CHAPTER~TWO
BEFORE

Hayden Levitz

"Woah woah woah. Do you see this line?" Hayden creates a curvy line in the dirt that they are both standing on. "You just crossed it when you touched my earbuds. You crossed the line so fast that now the line is a dot to you!"

"Okay, chill out and get on the bus, Tribbiani." Mila motions towards the large yellow bus waiting with the door open. She raises her eyebrows as if asking if they were done arguing so they can get on.

He rolls his eyes and walks onto the bus where the driver is waiting impatiently. "Sorry." Hayden mumbles as he walks past.

His eyes scan the seats for any familiar faces but there aren't any so he chooses an empty one and sets his backpack in it. When he is comfortable in the dark brown seat, he adjusts the earbuds in his ear and presses play.

Riding the bus isn't a daily thing for Hayden. About a year ago, he bought a used 2015 Volkswagen Jetta after working all summer and school year to pay for it. Right now, that car is in the shop for some minor fixes so he needs to ride the bus for a week.

The phone in his hand vibrates so he glances down and sees a text:

Bexley:
Where the fuck are you Levitz?!

Uh oh. Hayden, being the friend he is, always gives a ride to his best friend Bex. Ever since he got his license, he's been there at 7:30am sharp every morning...except today.

Hayden:
I'm so so sorry. Forgot to tell you, my car is in the shop. I'm on the bus right now.

Bexley:
Curse you! Now I have to ask my parents or else I'll be late. Anxiety flare, here I come...

She knows just how to make Hayden feel guilty, even if it isn't his fault the car is in the shop. He brings the phone up to his face and takes a deep breath before responding:

Hayden:
I'll see you at school. You can tell me about it then:(

____________________

As he's taking the last step down from the bus, Hayden takes the earbuds out of his ears and looks back at the bus driver.

"Thank you!" He waves goodbye at the man he sees rarely.

"No problem, Kid." The bus driver has a teal hat on and he tips it at him.

Hayden smiles and starts walking down the sidewalk to the large grey brick building on his right. A wind gust sweeps over him so he tightens the jacket he has on and quickens his pace.

"Oh my god!" The door to a car slams shut and Bexley comes running up to Hayden. She intertwines her arm into his and begins to ramble. "You are such a dick. I had to sit in the car with my mom and dad for twenty minutes. That's far too long for my liking!" He smiles as he notices that she's skipping. "Don't ever do that again or I'll castrate you! No babies for you."

He turns his head to her. "You won't," Hayden challenges.

"Oh, you just wait. Do it again and you'll see." Bex looks forward with no hint at a joke and Hayden nudges her. They both laugh as they turn right into the path of the school.

"You take your meds today?" Bexley asks as they continue the long walk.

"It's only one, and yeah. What about you?" He asks and she nods.

Every morning, they check to see if each of them took their medication because it's important to each of them. If Hayden doesn't, he'll get his migraines back, if Bex doesn't, she'll go back into her paranoia phase.

"I don't wanna do this, Dingo!" Bex constantly complains on school mornings about how she hates it.

"Come on, it's almost summer. We can do it." He pulls her forwards and they push the doors open to the school. "And didn't I tell you to stop calling me Dingo in public?" Hayden raises his eyebrows at her.

"Yeah. I guess I wasn't listening when you said that so it doesn't apply," She gives him a wide smile and looks around at the crowd of people.

"Not fair! You never listen so nothing applies then." He wines.

"That's true but I'm not gonna stop calling you by your true name, Dingo." She takes her hand out of his arm and takes his hand. "Come on, let's go get our stuff for school," Hayden is then dragged by Bex through the school and gets some odd looks which he returns with a glare.

When they pass a classroom, the teacher comes out with a disapproving look on her face. "You two, come back here!" She says in an assertive tone.

They stop in their tracks and look back. Hayden's eyes widen when he realizes who the teacher is—Mrs.Cognetti who teaches Art to Seniors. She has a reputation around here of being biased against guys.

"Sorry, we were in a hurry to get to our lockers," Bex says as the both of them go back to where the teacher stands.

"I don't care what the situation is, don't run. Detention after school for the both of you." Mrs.Cognetti raises her head as if showing domination, bitch.

Hayden doesn't speak because he's mad and thinks he'll say something he shouldn't so Bex apologizes. "Okay. Sorry again, Ma'am."

He starts walking away and Bex catches up to him. "Hey, you okay?" She asks.

"Yeah. I just don't like her." He explains. "Let's go to our lockers."

While they are walking to their lockers, Hayden looks around at everyone in their own groups of friends. Some are talking amongst themselves, others are laughing, then there are the ones that are in drama fights. That makes him smile.

Bex elbows him. "What are you smiling about?" She asks.

"Just the stupid fights people still get in, in high school. It's crazy." Hayden ponders.

"Yeah I know right? It's so stupi—" Bex is cut off by voices calling their names.

"Hayden! Bex! Wait up." He looks back to see both Luca and Piper speed walking to catch up.

Hayden smiles. "Hey, guys!"

When they catch up, Luca wraps his arm around Hayden's neck. "Heyo! What's up?" He asks him.

"We just got detention for 'running in the halls' even though it was more of a speed walk." Bex says.

Piper looks at her with wide eyes. "Seriously? Who made that decision?" She asks.

"Mrs.Cognetti." They all groan at the same time.

"I hate her. She takes her job too seriously, like this isn't the time we're supposed to have fun." Luca says.

"Yeah, I agree. I just hope I don't get her next year when I'm a senior." There's a hint of anxiety in Hayden's voice. "If so, I'm dropping out and becoming a male stripper like we planned." They all laugh.

"Okay, we should probably get to class. I'll see you at lunch." Luca says and Hayden nods.

He starts walking away so Hayden turns and opens his locker. He puts his backpack on the ground and takes out his binders and books before putting the bag into his locker.

"I don't get why you even bother putting your backpack in your locker," Bex says from behind. "You can carry it to each class, it's much easier."

Hayden closes his locker with his class supplies in hand and turns to face her. "It makes me feel more organized, what can I say?"

"Mhm. Okay..." He walks past her and down the hall to his first period, Chemistry.

"Come on, Bex! We're gonna be late." He turns down the hall and smiles when he sees her coming his way.

{•Author's Note•}

Song: Feel It Still by Portugal. The Man

Sorry it took so long to release this

The song is really upbeat like the chapter

Please comment, vote, follow, and share:)

Much love, xoxo<3

Date published: June 13th, 2020

Word Count: 1330