Chapter Text
I wake up in the morning from a dreamless sleep, stretching and sitting up. Well, no axe murderer- all my limbs intact. I’m in one piece, seemingly. I sigh, rubbing my hands over my face. I’m just skittish, it’s been so long since I’ve been in the forest- and I’ve seen plenty of horror movies since then. I guess those things get your imagination running.
I get up, we have another couple of days before school starts for the year, but I’ve got lots of unpacking to do.
Those days pass too quickly for my taste, and before I know it, I’m standing at the entrance of the looming building.
Back to school... at least I’m starting at the same time as everyone else.
My eyes dart between my schedule and the hallway as I clumsily navigate. I… vaguely remember some of the people passing. They now have acne, they’re taller, stronger, curvier.
I feel small here, people aren’t focused on me per say. But what do you do when you see someone you knew in the 5th grade? Hi? Do they even remember me? I remember them, but not well. Is that weird? Again, the rush of thoughts invades me, overwhelms me.
I walk into first period… first class here. In my hometown. Well- first class outside of elementary. I’m not even sure if that counts.
I pick a random desk and hear a burst of laughter behind me, and some vague murmurings about ‘She did what!?’ and that crap.
Ugh. The worst part of high school. The utterly brain-dead people.
The conversations that you overhear and can only think, “What the actual fuck?” This might make me bitter. But the number of conversations I’ve had to listen to about ‘crazy’ parties or where [insert person] lost their virginity, make me not care.
I try to ignore the murmurs of their conversation, looking up at the board... tapping my foot as we wait for the bell to signal the start of class.
My mind quickly wanders to Grey, I honestly didn’t think seeing him again would make me feel this way... I mean, I thought about it, but after 7 years of living in another state with no contact I didn't miss him per say. But seeing him, flesh, bones, and all... felt different. It made something stir inside me.
Though what exactly I don’t know.
...
Weeks pass of us seeing each other in the halls, but we never really talk. He just... makes me anxious I guess. People tend to... just not this bad. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.
I start to slowly settle into Brownsville again, the house isn’t home yet, but, it’s something.
Getting to eat at the diner again... walk on the trail again... all of that has been nice. Refreshing. Quiet save for the now fading buzz of cicadas, wolves howling, or the occasional train passing through.
It’s lonely though, not that I had a plethora of friends back in Pennsylvania.
The warmth starts to fade as the sun to set earlier and earlier in the evenings. The crisp air of autumn is my favorite, the way it stings your nose and ears, leaving them a rosy red. The cold settles in early here, the need for jackets evident by late September.
By now we’ve gotten into the routine of school and lucky me- there's a group project in history.
The entire class collectively groans as our teacher announces he’s assigned partners, and that there will be no in class time to work on this.
We’ve been learning about ancient myths passed down through generations, fables of monsters and mythical creatures. Our teacher explains the project, it’s pretty basic as far as group work goes. The part that really sticks is the ‘work on it outside of school’ thing.
What kind of teacher gives you group project and forces you to go to your randomly assigned partner's house? I’m pretty sure this is how people get murdered.
And I’m assigned to... Grey.
Fuck me.
We look at each other from across the room, he gives a thumbs up and a smile.
As soon as his eye catches mine I’m looking away, cheeks feelings warmer.
“Now that everyone has been assigned partners, I’d like you to meet up and discuss your project. Remember specific topics aren’t assigned but it has to relate to the history of folk tales. Now I recommend you...” The teacher rambles on about the assignment as everyone moves around the room to sit with their partner- exchanging house numbers.
I make no move- so of course Grey makes his way over to me, sitting in the desk next to me.
“Hey man, sorry I haven’t gotten the chance to talk more. This will be great! We can hang out at my house and work together yeah?” He says all cheery-like.
How is this not terrifying to him? It’s terrifying to me.
This is the first time I’ve really gotten a close look at him since school. His hair is up in a messy ponytail, falling out at the sides. Tan, unblemished skin- aside from the dark circles under his eyes. A few faint freckles spatter his cheeks, I remember them being more prominent when we were kids.
“Do you need my house number?” He asks, making me blush as I realize I was probably staring.
I shake my head, immediately listing out the digits, I still know each by heart. He looks a little surprised. “Still sharp as a tack aren’t you, shit?” He chuckles, patting my shoulder.
“Haha yeah I guess you could say that...” I murmur awkwardly.
“So, are you doing anything after school? I know we don’t technically need to start yet but, we should catch up a bit before we do.” He suggests.
That sounds horrible.
“I’m free... but don’t you have like, football practice or something?” I ask, having noted his letterman jacket.
“Yeah, but I can take a day off, coach won’t mind. I gotta make my friends a priority, right?” He says playfully. Does he consider us friends? Or was that a joke?
“Earth to Gage...” He says, eyebrow raised.
“Huh? Sorry- just thinking about... stuff. Uh- yeah, I guess I can come over for a bit...” I respond, being drawn out of my thoughts again.
“Great, who’s your last teacher? I’ll meet you there and we can walk together.” This really just keeps getting worse.
“Er... it’s Smith, in 105. But we really don’t need to do that-” I start before he cuts me off.
“-No- no it’s not trouble. I miss my man, man.” He says.
“You... missed me? Wait- you ‘miss your man, man’?’” I chuckle. “How are we in the same class...?” I tease.
He rubs the back of his neck bashfully. “You know what I meant!” He protests with a laugh, his cheeks flushed.
It makes the butterflies that seem ever-present in my stomach flutter, seeing him blush like that.
Somehow... this... isn’t terrible.