There was an air of panic and insecurity in the corridors of Primrose High. The first year students paraded in fear amidst the stares of those older than them. They looked at the map of the institute looking for their classroom, praying not to end up in the wrong one.

Wade didn't envy them one bit. He looked at them happy that those days were now just a distant memory for him.

It was his last year and he didn't have to worry about finding his way or making friends. However, he had arrived very early anyway, because he wanted to get the best seats in the classroom, for him and his best friend Gavin.

He walked through the corridors, at a brisk pace, making space between students, old and new, and finally arrived, perfectly early. From the open door, he could see the still empty desks. He crossed the threshold with a triumphant smile on his face that soon disappeared. The classroom wasn't completely empty, it was almost empty. Someone had beaten him to it. He slept blissfully on the desk, with his face buried in his backpack, which served as his pillow.

It wasn't a problem for Wade, there were other free seats he could fill. So he simply ignored the boy's presence and sat down. Since there was still a long time left until the start of class, Wade took his notebook and started doing what he loved to do most: writing. He felt inspired until the sleepyhead's cell phone started ringing, stopping his creative flow. Wade snorted. He stood up impatiently and approached the sleeping beauty on the desk.

«Hey!» he said as he tapped his shoulder with his fingers.

The boy jumped up. He grabbed his phone and – after a quick glance at the screen – also took his backpack, before disappearing towards the door. «Shit.», was all Wade heard him say as he disappeared through the doorway.

Wade returned to his seat, not at all surprised by that rudeness. He was neither the first nor the last student to behave like this. It happened all the time in that high school.

He continued writing until the classroom began to fill up.

His friend Gavin noticed him immediately. It wasn't difficult since he now knew well which seats Wade preferred. He made room between the desks to reach him. «Morning.» he said, taking a seat next to him.

Wade returned the greeting but they had no chance to talk, their teacher entered just at that moment, asking the classroom to be quiet. They had to wait for the lunch break to tell each other about the summer holidays.

«You would have loved the camp, Wade.» Gavin said, after swallowing a bite of meat. «In the pools there were huge slides. And then in the evening, there were musical shows. You love music, you absolutely have to come next year.»

«Next year we will be inundated with university exams, nothing but slides and swimming pools.» Wade pointed out.

Gavin shook his head in disappointment. «Is fun included somewhere in your schedule, or do you live for boredom?»

«I know how toh ave fun– », Wade stopped distracted by his friend.

«Kyle!», Gavin had started waving his hand.

Wade turned. Among the crowd of students gorging themselves, he saw a familiar figure. That brown hair reminded him of something. Like a flash, he remembered the boy dozing on the desk. He also recognized the backpack. It was yellow covered with a lot of writing, incomprehensible to him but not easy to forget.

He wasn't alone, next to him there were two other boys who Gavin invited to sit at their table.

That Kyle sat down next to Gavin and held out his hand towards Wade to introduce himself. Given the speed with which he had fled the classroom, he certainly didn't remember him. «Hi, I’m Kyle.» he said. «They are Bryan and Richard.» he added, pointing to his two friends.

Wade followed the normal practice and shook his hand. «Wade.» he said without another word, then went back to eating.

«I met them at camp. They are very good musicians.» Gavin said, however without arousing any interest from Wade, who still kept his eyes focused on the tray.

«We still have a lot to improve.» Kyle objected, giving a nervous laugh.

Wade looked up, surprised by the modesty. Perhaps he had been too hasty in judging him from just one encounter. Maybe his first impression of him wasn't right.

As he ate, from time to time, Wade couldn't help but look in his direction. He seemed like a kind person.

After all, he could give him a second chance.