Chapter 21

“James. James. Wake up James.” James heard, as he woke up. He saw Michael looking at him, who smiled. “You’re finally awake. It’s five past nine. I didn’t want to have to wake you up, but Janet’s probably going to wonder where we are.” Said Michael, as he walked into the bathroom.

James walked up behind Michael, who was doing his hair in the mirror. James snuck up and put his arms around Michael, who let out a little yelp in surprise, before he started laughing. “Morning.” Greeted James, giggling back and kissing Michael’s head.

They had breakfast and headed out. They learnt that day that the papers had come through and Janet and Josh were their legal foster parents, and this meant they could start applying for schools sixth forms they could join. The year was over now, so they would have to start next September, which meant they would probably have a bunch of stuff to catch up on. They had asked for letters from the boys’ previous school, to make sure they were good students, which they luckily were. Except if Michael’s maths teacher was writing it, because he hated Michael. Probably because Michael spent every lesson playing chess or sleeping.

Nothing happened the rest of the day. And in fact, for the whole next month. They settled into a family routine again; making sure to help at the centre every day. They slowly made it feel more homely, with different stuff to fill the room and give it character. They added a few photos to the frames, but left some empty for the future, where they hoped even better memories would fill in the places. They went into Birmingham a few days, to see the city or to have a meal. They visited Josh’s sister, and her family, and realised they were kind of the uncles of her 20-year-old granddaughter. Everybody was very welcoming of them. They went for interviews at different schools, and visits to see, which ones they liked. They got letters and chose the school they both agreed looked the best. It was a mixed school, with good facilities and good grades.

Before they had to go back to school, they first had to buy everything they needed for school, because they had had to leave everything behind when they ran away. They each got a laptop and backpacks with everything they needed, and all that was left for them to buy were uniform. They spent hours in the shop, trying on different uniforms and P.E. kits. And they came out and were ready for what to return to school.

Eventually, the first day of school came around. They woke up early and got ready. They could walk to school in fifteen minutes, so they set off at eight-fifteen. Which would give them five minutes once they arrived. The walk was along the road and unpleasant, but the walking reminded James of their journey, which was nice.

Throughout the school day they didn’t talk to anyone, much. They sat together at lunch, and noticed some people looking at them, but nobody walked up to them. They went to meet some people during the day and were told they had to catch up the work they missed last year. They didn’t seem to make an exception for the two of them, which they liked. They didn’t want to have any more unnecessary attention. And that was all that happened on their first day back.

The second day was much more eventful. James met up with Michael after morning break, in the common room, but it was very busy. And James decided to go somewhere quieter.

They found themselves in an empty classroom, which James assured Michael nobody was using. They asked each other the usual, how’s your day going? And then they talked about things they’d noticed at the school. They kissed, and whilst they were doing so. A girl walked into the room. James immediately pulled away.

“Oh sorry.” She exclaimed, and stopped walking, retreating into the corridor. “I didn’t mean to interrupt you.” She sounded a mix of nervous and apologetic. “I just came because I keep my stuff in here. I don’t like being around the lockers.”

James walked over to her, and she came forward, he invited her to sit. “Why?” He asked.

“The boys around there. They’re a bit … you know” She replied, a bit confused about the situation she found herself in.

“I do know. I never like being around those people, but I still fell in love with one. He is different to be fair to him.” James laughed. “I’m James, and this is Michael, pleasure to meet you.” Michael gave a little wave.

“I’m Sara.” She responded, easing. “I’ve not seen you round here before, but I’m pretty sure Michael’s in my English class. Are you new?”

Michael spoke this time. “We’re new. |Funny story about that. Basically, all four of our parents never accepted us. So we travelled from Derby to here, then lived in a shelter for a month, then we got fostered by the owners of that shelter, now we’re here.”

“Wow.” Exclaimed Sara. “That is quite the story. Want to catch up at lunch, because lessons start soon?”

“Sorry we’ve got ‘catch-up classes’ every month, because we missed a bunch of lessons, after we ran away.” Replied James.

“What about after school today or tomorrow?” She asked.

“Let’s do tomorrow, because someone’s going to football training today, and is never going to stop making his boyfriend worry.” James responded. “Another time he dangled himself over the edge of the roof to clean the gutter. Good thing a thirty-year old carabiner held up.”

Sara laughed. “You two are so cute together. Anyway, bye and here’s my number.” She scribbled her number down on a scrap of paper from her book and gave it to James. She left and James and Michael waved goodbye before heading off to Geography together.

The catch-up class at lunch went well, and Michael’s training went well after-school. James stayed late in the library, so they could walk home together, holding hands.