If you were an ocean I'd learn to float

        I didn�t feel much better the next day, but it didn�t stop me from faking my way through first and second period. Avoiding the library during my free period, I found Andy sitting on the steps with the rest of the very small group of rich and popular. It would be a lie if I said I didn�t belong there. In everyone else�s eyes it was probably the best place for me. I certainly fit the part. But I didn�t really like anyone except Andy, and I didn�t like the way they acted or what they did or really anything about them. That really put a damper on the whole thing. �Hey James. You feeling better?� Andy asked, sliding out of Brayden�s lap. He didn�t roll his eyes anymore. He knew where he stood. Caleb, Me, Him. We were the important men in her life (her dad sort of floated in ranking.) I smiled that wonderful fake smile. �A bit.� I lied. She smiled. Her eyes told me the truth. She knew. I sat down beside her on the top step. �Anyways, as I was saying-� McKayla said with an eye roll. I hated her. I didn�t care for some people. I even didn�t like a couple. She was the only person I truly hated. She glared at me, tucking a highlighted wave behind her right ear. I wasn�t listening to her at all. I was simply glaring right back. �James, man. Ms. Glad called your name in calc yesterday- where were you?� Brayden asked. He had interrupted McKayla, cutting off her thoughtless rant. I decided I liked him that day. �Lying on the grass in the courtyard.� I shrugged. He nodded as if he understood. �You goin� today?� He looked and sounded almost hopeful. I had no idea why. �Yeah.� He seemed relieved. I pondered that for a moment before turning back to Andy. �I gotta go to photography now. See you at lunch.� She smiled up at me. I waved as I walked away.
        Kris was in my photography class. We sat next to each other like we always did when we had classes together. Mr. Ford sat a small, terrified looking freshman next to us. He was timid. I thought we probably scared the s**t out of him. �I�m Kris.� Kris grinned. He was always so happy. �James.� I nodded. The kid blushed, swallowed hard, and sighed. �Stephen.� He said quietly. �So Stephen� �Kris was thinking hard of something to say. �I like your hair.� I broke the thickening silence between us all. He blushed even redder. It was cute. And I really did like his hair. Black with bright orange highlights. It was nice. The orange seemed to set off his eyes. Light grey blue. �Thanks.� He smiled. He was cute. I smiled back. �Doesn�t anyone like my hair?� Kris asked in typical Kris fashion. Loudly and with little thought. I smiled again. �Yes Kris. I like your hair.� I chuckled a bit. Stephen grinned. �I do too. The red is really cool. And your ears! That�s awesome!� I looked at Kris� gauges. Double 0�s. They were solid clear pegs with little spades on them. Very Kris. �Thanks. What are yours?� Kris asked. The conversation was in swing. �Only 10�s.� He replied. �They�re cute!� Kris laughed. I shook my head. I smiled.
        �So, do you have a girlfriend?� Kris asked curiously. Stephen blushed. I knew why. �Uh� no�� He looked at the table. He was obviously feeling awkward now. I decided to help him out. �Do you have a boyfriend?� I asked, eyebrow quirked. His blush grew deeper. �No�� I smiled. �Me either.� Kris seemed un-phased. �Really?� Stephen asked timidly, his disbelief was obvious. �Nope! He�s as free as me!� Kris laughed. I rolled my eyes. �Kris, you don�t have a girlfriend because you�re addicted to Andy. If you could ever just get over her and move on from your imaginary relationship you wouldn�t be free�� He looked lost. I smiled. �Andy McKinzie?� Stephen asked. �Yeah, you know her?� I asked interest up a little. �Yeah. Caleb is one of my closest friends. He�s really ticked that Nathan and I are a year ahead.� Stephen smiled. I thought of Caleb alone. It was impossible. He was such a likeable kid. He must have still had loads of friends at the middle school. �Yeah, that must suck. Oh well, he�s resilient!� Kris laughed. He didn�t know Andy well, but I had hung out with Caleb a few times. The three of us played video games. The kid was unbelievable. He beat us every time, in every game, on every gaming system. I smiled at the memories. I had forgotten I could have happy memories.
        At lunch, I sat at my usual table. I waved at Andy. She raised an eyebrow, but I gestured to the table. Nodding, she smiled and returned to her pizza. Taking my seat between Kris and Greg, I pulled out my wallet. I wasn�t hungry. I set it down on the table next to my book bag. Kris was scarfing down a tuna fish sandwich, and Greg was picking lazily at his pasta salad. �Long time no see.� He muttered, not looking away from his noodles. �Been a long summer.� I said quietly. He nodded. I scanned over his neon green streaks. I smiled. He reminded me of Stephen. I thought they would be cute together. I didn�t know if Greg was straight or not. He had never really dated anyone, and we had never talked about it either. I was thinking about it when I noticed a timid looking figure in front of me. �Hey Stephen!� Kris grinned. I barely looked up. �Hey. Un. Do you mind if we sit here?� I was vaguely aware there was someone beside him. �Nope, have a seat!� Kris was still smiling. He was always smiling. �This is Nathan. Nate, this is Kris, and that�s James.� I lifted my hand in a wave that was quarter hearted at best. �That�s Greg.� Kris laughed, introducing him to the freshman. �Hey.� Greg�s voice was a little more enthusiastic than usual. That meant he had showed the slightest amount of interest. I smiled. They would be cute together. �So- Nathan or Nate?� Kris asked, talking to the kid across from him. �Either one is fine. It doesn�t matter to me.� Something about that voice drew me up to look. Once I did, I couldn�t take my eyes off him.

Author's Note

Ignore the grammar and the wonderful tendency to change subjects...please.