto you.
Today, I opted for a simpler outfit instead of my usual meticulously planned attire that take a considerable amount of time and effort. As someone who once aspired to pursue a career in fashion design, I cannot resist buying trendy and fashionable clothes. I paired my plain skinny jeans with my trusty brown Timberland boots to complete my outfit. The boots have a rugged and durable look that adds a touch of authenticity to my overall appearance.
Doing my normal rounds at the lockers, with music blasting through my headphones, I bob my head slightly and the occasional roll of my shoulders. Some people stare, but they quickly disregard my behaviour.
When I find the only locker with you can do it written in a black marker on it, I enter my combination and allow the lock to click open. The first day of high school was so terrible that even thinking back to the day makes me cringe in embarrassment. That's how Taylor came up with the idea of permanently branding my locker to lift my spirits. It didn't work, but I appreciated the gesture.
Almost consciously, I glance over at the one next to mine, pausing midway packing my books into my backpack. Rolling my lips into my mouth, I wonder if its blue blandness represents him as a person, all stoical and emotionless.
My lips twitch as I remember the days when I would peek over at him as he glanced left and right in fear of me catching him there and pestering him to the point of no return. Then I purse them into a thin line to hide the involuntary smile that escaped me. I still can't believe that the locker of the first boy I have ever liked is right next to mine. And that very same boy is now blackmailing me to get his crush.
Tiredly, I heave a sigh from my chest. What kind of sick game are you playing, fate?
Fate doesn't answer me.
After I've shut the door of my locker, I hurriedly shove the books in my hands down my bag. Zipping it close with little to no trouble, I turn around to go to class, but end up jumping out of my skin with a yelp leaving my lips when I find a figure standing there. I hiss a breath through my gritted teeth.
"Why must you creep up on me like that?" I scold him through my agitation, calming my pounding heart. "Jesus, mate."
He pulls my headphones down around my neck. "Have you done it?" he asks, instead of having a little clemency and apologising.
"Yeah, I'm doing fine, thanks for asking," I say satirically, throwing my bag over my shoulder with an eye roll. "Not having any kind of heart attack if you're wondering."
"We don't have time for that, Starr," he immediately shuts down my sardonic replies and looks around to see if anyone is listening in on our conversation. They're not. When he sees that they're minding their own business, he leans in and whispers discretely, "Have you done it?"
"Dude, I literally just got to school. Also, I have some Calculus homework which I haven't completed yet and this is the only time I can do it. And honestly, I don't… I don't even know where Jodie is right now," I end with a lie, averting my gaze so that he doesn't see this. "Maybe I'll just do it in Physics. We all have that class together."
The truth is, I'd really love to prolong this until I honestly have do it. Jodie and I haven't spoken to each other ever since Taylor and I left the group. Even when we're forced by circumstances to sit next to each other in class we don't say anything to each other. It's as awkward as it sounds.
Except Dominic isn't going to give me a choice in this. I'm, and I quote, a puppet on strings being pulled by the puppeteer. That is literally what he said to me the other day, no joke.
It is going to be weird when I suddenly show up and start talking to her when I could've done it a long time ago.
"Stands," he says in a deadpan tone.
"What?"
"Jodie, she's on the stands," he tells me.
I force a wince out of my expression.
"That's the popular kid's designated spot, but I'm sure you knew that already."
"Can't I just do it in Physics?" I plead with him desperately.
"No, the plan says that you have to do it now in the morning before we can initiate the second step of the plan during recess. Our class is right after recess so that's going to mess up the entire thing and I'm really not in the mood to do any more altering of the plan."
"Well, I'm sorry that my school work is more important than the altering of your stupid plan to get laid," I reply, sarcasm staining my tone.
His jaw clenches at my words.
"At least with you we can initiate step two tomorrow, but my homework is due today. I could fail, Dominic. Don't you understand that?"
"Don't make your problem mine. I never told you not to do your homework at home," he says, glowering at me.
"Yeah, but—"
His phone rings cutting me off and he pulls it out of his pocket. After seeing the caller, his face twists in disgust and he swiftly declines the call. I can't resist a glance at his screen to catch a glimpse of the person who called him, but the phone's brightness is turned down to its lowest level, making it impossible to see.
When he looks back up, I quickly erase the look of curiosity from my expression and simply watch him widely. He narrows his eyes at me suspiciously for a moment, but he surprisingly doesn't poke any questions at me nor make a smarmy comment.
"Why are you still standing here as if you don't have something to do? Go and talk to her or I will visit the library today to ask for a bunch of papers that I can photocopy a certain love letter onto or… you know, even better. I could make you internet famous. Wanna become internet famous?"
My face drops at his threat and I almost feel like bursting out into tears of frustration. "No, I don't wanna become internet famous."
"Then go and find Jodie and initiate step one of the plan."
"Yes, Sir Dominic Lachowski," I respond in a snarky manner, even going as far as saluting him. I sidestep him so that I can go and find the infamous Jodie, but the tight grasp he puts on my arm pulls me back abruptly.
"Also, next time you lie to me, at least make an effort to look into my eyes."
With that being said, he strides past me, letting himself get swallowed by the crowd. I groan lowly and shake my head. Nice going, Seong Jin, I berate myself and mentally smack myself upside the head.
Now I have to go and face the one person I don't want to. It was awkward enough having to sit next to her in Physics not so long ago. Now I have to talk to her. Does the person he has apparently fallen irrefutably in love with have to be Jodie Dillon of all people? Does it have to be the person who chose popularity over five years of friendship? Honestly, this is just my luck.
With a quick stride, I walk in the direction of where Jodie normally is in the morning.
The stands.
This is where all the popular kids normally sit in the morning. Most of them are football players, cheerleaders, and even athletes. Basically, if you play sports and you're good at it you might get accepted in the group.
I remember how in the beginning, my first year in high school, I was only offered a spot in the clique, because of football, but due to certain conflicts between myself and Savannah, I had to leave said clique. Taylor did not seem like she wanted to part ways with all our friends, but she halfheartedly left with me. Why she chose me over popularity, is still beyond my comprehension. I am glad she did though, because without her, I would probably be some friendless loser who'd have nothing, but books to accompany him.
I hear them before I see them due to them being obnoxiously loud. That is probably one thing I remember about them. Back then I didn't mind it though. I accepted them with their flaws. Before I can see them, I pull the hood of my hoodie down and quickly fix myself, making sure that my recently trimmed hair is styled properly. I pat my hoodie down to make sure that it doesn't have any wrinkles or anything like that.
You have to look perfect in this crowd or you'll be known as the one boy who had a wrinkle on his hoodie. Nobody wants to be remembered as that.
When I see them, I am reminded of the good old days before we broke up. Even with the stereotypes that popular, high school students hold in any work of fiction, you can tell that there is a genuineness in the friendship that they share.