Haru woke the next morning, rising early and quickly getting dressed.

He exited his room, expecting to see Aubrey outside waiting for him, but was disappointed to see that he was not there.

Haru glanced one way down the corridor, then the other, but he did not see him.

Around him the other students were one by one leaving their rooms, walking away to head to their first classes.

Hoisting his bag up his shoulder, Haru made his way forwards with the others, leaving the building and heading outside.

Haru attended his first class. The boarding school Haru attended had several classes, there were the standard English, Maths and Science, and there were also other classes like History, Languages, IT (computers), Geography. Haru struggled in these subjects and didn’t enjoy any of them. Worst of all was P.E. He enjoyed sports, but enjoyed it at his leisure. In school, he found it difficult and challenging. He didn’t know anyone in his class, and people mostly ignored him. He had tried to speak to some of them and make friends, but people had already formed their groups and they weren’t interested in him. Aubrey was the only one who had accepted him.

Aubrey… Haru thought to himself. I really miss you…I miss all of you…Amelia and Sasha and Ben…. He hung his head, staring at the books before him as he worked silently. I really look forward to seeing their show…I wonder what they’re doing now….?

Haru became quickly lost in thought. He didn’t enjoy his lessons in school, and though he had only seen a glimpse of the play Aubrey and his friends were about to perform, he was exited.

I’ve never been in a play before  Haru thought to himself. It’s going to be fun…and a little scary.

Much of the time, Haru’s mind was far away from his studies. He performed at best only average in class and was awkward around people. But he had a creative mind. He struggled most in Maths and Science, but in other fields, he excelled.

Haru had a deep love of music, and art. He did not get an opportunity to indulge in such things while he was here, and that was part of the reason he felt sad, and at times a little lost.

He had only been at the school for a short time, and already he was beginning to stand out for all the wrong reasons. He was shy, introverted, and people began to notice. It wasn’t long before certain people began to stare at him, deliberately trying to intimidate him and make him feel uncomfortable. While most ignored him, others began to tease him.

Oh no, they’re here as well? Haru thought glumly to himself as a couple of the boys a short distance away continued to stare at him. I guess they’re everywhere. Haru bowed his head, keeping his attention fixed on his work.

The rest of that day went by as usual, and Haru kept an eye out for Aubrey and his friends, but he did not see them. He sat alone at lunchtime simply watching the scene around him, then when classes were over, he went straight to his dormitory, glancing about him as he went in case Aubrey was around, but he wasn’t.

Haru went to his dormitory, closing the door after him and turning to face the small room. It was empty, his roommate had still not arrived.

Haru put his bag down on the floor beside his bed, moving over towards the window and leaning forwards on the sill, staring.

The grounds were beautiful, with the setting sun off in the distance casting is orange glow upon the land, everything was lit with a gold lining.

Haru let out a sigh, tilting his head as he smiled.

Despite his difficulties, his fears and the constant feeling of anxiety he felt when he was here, he felt a strange sensation of joy.

He blinked slowly, staring with eyes out of focus at all that was before him, through the window to the big wide world beyond.

‘What a beautiful world we live in….’

Several days passed in which he did not see Aubrey or any of the others, and things began to get difficult for him.

On the way to one of his lessons, one of the boys waved to him, but his smile was not a friendly one.

‘Hey rich kid!’

‘Hu?’ Haru baulked.

‘Yeah I’m talking to you’ the boy said as he walked past him with his friends.

They all smirked at him as they went on, turning away and sniggering amongst themselves.

Haru watched them cautiously with wide eyes as they went away.

He swallowed the lump in his throat, hands going to his chest as he began to clutch at his heart.

He bowed his head, gritting his teeth, forcing himself to stay calm as anxiety threatened to overwhelm him.

Keep calm keep calm. He often followed this mantra on his worse days. As he straightened up again, arms dropping to his sides, his left hand twitched, and he felt a great need suddenly.

He let out a breath, turning his head to the side and pushing the thought away.

He begun to feel lost again.

Haru raised his head, straightening his body and staring down the corridor.