'When you go through the hardship of loss, you often are blind to how it may change you.'

I swear this physical exam is going to kill me. It may only be a half a mile run but it's still exhausting and hard. Not to mention all the people currently staring at me. It makes me uncomfortable.

After I finish I decided to go to the water fountain (stay hydrated kids). And guess who just so happened to be there, Aiden. Of course, I started to be awkward and weird so I tried to slow my breathing just a little. Just to add a small cherry on top, we literally say nothing to each other. He must hate me, I mean I am kinda weird.

Once we both finish getting water, we go our separate ways.

I was told by the coach to find something to do. My two options were a sport or walking and well let's just say that I prefer walking. There is about an hour and 13 minutes before we go back in. The more I think about it the more I question if playing volleyball with Aiden would have been a good way to get to know each other.

I soon realize that a person is approaching me. He doesn't take long to catch up to me. "Hi! My names Carter. Your Nathaniel right?"

I hesitate just a little.

"N-Nate if you don't mind."

Carter nodded with a small smile. "Noted. Mind if I walk with you?"

I shake my head no in response.

There were a few moments of just walking, nothing said, just walking. Then Carter started to speak. "So, why did you miss the first two weeks of school?"

"O-oh, well I got sick and had to stay out. That's all."

"Ah well glad your better now. So, anything you interested in?"

"Oh well I was a little interested in theater but I'm not sure if I'll have time." Carter gasped after I finished my sentence.

"We would love to have you! Well, that's if you can." He smiled brightly.

"Yeah, of course."

Carter and I spent the rest of the class just talking. Turns out, Carter does theater and a thing called DnD. I don't know a whole lot about either of those but Carter has told me a lot about both of them. I guess I have a new friend. He did ask for my number though, but by now mine is most likely shut off.

After I finished getting dressed back inside. I saw that Aiden was waiting for me by the door. "Where do you want to eat lunch?" He asked when I came up to him.

"Oh um I don't know where we can eat."

"Well, a friend and I normally meet in the library, they also have coffee in the library's cafe, so how about we go there?"

"Sounds great."

The library was peaceful and it was actually quite pleasant. Though it did take Aiden a few minutes to come back but he came back with coffee in hand. He bought me a coffee. How sweet!

"So you are friends with Carter now?"

"Yep!" I nod happily.

"Well, it's good to know you have more than one friend in that class." Aiden gave a small wave towards the door as he spoke to me. A few seconds later, a kid comes over to our table in the cafe and set his stuff down.

"Good afternoon Aiden. Who's the shorty?"

I whisper under my breath. "I'm not that short."

"This is Nate. Nate this is James." Aiden introduced us to each other. Then continues.

"He was the guy I was talking about earlier."

Oh, now I understand.

We talk through lunch then go to our last class of the day, language arts or English, whatever you wanna call it. Sadly Aiden and James have mythology instead, so I'm going to be alone in this class.

I came in and sat towards to front. Why the front you may ask, well I really enjoy literature so the closer up I am, the better.

Kids slowly poured into class and then there was Carter. Yes! I have someone to talk to in this class! Carter, you are a lifesaver!

He made his way to the seat right next to me. "Hey, Nate! Isn't great we have two classes together!"

I nod happily.

Throughout the lecture, Carter caught me up on what I've missed and still was able to know what was currently happening. It was quite amazing, to be honest.

Now it's about 2:35 and the bell will ring in 10 minutes, so the teacher let us talk for the rest of the period.

"There's a theater meeting today maybe you could drop by..?"

"Sorry Carter, I have a friend driving me home today."

"Oh well, how about you meet me at the theater room tomorrow morning?" Carter said, determined to introduce me to the theater.

"Sure. I'll see what I can do."

Carter and I get along pretty well. It's quite nice to have some more friends around. It's less... lonely. That's how I'm putting it, lonely.

The 10 minutes pass and I go to where Lottie is having me meet her.

Today was so different. It may have started badly, but now I'm kinda happy. I have Carter, Lottie, and Aiden now. Then again I may be homeless but we aren't going to dwell on that. All I want is to focus on the fact that for the first time in a while, I'm not worried about having more wounds or fights. Right now, I'm just thinking of how I'm going to go to the theater room tomorrow morning and then get to eat lunch with James and Aiden, then hang out with Carter in language arts while working on a mini vocabulary project. I just can't wait!