Tuesday, September 21 → Wednesday, September 22

   When I was in preschool, a boy approached me. After talking for a while, we realized we lived next to each other, and were interested in the same things. That’s how I met my best friend Jack Calaway. To me, he was the happy and outgoing type of person, with good grades and good looks as well. If Alexander didn’t go to our school, and if Jack wasn’t a complete bookworm, his sleek dirty blond hair and cold blue eyes wouldn’t have gone to waste. Among the kids who usually got ignored, Jack was the popular one.

   Around 10:30 that night, while I was doing my AP Literature homework, I got a text from him.

Jack: So you’re tutoring the most popular kid in school, ehh?😏

Me: How’d you know?

Jack: I saw you at the end of the day

Jack: So?

Jack: What does Wonder Boy need help with?

Me: Literally everything

Jack: 😂😂😂😂😂

Me: It’s not funny!

Jack: Sorry, but you know how much I love teasing people

Me: Yeah, and it’s ANNOYING!!!

Jack: Sorry sorry

Jack: I’ll let you get back to your book. Sorry for interrupting you

   I shut my phone off and tossed it across my bed. My room was a navy blue color with a few paintings that my parents brought back from China. Across the room from my bed was a neat and organized wooden desk. On each side of my bed was a small bedside table with a window above them. One of my walls had built in bookshelves that were overflowing with books and other items. My closet was on the left side of my desk, and my bathroom was on the right. My parents and brother were working in Europe for another few months, so I was used to an empty house. It was so quiet and peaceful.

   I jumped as my phone buzzed with another message from Jack.

Jack: I almost forgot

Jack: He wanted me to give you this

Jack: 130-XXX-XXXX

Me: Who wanted to give me that?

Jack: It’s Alex’s phone number

Jack: He wanted me to give you it

Jack: We’re in the same history class last year

Me: Thanks I guess

   As if on cue, my phone vibrated. It was a message from the number Jack sent me.

Alex: Can u help me w/ some calc ?’s

Me: Now? Really?

Alex: Pls? It’s only 2 questions

Me: Fine

Me: What are they?

   Alex sent me a picture of the two problems, and thought for a moment. I quickly explained how to solve the equations, and thankfully Alex understood what I was saying. He thanked me for the help, and stopped sending messages. I put my phone on my nightstand, decided to go to sleep rather than read my book.

   The next morning my alarm woke me up at the normal time of 7:00 AM. There were three cars in the garage. One for my parents, one for my older brother, and the third for me. They didn’t want to be troubled with me not getting to school, so they got me a car. I can’t say I was unhappy with it, but it seemed like a waste of money. They should’ve saved that money for when they’re retired or something.

   I dragged myself to the closet to change into something to wear to school; jeans, a gray T-shirt and a hoodie. I went to the bathroom to brush my teeth and comb my very messy hair. Kids my age liked to comment on my flawless teeth a lot, and the attention I got made me uncomfortable.

   Going downstairs, I looked around the empty, living room, dining room and kitchen. Everything was clean and organized, untouched by anyone. There was a guest bedroom and another bathroom on the first floor. Walking into the kitchen, I started preparing lunch and packing it in a simple blue lunch bag. A sandwich, some cookies, pretzels and an apple. Putting my lunch bag into my backpack, I hurried out into the garage to head to school.

   I usually spent my mornings in a quiet, secluded spot in the library. Once a lot of the rowdy, loud kids arrived, I’d get up and go to my first class. My teachers didn’t care if I sat and read until the beginning of class.

   Just then Alex stepped in the doorway, peeking out into the hallway. He didn’t notice me, so I just stared at his weird actions. He then left, and a few moments later I heard Declan Buckley shout. Sighing in annoyance, I just went back to my book.

   It was too early to pay attention to the idiots in school.