Drowning

“Matthew White?”

“Here!” Some boy tries to mimic my voice and fails, letting out more of a squeek. Honestly not that far off.

“Is your name Matthew?” The teacher replies with such a snobish intent that, while I admire, would never dream of recreating.

“Here.” I say quickly in an attempt to descalate the fast rising situation. Can’t be labeling myself as anything on the first day of junior year.

“Thanks Matthew” Mrs. Janes says to me before moving on with attendace.

Mrs. Janes has been my math teacher for 2 years, after I requested her again for this year. She has always been my favorite, and though I’m not the greatest at math, she still seems to understand me.

It’s the drive back home that really makes the thought of coming back here every day for the next ten months fully set in.

Sophomore year was fully mediocre; not too eventful, maybe a few parties scattered here and there. Freshman year was even worse, not a single party, not a single dance, not a single girlfriend.

Based on the pattens, maybe I’ll get an actual girlfriend, go to actual parties, and hopefully have my first kiss. I know. Embarrassing. A 16 year old boy who hasnt had his first kiss.

My hands clench the wheel as I remember my almost first kiss with Wendy, the most popular girl in the grade. She was a bitch. She knew it, I knew it, everyone knew it. When she asked me to follow her behind the wall at recess, I knew somthing was up.

I mean, I wasn’t blind. I could look in a mirror. I knew that the smattering of acne and long oily hair was the least attractive thing at the school, but some small glimmer of hope that someone actually liked me far overpowered the possibility of it being a joke.

When she asked me to kiss her I leaned in hesitantly. The only though racing through my mind was get out of there. I didnt listen to my self, of course. Before my lips had touched hers, a group of 6 boys jumped out from behind the corner we had just walked behind. They beat me to pulp while girls stood around me and called me a pervert.

I finished that year homeschooled.

I pull up to the front gate and press the button, praying the the security guard didn’t fall asleep again. A buzzing sound goes off and the large iron gates open slowly, permitting me through to my house.

Pulling into the garage, I notice the absence of both my mother and fathers cars. The tension in my body releases at the knowledge that I wont have to deal with them.

Walking inside with my backpack slung over my shoulder, I pull out my phone to call Jenna.

She picks up on the second ring and tells me to hold on. After a minute of russling around she says my name.

“Hey Jen.” I respond, placing my backpack on the floor in the foyer. I here a muffled response that can’t quite make out.

“Parents arent home if you want to come over, I’ll let alfred know your coming.” Alfred, my butler, walks in at the same moment I say his name. I swear that guy has every room in this placed marked.

“Of couse.” He remarks. “The door is always open for you Jenna.”

“Awww, thanks Alfred. Listen, I would love to come over, but Cady is here right now, and we were about to watch a movie.” So that explains the russling. I roll my eyes with a smile.

“Alright fine. Just know I have movies too.” I attempt guilt tripping, which usually works on her.

“Ugh, hold on one sec Matthew.” I here some murmers coming from her end as I make my way to the kitchen for some cereal.

A few moments later her voice comes back on.

“Cady says she’ll come as long as we can swim.” I groan but agree and tell her I’ll see her soon.