Back to Black

Today marks 7 weeks since the crash and 4 since I was out into my aunt's care. Its going to be my first day of school in a new place, I miss my friends.

I'm getting dressed for school, I put on a light blue hoodie, some dark wash jeans, and a pair of black combat boots.

I look at myself in the mirror as I brush my teeth. I have a small scar across my right eye and one just above my right eyebrow. I have a little of baby fat still left on my face and a few more freckles than I had before the crash. My hair has grown a bit, so it sits in a curly brown mess just above my shoulders. I guess I look ok.

"Elijah!! It's time to go, let's go!!" I hear my aunt yell from the bottom of the stairs.

"Coming!!" I run down the stairs and out the door to the car.

The ride to school was filled with awkward silence. When we got to the school, my aunt pulled into the drop off lane.

"You're going to be fine. You're a smart kid and if you have any problems, you know how to call me."

"Yeah I know, I will. Love you and thank you." I smile and get out of the car.

"Hey!"

I turn around and see a girl standing next to the curb. She has blonde hair that is put into space buns, a pair of glasses with rainbow lenses, a pink skirt with a white crop top.

"Are you the new kid?"

"Uh yeah. I'm Elijah."

"Cool! I'm Hayden."

"It's nice to meet you."

"Do you want me to show you around school? It's a big campus."

"Sure. Thank you."

"No problem! Come on."

I follow Hayden around the campus, and she shows me where everything is. She talks the entire time, but I don't mind.

"And lastly is the cafeteria. You have to get your own lunch, though."

"That's fine. Hey can I ask you a question?"

"Yeah, of course."

"Where is the office? I have to get a schedule."

"Oh right! Follow me."

Hayden walks with me to the office. I open the door and walk up to the front desk.

"How can I help you, young man?" The women at the desk smiles at me.

"My name is Elijah. I'm new. I'm supposed to get my schedule."

"Oh yes, Elijah." She turns around and grabs a piece of paper. "Here you go. Let me know if you have questions or problems."

"Thank you." I turn to leave and see Hayden waiting by the door. 

"Let me see your schedule. Maybe we have the same lunch or homeroom."

I hand her the schedule and she looks at it.

"We have homeroom together! It's on the other side of the campus so we better start walking."

"Ok, cool."

Hayden and I walk through the halls to our homeroom. We sit in the back row of the classroom and chat while we wait for the bell.

The bell rings, and everyone takes their seats. A man walks in and stands at the front of the room.

"Hello everyone. My name is Mr. Williams and welcome back. We have a new student joining us this year. His name is Elijah. Elijah, do you want to tell us a bit about yourself?"

I glare at him. I hate talking in front of people.

"Come on Elijah. Stand up and introduce yourself."

I stand up slowly and clear my throat.

"Hi. My name is Elijah. I moved here a few weeks ago and I really like music." I sit down and sigh.

"Thank you, Elijah."

Mr. Williams starts going on about stuff that happened over the summer. Hayden whispers to me.

"I didn't know you liked music."

"I play piano and guitar."

"You'll have to show me sometime."

"Maybe."

After what seemed like forever, the bell rings for first period.

"What's your first class?"

"Ummm" I pull my schedule out of my bag and look at it. "Math"

"Yay! Me too. Let's go."

We walk to our class and take a seat. After a few minutes, the bell rings and class starts.

"Ok class, please pull out your textbooks and turn to page 37. We're starting with chapter 5."

I pull my book out of my bag and start reading the chapter.

I can feel a pair of eyes on me. I look up and around the room and see a guy looking at me. He has short brown hair and green eyes. He's wearing a grey hoodie, black pants, and black sneakers.

I look back at the front of the room. Why is he staring at me? I look back at him and he's still staring. I look back at my book and then I feel a tap on my shoulder. I look up and see him standing next to my desk.

"Can I help you?" I say as I glare at him.

"Are you the new kid?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"I'm just wondering. I'm Jack."

"Elijah"

"That's a cool name."

"Thanks."

The teacher tells him to sit down before he starts his lesson. He goes through the lesson and then sends us to work on a worksheet.

Jack looks over at me.

"What page are we on?"

"Page 37. The fourth question."

"Thank you."

We do our work in silence until the bell rings.

"I'll see you around Elijah." Jack picks up his things and leaves the room.

I look over at Hayden.

"Who was that?" She asks.

"His name is Jack."

"Do you know him?"

"No. I don't think so."

"Why was he talking to you?"

"I don't know. Maybe he was just being nice."

"I guess."

We walk to our next classes and hang out during lunch. We have the rest of our classes together so we walk to them and sit next to each other.

The end of the day bell finally rings. I pack my bag and walk out of the classroom. I walk down the stairs and see Jack waiting by the bottom.

"Hey Elijah. Do you want to walk home with me?"

"I would, but my aunt is on her way to pick me up."

"Oh that's ok."

"See you tomorrow Jack."

"Yeah, see you tomorrow Elijah."

I walk outside and see my aunt's car in the parking lot. I get in the car and we drive home.

When we get home I go straight to my room. I throw my bag on my bed and change into some sweatpants. I lay down in bed and grab my laptop. I play some music and fall asleep.

I wake up to my phone ringing. I look at the time, 10:25.

I answer the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey Elijah. It's Hayden."

"Hi Hayden."

"Are you busy? You sound tired."

"I was taking a nap. What's up?"

"Nothing. I just wanted to talk to you. Are you doing anything tomorrow after school?"

"No, not that I know of. Why?"

"We should hang out!"

"Sure, that sounds fun."

"Great! I'll pick you up after school."

"Ok, see you then."

"Bye Elijah."

I hang up the phone. I put it back on the nightstand and roll over to go back to sleep.

I wake up to the sun shining through my window. I check my phone and it's 7:50. I get out of bed and get dressed for school. I put on a grey long sleeve shirt, black jeans, and a pair of converse.

I brush my hair and head downstairs to grab a piece of toast.

"Good morning Elijah." My aunt says as she walks into the kitchen.

"Morning."

"How was school yesterday?"

"It was good. I made a new friend."

"That's great!"

"Yeah, her name is Hayden."

"Is she nice?"

"Yeah, she's really nice."

"I'm happy that you're making friends again."

"Thanks."

My aunt pours herself a cup of coffee and makes herself some toast.

"So what are your plans today?"

"I don't know yet. Hayden asked if I wanted to hang out with her. She's going to pick me up from school."

"You should tell her she can come over here after you guys hang out."

"Yeah I will."

"What time does school get out?"

"3:00"

"Ok, let me know when she's on her way."

"Ok, I will. I have to go. I'll see you later."

"Have a good day Elijah. I love you."

"Love you too."

I grab my backpack and head out the door. I walk to school and get there a few minutes before the bell. I head to homeroom and take a seat next to Hayden.

"Good morning."

"Morning."

"Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah I did. How about you?"

"I slept great. I had the best dream ever."

"Oh really? What was the dream about?"

"Well, I was at the mall. And I was hanging out with the members of Black Veil Brides and Andy was my boyfriend."

"Who?"

"Black Veil Brides are a rock band and Andy is their lead singer."

"Oh ok."

The bell rings and class starts. Hayden and I talk to each other until the end of class. The bell rings and we walk to our next class.

After what seems like forever we get to lunch. We sit down and start talking.

"Hey Elijah?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you think Jack is cute?"

"I guess so."

"You guess so?"

"Yeah."

"He was staring at you during math class."

"Yeah he did. I don't know why."

"Maybe he likes you."

"I don't think he does."

"I think he does."

"He's probably just being nice."

"I don't know, he looked at you the whole time we were in class."

"What are you getting at Hayden?"

"You should ask him out."

"No way."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't even know him."

"You could get to know him."

"Maybe."

"I think you should do it."

"I'll think about it."

"Yay!"

The bell rings and we head to our next class.

I sit in class and try to pay attention but I can't stop thinking about what Hayden said.

Maybe he does like me. No. There is no way. He's just being nice. Right?

The bell rings and I head to my last class. I take a seat next to Hayden and wait for the class to start.

"What are you doing after school?"

"I'm not sure. My aunt said she wanted me to invite you over. Are you free?"

"Yeah I am!"

"Cool, I'll tell her."

The bell rings and class starts. I can't focus. I look over at Hayden and she's taking notes.

I feel a piece of paper hit my arm. I look over at Hayden.

She whispers "you good?"

"Yeah, I'm good. Thanks."

"No problem."

The class goes by fast and before I know it the bell rings and school is out.

Hayden and I walk outside to the parking lot and see Jack waiting by the curb.

"Hi Jack. Are you waiting for someone?" I ask.

"No, I was waiting for you."

"Why?"

"I was wondering if you wanted to walk home together."

"I actually have plans. Sorry."

"Oh that's ok."

"Elijah! Let's go!" I turn around and see Hayden waiting at her car.

"I gotta go. See you tomorrow Jack."

"Yeah, see you tomorrow Elijah."

I get in Hayden's car and she drives us to my house. She parks in front of the house and we get out. We walk inside and my aunt walks up to us.

"Hi Elijah. How was school?"

"It was good. This is my friend Hayden."

"Hi Hayden. I'm Elena, Elijah's aunt."

"It's nice to meet you."

"You too. So how did you two meet?"

"We have homeroom and some of our classes together."

"Oh that's great!"

"Yeah, we just became friends yesterday."

"Well, I'm happy you guys are getting along."

"Me too."

"Are you hungry?"

"We're good."

"Ok. Let me know if you change your mind."

"Thank you."

"I'll be in my room." I say as I grab Hayden's arm and drag her upstairs.

We go to my room and I close the door.

"You have a nice house."

"Thank you. I don't really like it though."

"Why?"

"I miss my old house. I miss my friends."

"I'm sorry."

"It's ok. I'll be ok."

"I'm here if you need anything."

"Thank you Hayden. I'm lucky to have you."

"Awww Elijah. That's so sweet!"

We laugh and start talking about music. Hayden tells me all about Black Veil Brides and I tell her about my favorite bands.

We talk for a while and then Hayden's phone starts to ring.

"It's my mom. I have to go. See you tomorrow Elijah."

"Ok. Bye Hayden."

I watch her drive away and then go back inside. I walk into the living room and my aunt is sitting on the couch watching tv.

"Did Hayden leave?"

"Yeah, her mom called her."

"Do you want to watch a movie with me?"

"Sure." I sit down next to her and we watch the movie. I've never felt so loved.