CHAPTER 1:

Life is an interesting thing.

I always think I have it all figured out and then I stumble onto another problem.

But when there's a problem.

There's a solution.

Well.

That's not entirely true.

Sometimes you have a problem that you have no control over.

A problem you must live with for the rest of your life.

Does that make you a bad person?

Depends on who you ask.

Does that make you want to give up?

Probably.

But should you give up?

That's the million-dollar question.

A question I don't know the answer to.

I let out a heavy sigh while prying open the double doors to a brick two story building with the palm of my hands.

Geez.

They've got to get these doors fixed sometime.

I grip tightly onto the strap of my school bag while swinging it over my right shoulder.

Well.

Here's to another day of inconveniences.

And of course.

The so called "Opportunities" waiting for me.

But I guess I'll be the judge of that.

One way or another.

Violent tapping and layers of voices pierce through the hallways of Starlight High School.

Honestly.

It's calming in a weird therapeutic way.

And irritating.

Kind of like this place.

My eyes focus on the wooden floor as I adjust my bag strap.

Yeah.

I'd much rather be somewhere else.

But.

I also need to be here.

I slowly look ahead of me while shrugging my shoulders.

So skipping class is out of the question.

Which wouldn't do me any favors anyway.

Except maybe catching up on some sleep.

"Look at him." A voice whispers by my left ear along with muffled giggles.

Geez.

I shake my head while slowly breathing in.

Don't they have anything better to do?

They're acting like I can't hear them.

I continue my steady pace through the crowded hallway as loud tapping quickly appears behind me.

Come on.

I sigh out while ruffling up my hair.

Seriously?

Go away.

I don't have the time and patience today.

"Excuse me?" A tiny voice whispers as gentle pressure lays against my left shoulder.

Oh boy.

Here we go.

I slowly turn around and raise a brow.

"What do you want?"

A small timid girl smiles while straightening her skirt and fixing her light brown ponytail.

"Hi." "I was just wondering." She says folding her hands together and batting her eyes.

Wow.

Really?

"Yeah?"

She looks beside her then turns back to me with a light blush tinting her cheeks.

Alright.

Out with it.

"I was wondering if I could have your number?"

I stare blankly as she inches her way closer while straightening out her skirt a second time.

And there it is.

It doesn't take much to figure that one out.

"You're really handsome and I think we would look really great toge........."

"No." I scoff turning back around.

I'm really not in the mood for this today.

Please just take the hint and leave me alone.

I step forward and a pair of arms wrap themselves around my right arm.

"Come on." She whines. "Don't be like that."

I attempt to move forward but am immediately pulled back as the grip on my arm tightens.

Ok.

I heavily breathe out while shaking my head.

I'm gonna have to do this the hard way, arent I?

"Just give me a chance." "We'll make everyone jealous."

She inches her way towards my right ear with a gentle breath.

"Don't pretend like you dont want to be with me too."

Alright.

That's enough.

I shove my right arm forward causing her to gasp out and release it.

Oh please.

Don't act so surprised.

I gave you a chance to walk away.

I turn around.

"Maybe I need to make things clearer for you."

I step forward as she steps back.

A lot clearer.

"We would not look good together." "The chances of us getting together are as great as me winning the lottery."

She then blinks and forces out a huff.

Ok.

Maybe that was a little harsh.

"Perhaps that was a poor choice of words." I softly sigh. "I'm sorry."

Her eyes quickly light up as a grin forms on her face.

"So does that mean........."

I chuckle while raising my right hand.

"I'd have a better chance at winning the lottery."

She gasps while dropping her jaw.

Ok.

I nod my head.

Base on that reaction.

She's not used to being rejected.

Well.

When you do the same thing long enough.

It's bound to happen at some point.

I take another step forward as she quickly crosses her arms.

What did you expect was gonna happen acting like that?

A change of heart?

"Also." I say pointing a few inches from her face. "If I were you; I would focus more on school than clinging onto every guy that walks through those doors."

Her blank expression quickly turns into a glare.

There.

I pulled my hand away.

I think I made my point.

"Have a nice day." I chuckle patting her left shoulder while turning around and walking forward.

Well.

She has to learn sometime.

So I guess now's a better time than any.

"HAHA!" "You got rejected, didn't you? a strong voice echoes behind me as my legs carry me out of range."

Ok.

Maybe I could've been a little nicer.

But come on.

Enough is enough.

I said no.

She kept on and that's what happens.

I slowly climb my way up the steps to the second floor.

Well.

In any case.

I don't think she'll be bothering me anytime soon.

Besides.

I have more important things to worry about.

I slowly walk pass a chain of whispers alongside abrupted laughter.

Wow.

I didn't realize this was gossip hour.

People always have something to talk about.

Whether it's good or bad.

My feet stop in front of a tan wooden door.

Wow.

I made it in good timing.

My eyes glance over the note attached to it.

{Class 208. Mrs. Simmons. Math.}

Ah.

Mrs. Simmons.

Nice lady.

Not really a fan of her class.

But nice lady none the less.

I shrug my shoulders and grip onto the doorknob.

Ok.

Here's to officially starting off on a good note.

I push open the door and become engulfed into the strong smell of outdated paper.

It just wouldn't be the true learning experience without gossiping schoolgirls and smelly textbooks.

And where's the fun in that?

I drag my feet to the back of the class and drop my bag to the floor with a loud thud.

Alright.

Let's see.

I plop down into my chair and start rummaging through my belongings.

Pencil?

Check.

Paper?

Check.

Textbook?

Check.

I gather them all in my arms and place them on my desk.

Just because I hate math doesn't mean I have to suck at it.

It could possibly benefit me in the future.

But that's a hard maybe.

I heavily sigh.

But regardless.

I must pay attention.

Going to college is my number one priority.

And I will not screw this up.

It would make my parents so proud of me.

To be somebody other than just a pretty boy.

I'm not sure what I want to major in.

But that will come in due time.

I am a junior after all.

But that doesn't mean I should be slacking off.

I just need to focus and hopefully luck will be on my s.......

My thoughts become disorganized by immediate pressure colliding with the back of my head.

Ow!

Son of a.......

I jerk my body around while roughly rubbing the back of head.

Of course I already know who's at fault.

Who else would it be?

Other than the one and only.

"What was that for Jack!?"

A pair of dark brown eyes stared at me while resting his lightly browned right hand against his silky ear length black hair.

"I've been trying to get your attention for ten minutes bro." "But you keep zoning out."

A smirk suddenly appears on his face as he raises his right fist.

"So I found an effective solution."

Seriously?

I roll my eyes while throwing my hands in the air and putting them back down.

Geez.

Are we really starting off the day like this?

"So your solution was to punch me in the back of the head!?"

Jack then shrugs his shoulders while pointing towards my direction.

"Well." "What would you have done differently, Anthony?"

Huh?

I raise my brow while crossing my arms tightly.

What kind of question is that?

Anything would've worked better than that.

"Oh, I dont know Jack." "Maybe call my name or even tap me on the shoulder!"

I gently touch the back of my head then quickly remove my hand.

"Anything except a punch to the head."

I don't think he realizes there's other solutions to the same problems.

It doesn't require violence all the time.

Jack then slumps into his chair while shrugging his shoulders.

"I can't help it." he laughs kicking the back of my chair. "I get impatient."

I quickly grip onto the top of the desk as he kicks the chair harder.

I swear.

This guy is working on my last nerve.

I look up then quickly face down.

And people are staring.

Not good.

I straighten myself in the chair while shaking my head.

"Oh trust me." I sigh lowering my head while covering my face with my hands. "I already knew this."

Wow.

If embarrassment was a person.

I would win by a landslide.

No competition necessary.

"Oh." Jack chuckles. "Is that a smile I see?"

I softly sigh while slowly shaking my head.

Jack.

For the love of God.

Stop drawing attention to us.

"You think I'm funny." "Admit it."

I lift my face from my hands and turn around with a chuckle.

He's never gonna stop, is he?

"Well." "I wouldn't go that far."

His smirk quickly turns into a grin.

"What was that bro?" he asks leaning closer.

Really?

I huffed up and lightly shoved him.

I guess he's not gonna stop.

He's too fired up today.

"Cut it out Jack." I sigh laying my head against my desk. "I mean it."

Maybe he'll calm down if I ignore him.

It's worth a shot anyway.

"I KNEW IT!" "YOU'RE SMILING!" He belts out through abrupt laughter.

Oh.

I grip tightly onto the desk as his voice carries throughout the classroom.

Ok then.

Heat then rushes to the surface of my cheeks as I slowly lift my head.

He's worse when I ignore him.

Noted.

"Jack."

I turn to him while waving my hands in front of me.

"Please keep it down." "You're being too loud."

He slowly nods his head.

"Oh, lighten up a bit Anthony." he chuckles patting my right shoulder. "It's not that serious."

Well.........

I heavily sigh while shaking my head.

"Yeah." "I know."

I just need to be reminded at times.

That's all.

He then removes his hand from my shoulder.

"Trust me." "You're gonna be just fine."

I then relax my shoulders with a heavy nod.

Honestly.

When it comes to these kinds of things.

He always knows what to say.

Every time.

"You're right."

I smile while gently grasping his left shoulder.

"I'm sorry."

He then pats my left arm with a chuckle.

"No worries bro."

Good.

I nodded and let go of his shoulder.

I'm glad he understands where I'm coming from.

That says a lot about our friendship.

"Anyway." I say clearing my throat. "Can you believe we're juniors now?"

He shakes his head and hunches over his black and lime green school bag.

"No I can't." "It's crazy to even think about."

He starts rummaging through his bag and pulls out a blue textbook.

"It seems like just yesterday we were little kids meeting for the first time in the local park."

He then places his textbook onto his desk and turns back around.

"Do you remember that?"

A smile appears on my face.

Of course I do.

Thats nostalgic at its best.

"How could I forget?"

I clap my hands together and rest them on my desk.

"We met at the monkey bars." "Challenging each other to see who would get across the fastest."

I let out a weak laugh while slapping my forehead with the palm of my right hand.

"That is until we ended up falling flat on our asses and giving up afterwards."

Jack grins.

"Yeah." "But it wasn't all that bad." He chuckles while waving his right hand in the air. "We had a nice view of the girls walking by." "Giving us all kinds of looks."

Yeah.

I roll my eyes while shaking my head.

That wasn't a good thing, Jack.

"They probably thought we were idiots."

He slowly nods his head.

"To be fair bro, we were idiots."

I then shrug my shoulders.

Ok.

Fair enough.

The things we did back then baffles me even to this day.

"Your mom brought mangos and pineapples."

I quickly point between us.

"Making our friendship official."

He chuckles.

"She knew our own foolishness was gonna carry us through up until this point."

I softly breathe out.

Yeah.

Thats true.

Which is why we're the best at being smart and stupid at the same time.

Maybe that's why our friendship is stronger than life itself and lasted this far.

"Lets just go back to those simpler times." I sigh looking over at my blue textbook. "Why did we have to grow up and have responsibilities?"

I miss the days when we could just live carefree and only worry about what tv show was coming on that day.

It was a much different time than it is now.

And as much as I would love to go back.

It's simply not possible.

Not now.

Not ever.

"But speaking of time."

I roughly tap onto Jack's desk and stare down at it.

"Any idea of what you want to do after graduation?"

He slowly shakes his head.

"I have no idea."

He puts his hands behind his head and leans back in his chair.

"Maybe I'll go to college." "Maybe I'll open up my own restaurant."

A smirk quickly appears on his face.

Uh oh.

I dont like that look.

"Maybe I'll just be a freeloader and live with my mom for the rest of my life."

What?

I then let out a chuckle.

And there's the smart remark I was waiting for.

Just not those exact words.

"Come on Jack."

I rest my right hand against my forehead.

"Be serious."

His smile quickly turns into a frown as he straightens himself in his chair.

"I am being serious."

His left fist roughly collides with his desk.

"I have options!"

He then points a few inches away from my face.

"Do you know how much money I could save if I lived with my mom?"

Uh.........

I quickly avoided his eyes.

I'm not sure.

But maybe It's best that I don't know.

"A lot." He says sternly with a slightly stronger tone.

I turn to him with slightly widen eyes.

Alright Jack.

I get it.

You're very passionate about this.

"Not to mention all the benefits that come with it."

I raise a brow while crossing my arms.

"Such as?"

He lifts his fist off his desk and opens it up.

"Food, Bed, Clothes."

He roughly pats his pants pocket with a nod.

"And of course all that money I would've saved up."

What the hell?

Have you lost your marbles completely?

I sigh.

Oh God.

I guess he's serious after all.

"Ok." "If that's what you want, then who am I to........"

"Oh my God bro!" he belts out while smacking his right hand against the desk. "I'm just joking with you." "Geez."

Yeah.

"Oh." I chuckle while shaking my head.

Of course you were.

Thank God.

"How long have you known me, Anthony?" he asks shoving my right shoulder backwards.

Hm.

Great question.

I ruffle up my hair.

"Too long it seems."

His laughing quickly turns into tears.

I raise my brow.

Ok Jack.

Did you drink too much coffee today?

You're more hyper than usual.

"Oh come on now bro." he says wiping away his remaining tears. "Take a joke will you, Anthony?"

I blink and slowly nod my head.

Wow.

It's never a dull moment with him around.

And it's unclear if that's a good or bad thing.

"Okay Jack."

I raise my hands and quickly put them back down.

"I'll remember that for next time."

He nods his head and softly sighs.

Good.

We'll take it one day at a time.

Jokes and all.

"But enough about me." Jack says leaning back into his chair. "What about you Anthony?"

He then points towards my direction.

"Have you decided your future yet?"

Oh.

My eyes quickly fall onto the scratched up white titled floor.

Um..........

A sharp pain suddenly appears on the sides of my head as adrenaline rushes through my body.

Man.

I should've had a plan lined up already but I'm not sure where to go from here.

I'm being so........

I sigh while turning around and staring down at the scattered white bold numbers on the light blue textbook.

What am I gonna do?

I'm stuck in so many different ways and have no result of figuring it out.

"My bad bro." "I didn't mean to........."

I quickly raised my hand.

"No." "It's ok."

I turn my head back around.

"And no." "I haven't decided yet."

I then start fiddling with my fingers while releasing a heavy breath.

I need to know.

I can't be slacking off about this.

No matter what.

"I just want to make my parents proud."

I rub the back of my head and lower my gaze.

"I just don't want to disappoint them."

I slowly look up.

"You know what I mean?"

Jack nods his head while grabbing paper out of his school bag and setting it on his desk.

"Trust me bro." "I get it."

I huff out while throwing my hands up and resting them on my forehead.

Wow.

Things keep getting more complicated the more time goes on and that will never change.

"I just want to be successful." "But what I'm doing isn't good enough."

I removed my hands from my face and placed them in my lap.

"I need to try harder and hope for the best."

The reality is, messing around is not gonna get me the life I want.

The life I need.

"Anthony." Jack sighs dropping the rest of his school materials onto his desk. "Are you serious right now bro?"

He then straightens his belongings and looks up at me.

"You're a straight A student." "Top of the class smart."

He laughs while clapping his hands together.

"And you think you won't be successful?" "You think you're not good enough?"

I shrug my shoulders and lower my gaze.

Well yeah.

That's why I said it.

"Give me a break bro." "That's just plain ignorance talking right now."

I then ruffle up my short blonde wavy hair and release a short breath.

He's got a point.

I'm worrying over something that hasn't even happened yet and that never solves anything.

"You're right."

A smile forms on my face as I look back at him.

"Thanks for that."

He smiles while giving a thumbs up.

"No problem."

Wow.

What would I do without him?

The door suddenly swings open causing the class to go silent.

Ok.

Either the teacher is here, or we're being lectured by the principal.

I turned myself around and readjusted myself in my seat.

A tall darker skinned medium sized woman rushes to her desk while dropping her books on top.

Ok.

Option one.

Cool.

"Sorry I'm late class." Mrs. Simmons gasps out while catching her breath. "I had important business to attend to."

The class stays silent as she attempts to organize her belongings on her desk in a fast manner.

I don't think you have to worry about that.

I'm sure no one noticed until you said it.

She swiftly brushes her brown straight collarbone length hair out of her face and adjusts her beige slim dress.

Ok.

Maybe she needs to take a breather for a second.

That might help her collect her thoughts.

"Alright." She whispers grabbing her clipboard off her desk and rushing to the front of the class with a warm smile.

Her positivity is radiating.

It's like she's letting the world know she's found her passion and isn't afraid to show it.

Well.

That's what I'm picking up through her demeaner anyway.

"OK!" She yells out while scanning the room. "ROLLCALL!"

Wow.

How does one get excited about their job like this?

I might never know but I'll have whatever it is you're having to stay that hyped up.

"Zachery Philips?"

A tan hand rises.

"What's up dude?" he asks brushing through his shaggy blonde hair and leaning back into his chair.

Geez.

He's quite the charmer, isn't he?

I think he needs more than a brush to fix that head of his.

Mrs. Simmons nods her head and checks off his name on her clipboard with a red pen.

"Alright." "Cindy Lewis?"

A pale white hand slowly rises.

"Here." A light brown-haired girl mumbles while burying her face in her textbook and quickly putting her hand back down.

Oh.

I guess she doesn't like being the center of attention.

She calls out one person after another with her smile never leaving her face.

She's not even going in order.

But I guess that doesn't matter.

She's so happy and content.

Most people despise even acknowledging their own crappy jobs.

But then.

There's people like her who love the hell out of it.

How can she be that happy with a job like this?

Maybe it's her outlook on life that makes her that way.

I wonder if I'll ever find a job so rewarding that it puts a smile on my face every day.

"Isn't she hot?" a voice softly breathes into my right ear.

Woah!

My body quickly jumps up.

What the.........?

Erupted laughter appears behind me.

Come on.

Really?

I slowly relax my shoulders.

Damn it Jack.

"Gotcha bro."

I turn around and swing my right hand against the back of his head.

"Will you just shut up?" "That's disrespectful."

His eyes widen as he tightly grips onto his head.

There you go.

Maybe that'll knock some sense into you.

"Ouch!" he yelps rubbing the back of his head. "I was just joking bro!"

I huff out.

"She could've heard you and then what?" "You'll serenade her with your stand-up comedy?"

He turns to the side while keeping a tight grip on his head.

"I said I was joking bro." "Why so serious?"

I then roll my eyes with a heavy sigh.

I swear.

It's like talking to a child.

Sometimes he listens and sometimes he doesn't.

Which one is it, Jack?

"Anthony Johnson?" "Are you here?"

Huh?

I quickly turned back around and raised my hand.

"Sorry." I mumble adjusting myself in my seat. "Here."

She nods her head and checks off the clipboard.

Yeah.

This is embarrassing.

"Jack Johnson?"

"Here." a familiar voice says through a soft groan from behind me.

Come on Jack.

I let out a chuckle.

I didn't slap you that hard.

You're being dramatic.

Mrs. Simmons nods her head and scribbles down on her clipboard.

Wow.

At this rate, class will be over soon.

So taking roll call is a waste of time.

"You didn't have to hit me so hard bro." "Was that necessary?"

I shrug my shoulders.

"Yes."

I look at him with a smirk.

"As a matter of fact it was." "You were getting on my nerves."

I raise my hand in front of me.

"So I solved the problem."

He stares blankly while slowly shaking his head.

Does that sound familiar to you Jack?

I nod and turn back around.

Because you of all people should know.

"Great." Mrs. Simmons sighs in relief while placing her clipboard back onto her desk. "Everyone is present."

She turns around and scoops a stack of papers into her arms.

"Ok class." She says walking over to the first desk on her right. "Since we don't have much time left, we'll review what we've already learned so far for the remainder of the class period."

She then slides a stack of papers to every student in the front row with a smile still beaming from her face.

Oh.

She really does love her job.

I thought I was just being salty.

I breathe out while grasping the worksheet tightly in front of me and placing it in my textbook.

Is there a method to knowing true happiness?

Maybe some kind of formula to solve.

Like a math problem.

Only much more complicated.

If that's the case, I'll probably never know the answer to it.

I look down at my silver Rolex and softly sigh.

Class is over.

Perfect timing.

I close my textbook to the sound of the piercing noise ringing throughout the classroom.

Well I better get going.

I stand up while gathering my belongings into my arms and stuffing them in my bag.

The sooner I leave this place, the sooner this day will be over with.

The students rise from their seats in unison and walk out of the room in their diverse groups.

Alright.

Time to see what the rest of the day brings.

"Are you coming?" I ask turning around while swinging my bag strap over my right shoulder.

Jack shakily stands up while still gripping the back of his head.

"Yeah." he whispers. "Just give me a minute."

He then bends down and uses the chair for support.

Oh for heaven's sakes.

He's hamming it up at this point.

"Come on man." I sigh out. "I didn't even hit you that hard." "Believe me."

I cross my arms tightly as a smirk appears on my face.

"It could've been a lot harder than that."

He huffs up as a glare forms on his face.

Ok.

Maybe that's not the right thing to say at this very moment.

"Why did you even hit me at all?" Jack asks.

I then let out a dry laugh and patted him on the left shoulder.

"Because I earned a freebee from you hitting me earlier."

He rolls his eyes and chuckles.

"Alright."

He gathers his belongings into his arms and quickly stuffs them into his school bag.

"You got me."

He then swings his bag over his right shoulder and turns to me.

"I'm sorry bro."

I placed my hand against his left shoulder.

There's no need for that.

I'm sure we'll have this conversation again and will lash it out the exact same way.

"Come on." I say removing my hand from his shoulder. "Let's get to our next class."

With a heavy nod, we turn around and walk out of the classroom.

Geez.

It seems like forever ago since Jack and I became friends.

Our similarities connect us to become who we're meant to be.

The fact that we happen to have the same last name adds more value to our friendship.

We act out and make up in the same day.

That speaks volumes into what we have.

Yes.

We have our differences.

Too many to even keep up with.

But that doesn't make it any less special.

We come from two different worlds but that's what makes our friendship so strong.

To outlive the normality known as life.

Best friends.

Best friends against the world and beyond wherever we end up afterwards.

I wonder how long it'll last.

After high school?

After college?

After the end times?

Can a friendship be so strong that it carries into the afterlife?

That I'm not sure of.

"Hey Anthony." The words whisper into my left ear as a hand waves violently in my face.

"Huh?"

I blink while shaking my head.

"What happened?"

Jack sighs.

"I said I'll meet you in class."

Oh.

I nod my head.

Class.

Right.

"So go on ahead of me." he says as a smirk appears on his face while pointing his thumb behind him. "There's something I need to take care of."

I then raise my brow.

Oh no.

Not that look again.

"Meeting up with a girl again?" I ask while crossing my arms.

He lets out a dry laugh.

"Maybe."

He then shrugs his shoulders.

"Maybe not."

Oh brother.

I breathe out while looking up at the ceiling.

That means yes.

"Uh huh." "I know that's what you're doing."

I look back down at his now grinning self.

Jack.

You better behave yourself.

You might regret it later.

"What can I say?" he says patting himself on the back. "I'm a player."

Right.

I'm sure that's it.

I roll my eyes.

He's a real piece of work but gotta love him nonetheless.

"Alright."

I reached my right fist towards him.

"Have fun."

He nods his head and reaches his right fist towards me.

"But not too much fun." I say fist pumping him and pulling away. "You hear me?"

He chuckles while raising his hands in front of him.

"Oh, I'll never tell."

Come on.

I heavily sigh while placing my right hand against my face.

That wasn't the answer I was looking for Jack but I'm sure you already knew that.

"Just shut up and go already." I say pointing in the opposite direction.

You're wasting precious time talking to me and you're gonna do it anyway.

So you better get going while you still have time.

"Ok Anthony." He says with a smile and runs past me.

Geez.

I drop my hand to my side.

You're something else Jack.

More than you know.

"See you in class bro." he calls out while turning around and waving.

I wave back with a smile.

"Ok."

He quickly turns back around and sprints off until he's out of sight.

"See you in class." My voice trails off into silence along with a gentle sigh.

He's certainly a character.

In more ways than one.

I slowly turn around and start walking in the opposite direction.

But that's what's so great about him.

My feet silently drag across the wooden floor.

If I'm being honest with myself, can this friendship really last forever?

What if it can't?

And what if it can?

It's difficult to tell right now.

Especially with a lifetime of friendship.

I lower my head as a sigh forces its way out of me and echoes through the empty hallways.

But regardless of the outcome, I have to know.

How long is forever?