As I walk into the school gate, I see a bunch of students gathered around something.

Curious, I walk up and peek inside the horde.

Inside is a short ginger, face doused in freckles, wearing a black shirt, black ripped jeans, a few piercings, black eyeshadow/liner, and a pair of black converse.

All we need to complete this scene is ‘Welcome To The Black Parade’ by My Chemical Romance.

Ah shit, here we go again.

In the distance I see the most popular guy in school, Vice President, journalist Joseph Sorrenti.

“Everyone clear away from the poor kid!”

He says, obviously excited to meet the new kid.

His eyes hit the emo and silence comes from Joseph’s lips.

He stares in utter shock and then a second later starts spamming him with questions.

“A e-emo? Do you worship satan? Do you sin? Do you go to church? Why do you dress this way? Do you have depression? Mental problems? Do you need to see a guidance counselor? Are you ok?” He spouts.

The new kid responds in an excited voice.

“Yes I’m emo. I don’t worship satan. Doesn’t everyone sin? I don’t go to church. I dress this way because I want to. No, I don’t. And mental problems....I guess-“ Everyone gasps but me.

I probably should get to class before I’m late.

I’ve stayed here a bit too long listening to the nonsensical babbling I’m hearing.

I start to walk away when the new kid says “A-Aaron?”

Wait...what the shit?

I’ve never met this kid. How’d he know my name?

“Yes?” I reply dryly in shock.

I look around and everyone else is weirded out by this new development.

“Do I know you?” I continue. 

“It’s me..Evan!”

Every memory I’ve shut deep inside my brain comes spurting out at once before the ground seems to move.

And then I hit the ground.

“Aaron! Wake up!!!!”

Ugh.

I recognize that voice.

“Mom?” I call.

“Yes, sweetie.”

Since when does she call me sweetie?

Confused, I sit up and see the nurse close by.

Oh, now I get it.

She walks up to me and starts talking.

“Hey kid. I’m nurse Carmen. So why’d you pass out?”

Oh no, not again.

The memories come flushing back but I don’t pass out this time.

“I honestly don’t know.” I reply.

“Well then you seem to be just fine. Your blood levels stable, but you should drink some water you seem to be a bit dehydrated.”

She hands me a bottle and I gulp it down.

“Thanks.” I say feeling a bit better after the drink.

My mom inserts herself into the conversation.

“Honey, do you want to go home or stay here for the day to get your work done?”

She says with cold, harsh vulture eyes that scream ‘stay here.’

“I’ll just continue my classes. What time is it Nurse Carmen?”

If it’s after 11:45 AM I’m in social studies.

“It’s 11:00 AM.” The nurse states.

Aw man, it’s still VPA.

“Well I’ll be going. See you tonight Aaron.” My mother says.

“Bye.” I say to Nurse Carmen but it sound like I’m replying to my mother so she doesn’t respond.

As soon as I walk in the hall, I see Evan.

I quickly duck behind the lockers not wanting to get a rush of nostalgia and faint again.

A girl I don’t recognize walks up to him.

“Heyyyy New Kid!” She says flirtatiously.

His expression turns sour. “Hey..Amber.” He replies cold.

“What class do you have for VPA?” She says obviously not understanding how uncomfortable he is.

“Uh, band.” He grabs his folders out of his locker and walks away.

“Wait for me! I also have band!”

So do I, Amber.

I just don’t cling on to my classmates.

I follow them to band.