When the actual first day of the school year started, Thomas was almost immediately bored. The only course he absolutely had to take that year was his twelfth grade English class, which he wasn’t slated for until second semester. All his courses this semester were filler courses so that he would have the required number of credits to graduate. He hadn’t cared what they were when he picked them.

Which is how his first two classes of the day ended up being Photography and Family Studies. Neither one interested him, but he hoped that the testable material wouldn’t be very difficult. If he could get a good average, he’d have better luck getting into university.

Regardless of why he was taking the courses, he was still bored out of his mind when he slumped into a chair in the cafeteria.

“If this is what you look like on the first day,” Ian, one of his friends since elementary school, laughed. “Then you’re never going to make it to graduation.”

Thomas scowled at him. “School is boring.” He declared, stealing one of Ian’s french-fries.

“You just need to find something to make it more interesting.” Eli commented, wrapping an arm around his girlfriend, Shea’s shoulders. It didn’t take much effort to figure out just what he thought Thomas needed.

“Speaking of which,” Ian scanned the cafeteria. “Where’s Briar?”

Thomas flicked the back of Ian’s head. Last year, he had encouraged Briar to sit with him and his friends at lunch, hoping to get to spend more time with her. Ian had really taken a liking to her. All of them had, but Ian especially, to the point where Thomas felt his older brother instinct kicking in.

“Looks like she’s found her own freshmen to coddle.” Shea smirked, tilting her chin.

Thomas turned in his seat and scanned the crowded cafeteria. He spotted Briar sitting at a table closer to the door. She was chatting with the other students seated there.

“How do you know they’re freshmen?” Ian was staring at the other table, a look of jealousy on his face.

Shea shrugged. “They look scared and intimidated. Briar’s strong willed, sure, but she’s still only in tenth grade. Only newbies would be that nervous around her.”

“Newbies, or Ian.” Eli laughed.

“Shut up.” Ian turned on him. “I’m not intimidated or scared. I just don’t always know what to say.”

“‘Cause you like her.” Shea teased.

Thomas scowled. He had nothing against Ian, but he really didn’t want his friends joking about dating his sister.

“It’s good that she has other friends.” He told them, starting to poke at his pasta salad. “It would be weird for her to be alone next year after we graduate.”

“Ugh, don’t remind me.” Shea threw an almond at him. “My mom has been hounding me to decide what I want to study.” She scrunched up her face to do a bad impersonation of her mom. “‘Darling, you have to have your applications in before February, otherwise you won’t be fairly considered.’” She let out a loud huff. “What if I don’t want to go to college?”

“Just pick something easy to get her off your back.” Eli rubbed her shoulder. “Just make sure it’s close.” Eli already knew he was going to the university in their city. His dad taught there, so he would get free tuition.

Thomas watched them share a kiss, a twinge of jealousy in his chest. Maybe Eli was right. Maybe it was time for him to think about dating. The only problem was, he didn’t know any girls that he would want to date.