1 Interruption

February was more piercing than usual. The crisp air nipped at my cheeks, tickling me like feathers. The chill breeze was a stark contrast to the warm bodies that paved the sidewalk—mindless drones caught up in their own little worlds. They walked with a sense of entitlement, their steps crunching in the snow, and their breaths puffing out in curling clouds of steam. Smirks twisted their lips as they chatted and laughed, the sounds grating on my ears.

Cherry blossom petals danced in the breeze, the delicate pink and white flowers creating a gentle flurry by my cold, sore feet. The icy ground glistened in the foggy morning light as the sun peaked from the horizon, blanketing the landscape with a radiant glow. The sky, once a deep purple, was now slowly devoured by an orange hue, heralding the arrival of a new day.

Though frigid, the air was a welcoming sensation: a reminder of living. I sucked in a small splinter of air, my lungs absorbing the breeze, and let out a pale fume. The petals that swirled around my numbed feet were interrupted by vivacious laughter.

As normal, I sat waiting for the bus to arrive. My foot tapped in impatience as my body trembled. It wasn't a special day from what I foresaw. I glanced upon the rapturous groups of kids that stood around me, an overwhelming sense of envy creeping up. Another feeling escaped me. I wasn't upset, rather it was a profound disappointment. One which united me with the infinite expanse that loomed above me. For the sky held stars, many emitting a dazzling sparkle, yet scattered so far from one another.

A sudden burst of light illuminated the dimness as the bus drove past our stop. Everyone squinted. It cruised down the road and turned around in a parking lot. The towering apartment buildings casted a bleak shadow over us. As the bus drew closer, its hazy aura and blazing headlights covered the area, making it difficult to see. I rose from my seat, turning around to gaze at the landscape behind me. With one hand resting in my pocket, I scanned my phone.

While in line, a peculiarity met my mind. Some of the freshmen on the bus gaped at me through the window, their expressions curious. I tried to avoid their ogles, not wanting to draw attention to myself. As I stepped onto the bus, I pulled my hand from my pocket and gripped the railing. I was always the last to board the bus, but unlike the others, I didn't show my bus ID. I simply greeted the bus driver with a nod and a quick smile. He returned the gesture with a warm, knowing grin. It was a small but comforting exchange between the two of us, one of few connections I had in this world.

The bus was already filled to capacity, with almost every seat occupied. Despite this, there was always a spot by the window reserved just for me. Or at least, it appeared that way. I slung my backpack off my shoulder and made my way to my seat. Once there, I slipped my phone into my pocket and dropped my bag beside me. I leaned against the window, feeling the cool glass against my cheek. The condensation from the window blurred my view, so I cleared a small sliver with my sleeve and peered out, observing the gradual sunrise.

Cars rumbled down the street, their headlights accentuating the familiar cityscape. The sky transformed from a deep shade of blue to an invigorating orange as the last remnants of night dissipated. Blinding neon signs, which masqueraded during the dark, and artificially lit convenience stores, whose monotonous colors blasted my eyes, flickered and faded. What replaced them, buildings that always acted as noticeable landmarks—one of which was the ice cream shop. However, by now, the bus should've past it. We were running a few minutes late today.

I retreated to a comfortable position, closing my tired eyes to shield myself from the turgid waves of noise. The pulsating growls and screeches of boys filled my ears, summoning a bubbling anger which grew within me. What dissuaded me from bursting was the tranquil state the bus driver maintained. It must've been a struggle to focus with such a rambunctious crowd of kids. Despite the auditory bombardment, he remained stoic against the din of passengers. In the driver's previous efforts to soothe the bus, the loudest passengers refused to quiet down, their boisterous laughter and shouting echoing throughout the ride.

I opened my eyes, surrendering to the chaos. Behind me, a young student sat buried in his notebook. He always did his homework on the bus, but today, even his concentration was shattered by the cacophony. He looked up, annoyance etched across his face, before returning to his studies with a sigh.

"Trigonometry, huh?" I inquired, trying to make conversation.

The boy regarded me from his notebook, pencil in mouth, and nodded.

"Yeah, it's not too bad," he said without much enthusiasm.

I awkwardly offered to help, "Do you need any help?"

The boy raised an eyebrow, "Really? You?"

I felt a pang of embarrassment as the boy continued, "Thanks, but I doubt you could do this. Most juniors say they forgot trig."

An prolonged awkward silence hung in the air as the bus began to slow, giving me a chance to relinquish the embarrassment of the situation. Attempting to escape and ignore the exchange, I exited the bus, but it persisted in my thoughts.

Despite the bus being slightly later than usual, it still arrived just ten minutes before school began. I stepped out first, being seated near the front, and cast a glance at the large clock in the courtyard: 7:05 AM. The sound of chatter echoed around me as I made my way to the library, head down and focused. The central cherry tree in the courtyard towered over the students, casting its shadow along with the roofed walkway.

I could easily anticipate where everyone would be. Students huddled in their familiar groups, gossiping and laughing in their small cliques. Some lingered at the entrances of the building, eager to be first in when the bell rang. I took refuge in the peace of the library, the quiet and empty halls providing a much-needed respite. I breathed deep and continued down the hallway, my surroundings a silent reminder of all I didn't have. On my left, glass windows displayed the bustling crowds outside, while to my right hung numerous awards and recognition won by my fellow students. Though I didn't feel insecure, it would have been nice to have something to show for my efforts. All I had was an advanced math class that I was failing.

As I crossed the threshold of the library, a delicate zephyr wrapped around my cheeks, greeting me with a welcome coolness. The amiable smile of the librarian extended a warm invitation, yet it was the redolence of books that truly beckoned me. The musky fragrance of the tomes filled my nostrils as I ventured towards the distant end of the room. Despite the library's unpretentious dimensions, it was a hive of activity. Hushed whispers emanated from students as they browsed the aisles, occasionally picking books from the shelves.

I found myself browsing the manga section, scanning the spines for a stimulating read. The boisterous laughter of a group of kids resonated through the room, but my attention was drawn to a solitary figure at a nearby table, fully immersed in his book. As I continued to peruse the shelves, my gaze fell on a gaudy manga, with a bright and contrasting cover. Though hesitant, I reached for it, intuiting that it would not be worth my time.

Just as I was about to abandon my search, my eyes locked on a black paperback. I gently withdrew the book from the shelf and read the title, Escaping, feeling my heart racing with excitement. Eager to catch a glimpse of what lay within, I began flipping through the pages, yearning for a tantalizing peek. But alas, the bell rang, yanking me out of my reverie. Hastily, I returned the book to its place and departed the library, my mind racing with inquiries and possibilities.

As a sudden shiver traveled down my spine, a realization dawned upon me: my backpack had been left on the bus. I couldn't believe that I had fallen into this embarrassing pattern yet again. But I couldn't afford to lose focus; I had to move quickly. Determined, I navigated through the swarms of students clogging the hallway, heading straight towards the school office to retrieve my lost item before the next class began.

Weaving my way through the foreign language wing, I opted for a shortcut to the office and finally burst through the glass doors, gasping for breath. To my relief, my backpack was perched on the receptionist's desk, and she handed it over to me with a sly smile. However, her expression quickly morphed into one of concern when she handed me a "missing item" form. It caught me off guard; I had only been separated from my backpack for a mere few minutes, and it was already considered lost?

Nevertheless, I took the form and rushed towards my locker, downing the stairs in twos. My fingers nimbly worked the combination, freeing my binder and water bottle. Swiftly shoving my backpack into the locker, I quietly shut it and set off in a mad dash towards homeroom, hoping that I could make it before the tardy bell. With a mere two minutes left, every step was crucial.

As the bell rang, I stumbled into the classroom, my breaths coming in short gasps as I tried to regain my composure. My teacher's gaze met mine, and she offered a small smile of acknowledgement. I quickly made my way to my usual seat, the heat of embarrassment creeping up my neck. The room was nearly silent, the only sound being the soft rustle of papers and shifting of desks. I gingerly set my binder down, removing the strap from my shoulder, and carefully placing my water bottle on the desk beside it.

Feeling drained from the rush and stress of the morning, I rested my hand on my cheek, my eyes feeling heavy with exhaustion. My tablemates noticed my fatigue and teased me with playful pokes, a small reprieve from the monotony of the day.

Alison, a girl I had no interest in conversing with, quietly whispered, "Guess what." Her long blonde hair curled at the bottom, and she wore a black and white striped dress, which I was sure was an attempt to impress me.

Before I could respond, a boy named Ari began to speak, "Dude? Hello? Wakey, wakey-"

Ari was a tall and imposing figure, exuding a rugged handsomeness that drew the eye. His face was graced with a thick, dark beard that accentuated his sharp jawline, while his skin had a rich, dark chocolate hue. He dressed in jerseys even in the depths of winter, seeming impervious to the cold. Despite his formidable appearance, he possessed a friendly and approachable demeanor that made him popular among his peers.

"Shut up, he's probably tired, Ari," Alison interrupted, pushing him.

As they continued to talk about a new boy joining the school, I zoned out, feeling invisible. I wasn't fond of another boy in our oversaturated school, and I hoped he wouldn't be in my classes. Otherwise, he'd be another pest in the sea of parasites that were the other boys.

Alison interrupted my thoughts, "Aren't you excited? Maybe you could make a new friend?"

"I don't care," I said dismissively, hoping it was apparent I didn't want anything to do with this new kid.

Ari spoke up, "D'you sleep?"

I didn't answer, and instead, Ari received an annoyed expression. Alison leaned on the table, poking her head towards me like an ostrich, and I turned to her and asked, "What do ya want?"

Alison slumped back in her chair, her mood souring at my dismissive response. I didn't give it much thought and settled into my own chair, hoping to catch some rest before the start of the first class. I couldn't help but hope the new student wouldn't make an appearance today, but I knew it was only a matter of time. The thought of having to introduce myself and make small talk made me cringe. I wasn't exactly the most outgoing person, and I didn't want to make a bad first impression. Eventually, I got up and signaled to the teacher that I needed to use the restroom. However, I pushed the door in the wrong direction and had to quickly correct my mistake, hoping no one had noticed my blunder. As I made my way down the hallway, I tried to be as unobtrusive as possible, not wanting to disturb the classes in session.

As I made my way down the hallway, I noticed that all the classroom doors were ajar. It was likely that the new student was touring the school, but I couldn't be sure. Suddenly, a student carrying a stack of papers and school supplies rounded the corner and bumped into me. We both stopped in front of the "cliche corner," where everyone seemed to pause before continuing on their way. At least the alliteration was catchy. I stepped back to get a better look at him and saw an adult supervisor approaching us. I quickly bowed and apologized for being in the way. The student, who had black hair and was dressed in a fancy white shirt and black trousers, appeared to be wearing a school uniform, minus the blazer. Realizing that he was struggling with his supplies, I offered to help him.

"Yes, thank you," he replied, and I picked up some of his papers, trying to stack them neatly before handing them back to him. I straightened up and tilted my head slightly, "I assume you're the new student?" I asked.

He looked at me with a hint of vulnerability before breaking into a smile, "Yep," he said as he extended his hand for a handshake.

Feeling a bit awkward, I hesitated for a second before ignoring the gesture and patting his back instead, "Good luck," I said in a monotone yet teasing tone.

As I walked away, I cringed at the embarrassment I had caused myself. I had completely forgotten about the school supervisor watching the whole interaction, and the rush of adrenaline consumed me. Hearing their voices fade away, I stopped in the middle of the hallway and stared blankly at the wall, hoping to disappear into it.

As I walked down the hallway, I couldn't help but wince at my behavior. What was I thinking, acting so informal with the new kid in front of a school supervisor? I worried that my actions would get me in trouble, especially if the new kid turned out to be one of those stuck-up jerks. The thought of it made me shiver, so I straightened my back and continued on to the restroom. After a quick break, I returned to class, hoping to avoid any further embarrassing encounters.

As soon as the bell rang, I quickly stood up, gathered my belongings, and left without a word, ignoring Alison's greeting. The hallways were crowded with students, but I took a less-traveled shortcut to get to my English class, which was in another building. I climbed up to the third floor and walked across the sky bridge that linked the two buildings, an area usually left empty by students. I preferred to arrive early to class and spend the time working on assignments rather than socializing during the five-minute break. Through the windows of the sky bridge, I watched as the crowds of students in the courtyard dispersed. When I reached the other building, I descended the stairs and quickly navigated my way through the remaining students, shuffling through quickly and seamlessly.

I arrived at my English class with my usual three-minute buffer. The teacher greeted me with a smile as I placed my belongings on my desk. I nodded back and began organizing my supplies, trying to focus my mind on the task at hand. As the silence of the classroom became more noticeable, the teacher tried to strike up a conversation with me. I gave short, curt answers, feeling annoyed and distracted. Letting out a deep sigh, I leaned back in my chair and stared up at the ceiling, trying to shut out the noise of the classroom.

As more students started to arrive, I acknowledged each one who approached me. Despite my feelings of irritation, I made a point to be polite and exchange pleasantries

Each class brought a new set of faces, but I didn't bother getting to know them. It wasn't like anyone made an effort to know me either. People claimed to be my friend, but it was all just empty words. Being invisible had its advantages, but it was also lonely. Sometimes, I enjoyed messing with people, but that grew old quickly. Despite the rumors that circulated about me, I had never dated anyone during my two years at the school. As the halfway point of the school year approached, I grew tired of the monotony. Each day was the same, and I longed for something interesting to happen. Yet, every morning I woke up expecting a change, and each day was as predictable as the last. I craved excitement and surprise, but my life remained dull and repetitive.

Class began, and I found myself drifting off into my own thoughts, lost in an existential crisis. The teacher, Mr. Cory, interrupted my musings and asked me a question about the character's actions. I looked up, startled, and searched my brain for an answer.

"Um, I think... based on what we know so far, we could assume that he has gone through some changes," I said hesitantly, hoping it would satisfy him.

Mr. Cory's expression was one of surprise and disbelief. "Actually, the character is a she," he corrected me. I felt my face grow hot with embarrassment as I slunk down in my seat, hiding behind the hood of my hoodie.

I realized then that my mind was elsewhere, and I hadn't been paying attention to the class. It was a feeling I was all too familiar with, as I often found myself lost in thought and disconnected from the world around me. But it didn't matter to anyone else, and I was left to navigate my own internal struggles in isolation. My hoodie shaded the embarrassment as I lowered in my seat.

I watched as the other students in the back of the class fiddled on their phones, probably texting their significant others. I shook my head at the sight of their mindless scrolling before turning back towards the blackboard. When class ended, everyone scattered out of the room as if their lives depended on it. I, on the other hand, took my sweet time. Maybe it was because I didn't care, or perhaps it was my blasé attitude towards getting to class. Either way, I had shortcuts up my sleeve that helped me get to my next destination quickly. I gathered my belongings and sauntered out of the classroom, offering a wave to the teacher on my way out.

The drab walls were adorned with colorful posters advertising various clubs and school events, each promising a potential avenue of intrigue. Despite my yearning for excitement, I remained stoic, eschewing all possibilities of social interaction. The root of my aloofness was a deep-seated aversion to new situations. The other students viewed me as an enigmatic figure, shrouded in an impenetrable veil of silence. Although some may have perceived me as a "cool" character, in reality, I was quite the opposite. I had briefly participated in a drama club, but my tenure was cut short due to a heated altercation with the leader. Such incidents left me apprehensive about joining any club or society in the future. As I entered my history class, I felt an unwelcome sense of familiarity.

With surprise and a touch of apprehension, I felt someone's arms drape over my shoulders and a hand pat my stomach. "Hey! Evan, how you been?" a voice inquired, his voice cheery and familiar.

I gazed at him in puzzlement, unsure of his identity until I recognized Jun, an old friend from years ago. He and I had been close during our youth, but our paths diverged in middle school. Though I had since moved on, Jun had evidently harbored hopes of reconnecting with me in high school. As he drew near, his proximity encroaching upon my personal space, I edged away towards the back of the classroom.

"I-I'm doing fine..." I replied bemusedly.

Jun ruffled my hair and slid his arm down my back, and I found myself relaxing slightly as he steered us towards a less crowded area.

"Look, I know it's been a while, and that you and I have changed, but maybe we can go out, have some shakes and catch up?" Jun suggested, his tone hopeful.

"Uh...Sure? Why not?" I replied with a hesitant grimace.

Jun nodded, patting my head in a gesture of goodwill, and returned to his seat, leaving me to ponder the prospect of renewing an old friendship.

Awkwardly, I stood and surveyed the room, taking a moment to find my seat. The teacher began his customary instruction, droning on with dull and uninteresting material. I knew the class that would follow took place during the lunch period, so there was no need for me to exert much effort in paying attention. Patiently, I awaited the hour to strike and seized the opportunity to excuse myself from the classroom.

Just as I thought I had escaped the monotony of the classroom, a familiar face appeared before me in the hallway. It was Alison, and she had intercepted me just as I was about to head towards the lunchroom.

"Hi, Evan," she greeted me with a warm smile, "where you heading?"

"Oh, nowhere in particular-" I replied, slightly taken aback by her sudden appearance.

"You looking for that new kid?" she inquired with a glint in her eye.

"Uhm what?" I was perplexed, "I already met him, he's eh."

"Really? I haven't seen him yet. Maybe you should let him off a little. You never know, you could be friends," she suggested, her countenance beaming with hope.

As the light from the ceiling illuminated her face, I couldn't help but sense that something was amiss. I cautiously approached her and gave her a few gentle taps on the cheek.

"Cool, I'll take note of that," I said as I began to depart.

Alison reached out and grabbed my ear, halting my progress. "Wait!" she exclaimed.

I turned to face her, a hint of annoyance creeping into my voice. "What is it?" I demanded.

Alison appeared crestfallen and shook her head. I resumed my journey towards the courtyard, where I took a seat under the cherry blossom tree, hoping to find some solace from the tumultuous events of the day.

As I partook of my midday meal, I couldn't help but ponder the peculiar interaction I had with Alison. There was an elusive message in her gaze, a subtle meaning that eluded my comprehension. Could it be that she harbored romantic feelings for me? I quickly dismissed this notion as absurd, for I knew she was far too sensible and discerning to engage in such unrequited yearning. No, there must be another explanation for her cryptic behavior.

Lost in thought, I chewed my food with meticulous precision, savoring each morsel. However, I soon realized that I had dawdled for too long, and the next class was fast approaching. With an abrupt gulp, I finished the rest of my meal and hastily gathered my belongings. I strode purposefully down the hall, determined to make it to the next class on time.