{"sf1_id":982893,"sf2_id":"rn90KoQm","title":"A Life in High School, Ch. 8","author":"MLGDraconCraft","words":2445,"posted_at":"2016-04-05T01:20:00.000Z","tags":["Gay","Gay Relationships","Gryphon","Love","Redemption","Story","Story Progression","Story Series","Wolf","hope"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/982893-a-life-in-high-school-ch-8","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/rn90KoQm","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/db/7c/db7c4c48-fa98-4d2e-874b-ca6cb87a1855","description":"#8 of A Life in High School\n\nChapter 8 of A Life in High School.","content":" **So, yeah. This is short, so I hope you guys enjoy!**\n\n**One tip: about eight months after the previous chappy.**\n\n**Roll the Film!**\n\n_Colton's P.O.V_.\n\n_I waved to my mom_ as I drove out of the driveway and turned down the street. The blue-and-white Durango coughed down the street as the engine warmed up, but once it was ready, it settled into a steady roar.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I rolled the windows down to get the breeze rolling through the car as I drove down the highway, forty-five minutes to DIA. I had left the house close to five hours early to account for security in the airport, and it was still 6 P.M. I wasn't looking forward to a redeye flight but that's what I could get that was within my budget. I was hoping I could get a job in Cincinnati that would help pay for the surprise trips I wanted to take home.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Laughing quietly to myself, I realized that instead of a football scholarship like I wanted, I had gotten a full-ride on swimming. Turns out I was a better swimmer than football player (and football players are in high supply and low demand). I had made State every year I had swum.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The Durango puttered to a stop in a parking space in the Pikes Peak lot for parking at DIA. It would remain there for the better part of six or seven months, unless I could afford a Thanksgiving Break trip back.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The bus ride to the airport was relatively uneventful. A few more furs got on the bus--a gryphon, an eagle, and a wolf, like me--but none of them said anything, and neither did I. Security was a breeze; it took me about T-5 minutes to get through, and I had a good three and a half hours before my flight. I was that kind of guy: I could never be too early, but being on time was the same as being late.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I had a quick dinner at the Chiles' in the C terminal, which occupied about thirty minutes of the time, leaving two hours and forty-five minutes. Remember, I had to travel _to_ C terminal as well. I spent the rest of the time playing games on my phone.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Finally, as it had seemed much longer than three hours, my flight started boarding. _American Airlines Flight 407 to Cinncinatti/Northern Kentucky International Airport\u0026nbsp;boarding now._ I stood and stood in the Business Class flight line. My parents had paid, and Business class on a redeye was the same as Economy on a normal time flight.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I quickly found my seat and waited until everyone else had boarded. The gryphon from earlier caught my eye as he boarded. I glanced at him, and he quickly looked away. I thought there was something...I don't know, _familiar?_...about him. The flight was scheduled to take two hours and fifteen minutes, because we would be going against the jet stream. I smirked to myself; had two hours and fifteen minutes to game late at night.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Or I could sleep. I closed my eyes and immediately knocked myself out.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I awoke as we began the descent. _I slept the whole time?_\u0026nbsp;I was surprised. I rarely was able to sleep on planes, which was attributed to my insomnia. I must've been really tired.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; We touched down, and I let nearly everyone on the plane get off before me until the only fur on board with me was the gryphon.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Go ahead,\" he insisted.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I can't, you go,\" I replied, then smiled. \"We are gonna be here all night until one of us caves, aren't we?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; He nodded. \"Yep.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I laughed. \"Then I'll go.\" I stepped out into the aisle and grabbed my bag from the overhead compartment. Just before I turned to step out of the plane, I turned and looked at him. \"By the way, it's been bothering me the entire flight: do I know you?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; He peered at me for a second, then shook his head. \"No, I don't believe you do.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I frowned. \"Huh. Are you in college?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Yeah, where are you going?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Xavier,\" I said, \"on a swimming scholarship. I'm a freshman.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Hey, same,\" he said. \"Except...not on a swimming scholarship,\" he added, smiling.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I led him off of the plane, and when we reached the hallway, he caught up and walked next to me. \"You know, you remind me of someone, someone I knew a long time ago... What's your name?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Colton.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; He shook his head. \"Yeah, not the same person. My name's Renaldo, by the way.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I laughed. \"Good name.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I could say the same about you.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Thanks.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Silence reigned over our conversation for a few minutes as we rode the underground tram to Baggage Claim.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Then I said, \"What room are you staying in?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Eh, I don't know. Don't really care. I think it was close to 150?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Hey, same here,\" I paused. \"You gonna take a bus?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Renaldo nodded. \"I was thinking we could ride over together.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I shrugged. \"I suppose it couldn't hurt. Sure!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; He smiled. \"Hey, at least I won't be alone for the journey!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; We laughed together as we approached our baggage claim.\n\n_Close to fifty minutes later..._\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I shrugged my backpack that contained all of my electronics higher on my shoulder. I had a camera, a computer, a phone, a Samsung Tablet, and an iPad. All of my books, my clothes, etcetera, were in my suitcases.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The bus pulled to a stop at our stop. I let go of my cramped grip on the bar and hopped off, my suitcases thumping against the ground behind me. I took a deep breath of the clean night air and turned to Renaldo. \"We have a little ways to walk, but I planned it so that it was shorter and more downhill.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Well,\" he said, \"Glad I came with you. I would have gotten off at the last one.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I shrugged. \"I try to do my research. Made me do something very stupid earlier in my high school life.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I think everyone could say the same,\" Renaldo said.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"No, like, _really_ stupid. Like, 'the fuck you do tha' fo'?' stupid.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Well,\" he said, \"I think you beat us on that one.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I laughed. \"Perhaps, but a friend of mine did something nearly as bad.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Renaldo laughed as well. \"_That_ we could all relate to.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I suppose that's why I said it. Legit, I went into shock and seized at the same time.\" We laughed and started walking. \"This is probably the most relaxed I've been in a very long time,\" I said. \"Being out of my home town, I can tell, has already done me some good; way too tense back there.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Renaldo nodded. \"I agree.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Silence reigned over our conversation until I started singing Broken Together by Casting Crowns (no copyrights owned ;D).\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Renaldo listened until I finished, and applauded me as I finished. \"Huh, you have a great voice. Again, reminds me of someone from my past, but wrong name.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I smiled shyly. \"My family hates it. They think I'm a terrible singer and tell me to stop every time. They even restricted me from taking Voice at the school I went to.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"That sucks, man. You do have a really good voice; I'm not lying.\" He laughed then. \"Check my record, if you want. In the year where there were more people expelled than were in my class, I was one of the few that did not get expelled.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I smiled. \"That makes sense. You're too good of a kid to be expelled, from what I've seen of you.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; He nodded, and once again silence ruled our conversation. It lasted until we arrived at the campus four or five minutes later. I pointed. \"That would be the dormitory building. We should go and get some sleep.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I agree. Walk with me?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I smiled and took his extended hand in the fake 'boyfriends' manner, until we broke down and laughed, letting go of each other. \"Let's go.\" I stepped into the dorms and stopped. \"Well,\" I said, looking around at the magnificent polished white granite walls and tiled floor, \"no turning back now. What number is your dorm?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"It's number 154. I was actually pretty close!\" We both laughed as we walked down the hallways--quietly, of course. We knew there were people sleeping behind the closed doors that dotted the long hallway. \"If I know anything about how schools are set up, we're probably on the first floor, so right down this hallway.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"And I'm number 156, so right next to you.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"How do you know?\" Renaldo asked.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Well, odd numbers are on the right, and evens on the left, from what we've seen already. It's the only logical conclusion,\" I replied, looking up at him. Did I mention that he was close to a head taller than me?\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; He cocked his head. \"Good point.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I shrugged. \"Logic.\" We reached Dorm 154. \"Well, I guess this is where we part for the night.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Nodding, he said, \"Yep. See you tomorrow?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"For lunch, probably.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Cool.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I smiled at him as he turned and closed the door to his dormitory.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; And in the brief second before the door closed?\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Well, I think I saw him smile back.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I turned and walked another door down and used my key card to unlock the door to my dorm. I stepped in and closed the door quietly, locking it again behind me. I could immediately see that Xavier set the dorms up as double-ups, which, for those of you who don't know, means you share the room with someone else. The first room was what you'd expect of a living room: a flatscreen TV with a few game consoles, a couch, a few bean bags, and a small kitchen-like area in the right corner next to the door, if you ever wanted to eat a meal at your dorm. There was another door on the right side of the room, also next to the kitchen, which probably led to the bedroom. There was a door almost exactly opposite the bedroom door on the left wall, which I assumed led to the bathroom, which had a shower, a sink, and a toilet, plus a little moving space with nothing in it.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I laughed--very quietly, because it _was_ possible that there was someone sleeping in the bedroom. Walking across the carpeted floor, I put my hand on the handle and slowly turned, opening the oiled hinges without a creak. What--or rather, who--I saw sitting on the bed on the right nearly gave me a done good heart attack.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Seje?\" I gasped.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"The one and only,\" he replied, smiling. \"When I found out that you were my dorm partner I nearly flipped.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Jesus, man,\" I said, \"you almost gave me a seizure.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Well, good thing I didn't.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"So,\" I said. \"Swimming.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; He smiled. \"Yo. How're you barking?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Pretty pole vaulting, how about you?\" I managed to answer, before exploding into laughter. It was an old joke between us. We'd use sports or actions that usually aren't used for greetings/questions as exactly that. \"But seriously, I haven't seen you since...what was it, fifth grade?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"That's it,\" he agreed. \"So good to see you again!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Same,\" I said.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Awesomesauce!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I can see you never stopped with your weird words.\" I laughed, remembering how he used to always twist a word in every sentence so that it sounded similar, but at the same time completely different.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I kind of did, actually. People started making fun of me for it, so I stopped.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Jesus, man. I told you then, and I'll tell you now, I don't give a damn about what other people think, and neither should you, if it's something bad about you.\" Then I shook my head. \"That was phrased _terribly_, but you follow?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Yeah,\" Seje said.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I laughed. \"When I first met you, you seemed like the type of person who would never let other people drag you down.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Seje smiled up at me. \"I was. Not so much anymore.\" He sighed. \"This game has broken my façade.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; He stood up. \"Seje?\" I said quietly. He looked at me. I quickly drew back my fist and hit him across the face, hard enough to make him fall to the ground. \"Seje,\" I repeated, now holding out my hand.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Seje took it and allowed me to help him up. \"Thanks,\" he said, rubbing the spot where I had hit him. \"I needed that.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Of course,\" I laughed. \"Anything for an old friend.\" What I'd done is knocked that mindset out of him.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Well, I need to get to bed.\" He yawned. \"This is definitely too late for me.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I laughed again. \"You always were the 'Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise' type... Alright, I'll let you go to bed. I have to brush my teeth, at least. Maybe take a quick shower.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Alright,\" Seje said. \"Just make sure to lock _both_ doors. We share the bathroom with 154.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Oh?\" I said. \"That'll be interesting. By tomorrow morning or night I'll probably have forgotten about it. Don't remind me, though; I want to see the reactions of who is in there. I met one of them on the way here: he was on the plane with me, and we ended up becoming...well, buddies, I guess.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; He smiled. \"I would ask to be in there with you when it happens, but I'm not sure I want to be.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I laughed. \"No, you do not.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"G-night,\" he said, crawling up in his bed and pulling the covers over him.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"G-night,\" I said back, but he was already asleep. I smiled a little and turned to get my bags, unpack and clean up.\n\n**Well, quite an unexpected ending! Colton goes to college and realizes that he has double-upped with an old elementary school friend! And who is this mysterious 'Renaldo'? Let me know what you think in the comments below!**\n\n**Many thanks to The Bloody Seje for letting me use his character 'Seje'.**\n\n**I'll see you guys next time!**\n\n**Momentine!**\n\n  \n  \n\n","series":{"name":"A Life in High School","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/977588-a-life-in-high-school-ch-7.json"}}