It was the first day of school, and Darwin was already hella nervous.
He missed summer already.
He wasn't ready for high school yet. His palms were sweating, and he could already feel the weight of the year ahead. Just one more year, and he'd be out of this hellhole.
He dragged his feet, but he didn't want to be late on the first day. The tall, brown-and-cream building of Mark High loomed over him, its intimidating structure reminding him of all the horrors he'd face inside.
Still, he listened to a documentary about husky puppies. It helped calm him down.
As he walked through the crowded hallways, he felt the walls closing in. This was what anxiety felt like. But he kept moving, hoping to get to his locker quickly without running into anyone.
Then it happened.
Someone bumped into him. Before he could process it, she was already past him. His back hit the floor, and his books scattered across the hallway. He cursed under his breath, irritated at how his day had started.
He sighed, noticing the tear in the strap of his bag. Great. Just great.
He bent down to pick up the books, but as he reached for the last one, heavy black boots with thick laces stepped onto it.
His gaze traveled up a long, dangerous length of leg, past a skirt that could only be described as an abomination, to a rock crop white shirt adorned with chains hanging from her neck and wrist.
Her raven-black hair cascaded down her back, and thick lashes coated her eyes with mascara that made her look like she could rip apart anyone in her path.
She popped a bubblegum bubble, her voice dripping with boredom.
"Hi?"