I suddenly wake up during the night. I check my phone to see how late it is: 3:36 AM. Why am I awake? I 'm sweating pretty bad. Strange. I'm too tired to be confused right now, though. I should just go back to sleep...

The sun rises. Today 's the day: The start of my high school career. Calling it a "career" might be a bit too over the top, but I think it sounds cool.

My uniform is already laid out next to my bed, so I get up and put it on right off the bat. Lots of kids don't like to wear uniforms, but I actually think they're great. Listen, I don't really have much of a fashion sense. Unless grey sweatpants and the same blue sweater every day count as fashion, 'cause in that case, I should rename myself to "The Biggest Fashionista of All Time". Aside from my usual outfit, my uniform is like a second one. Sometimes I even wear it outside of school. Going shopping for clothes isn't really my thing anyway (not like I even have the money for such things). I check myself in the mirror and all I can think of is "Damn, I look good!".

I finally go downstairs and--would you believe it--my brother is still sleeping on the couch (obviously), which means I'll have a peaceful breakfast alone. I grab some bread , cover it with peanut butter and chocolate sprinkles (my favorite combo), make myself some cinnamon tea and sit down to enjoy my first ever "high school breakfast". Once I'm done eating, I put all the plates in the sink. I ignore my jacket as it isn't cold at all, then put on my shoes, put on my headphones, boot up some music on my phone and grab my bike. The weather is quite nice, even though it's only 8 AM. I know it's still summer, but even the mornings during summer break weren't this nice.

There it is, right in front of me: The high school building. The massive, long windows stare me down making me feel like a mere ant. It's... big. Very big. A little too big, I'd say, but hey, I'll get used to it. The parking lot for bikes is right next to the entrance, so I'm glad I don't have to search for it. I was low-key scared that I was going to be late for my first class just because of searching for that stupid parking lot. While securing my bike, I hear all of the typical sounds you'd hear at a school: Shouting, laughing, talking, overly loud whispering... It's the one thing I hate most about school, apart from the fact that there are so many people.

I check the board on one of the walls that has all the class lists on it. Where's my name...? Aha! Found it! 'Aylen Wells - 9EC - Room D202'. I study economics so the name makes sense. My class isn't that big compared to the other ones, which is good news of course. The biggest classes are the science ones. Last year, the language classes were the most popular, but I think people realized how boring that stuff is. Some classes had 5 hours of French a week. I'm sorry, but I'd rather write the whole dictionary in Mandarin than be in a class like that.

The bell rings and everyone starts going to their class. I see the D-building all the way at the back of the yard, so I wait for everyone to leave and then I enter the building. I take the stairs to the second floor and I see all of my classmates entering the classroom. I enter the classroom and, fortunately, my favorite seat at the back left corner is free. I sit down and, somehow, I'm already tired. I wasn't really that bummed at the thought of going back to school, but I totally forgot about the endless feeling of sleepiness. I legitimately can't focus on a single lesson 'cause I'm so fucking tired all the time. Not considering the fact that most (pretty much all) the classes here are incredibly boring, especially French. That shit was pure torture last year (I will never forgive you for your pop quizzes, Miss Aveline). The only thing I hope for right now is that the teacher will spend the full day on introducing and explaining all the rules of this year. I mean, it would make sense, right? It's the start of high school, so it's important that we, as students, know all of the info we need for the year.

Some time has passed and our teacher has still not arrived yet. The people in my class don't seem to bothered, though. They have just been talking to each other this whole time, it's starting to annoy me. Why can't everyone just be quiet for once. I've been trying to read but with this noise, I might aswell give up. Finally, the door opens. This teacher really likes to take their time, huh? Anyway, I watch the door, eagered to see how my new teacher will look like. Slowly, a short, brown curly haired guy enters the classroom. Is this our new teacher? He sure doesn't look old enough to be one. Wait, why is he wearing a backpack? Great. This guy isn't our teacher, he's just another student (who is way too late, may I add). Well, quit standing there little dude and grab a seat, there's plenty of open spots. Wait, why is he walking towards me? Wait... Don't tell me... IS THIS GUY SERIOUSLY GOING TO MY TABLE? No... No this can't be happening. I look dead-straight to my comic, but in the corner of my left eye I see him take the seat next to me.

I have no words. This guy just skipped so many open seats and decided to sit next to me. My whole body becomes stiff, I can feel the sweat running down the side of my head. No one's ever sat next to me in class before. What do I do? Moving seats would seem rude, but staying here means sacrificing my perfect, sacred corner. Why this table? Why me? Maybe this guy also thinks this is the best table, but he somehow didn't see I already claimed it. I know every table has two seats, but this table is an exception. I mean, it's not but... it is to me. Should I just ask him to take another seat? No, hell no. Have I gone crazy? I'm not gonna talk to someone, even worse if it's someone I have literally never seen in my life. Well, I guess I just have to accept my fate. Hopefully this is just a one-time thing, and for the rest of the year, he will sit somewhere else.

After what felt like hours, the teacher finally enters the classroom. "Sorry for being so late guys, I had some trouble with traffic on the way here.", she says. "Hopefully you lot haven't been too bored in the meantime." Well, I'm sure everyone was having a great time, except for me of course. "Anyway, I wanna welcome you all to your first year in high school. Exciting isn't it? A lot of people refer their time in high school as the best time in their lives, and I hope you guys will also be able to say that after graduating!" I see two guys giggling after she said that. I don't know what's so funny about it, but I guess everyone has a different sense of humor. "My name is Sophie Esther..." she says while writing her name on the whiteboard, "...but you can call me Miss Esther. I will be your homeroom teacher for this year, and I will also be teaching you all English 2 hours a week." I actually don't hate English as much as most people do, but that's probably because of my English teacher last year, Mister Randal. He was one of the few teachers who was passionate about his subject, and that really translated into his classes.

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"Before I start talking about this year and all of that stuff, I'd like to get know all of you a bit better!" Please don't tell me... "I will start from the right corner all the way to the back left corner and everyone has to say their name, age and hobby!" For fuck sake, this is exactly what I was hoping wouldn't happen. Why does every teacher do this? What is the point of this stupid introduction game? It's not like anyone cares about the hobby of some random dude in their class. I also don't like mentioning my hobby. Everyone always does a sport or plays an instrument and because those have become so common as hobbies, everyone expects you to do one of them, otherwise your hobby is worthless or whatever. Like, why can't I just live in peace with my comics without being constantly reminded that I have to be active or productive with my free time. Reading and drawing comics is what makes me happy, so isn't that productive enough?!

"My name is Henry Farrenson. I'm 14 years old, and my hobby is football." some random dude in the front says. I tap with my pencil while looking at the clock ticking. This shit is going so slow, yet so fast. A blonde girl finishes her introduction, and now my it's my "neighbour's" turn. "My name is Iván Rivera. I'm 13 years old, and my hobby is... uh...hmm." Everyone, including me, starts looking at him. Does this guy not know what his hobby is? Or maybe he doesn't wanna be judged because of his hobby. In that case, I get him. "Sorry Miss, I don't really have a hobby." "Oh c'mon, everyone has something they like to do! Don't worry, take your time to think about it." Miss Esther says to Iván. "Ehm... I guess I like to play basketball." he says hesitantly. Basketball? Great, another sporty kid. So far I haven't heard a single interesting hobby in this class. I'm not saying mine is, but I was hoping for some more diversity. "Alright, last one." says Miss Esther while looking and nodding at me. Everyone in class turns their head towards me. Just get it over with Aylen, after this no one will look at you again for the rest of the year and you will live a peaceful and quiet life. "I'm Aylen Wells, 13 years old. I read comics". I hear a slight gasp next to me. Was that Iván? Why the fuck did he gasp? "Comics? That's fun! What kind? Adventure? Fantasy?" says Miss Esther enthusiastically. Did she really just ask me a question? Miss, I already gave my introduction so why can't you leave me alone? "Action." I mumble, hoping she'll move on. "What type of action comics? I mean, action is a bit vague don't ya think?" Are you for real, Miss? Another fucking question? I gave an answer to your first question, so why are you asking me another? Congratulations Miss, you've managed to piss of a student on the first day. Scratch that, in the first 10 minutes or so. "Superheroes." There you go Miss, there's your long anticipated answer. "Aha, I knew it! You seemed like someone who'd read superhero comics." Uh, what is that supposed to mean, Miss? You know what, I'm not even gonna question it. She finally stopped asking questions, so that's a win in my book.

For the rest of class, Miss Esther talked about the rules, all our new teachers and general information about the year. She also gave us a tour throughout the school building, which I'm quite thankful for 'cause I was not in the mood to explore and figure out this big ass place all on my own. The school consists of one main building and one smaller one, both connected with each other through the cafetaria. The main building has three floors and includes the administrative office and all the classes, except for the science ones, as those are in the smaller building, which only has two floors. The school also has one big yard, including 3 ping pong tables, some trees and greenery, and also a small basketball field. The cafetaria is nothing special, but the library though, that is a different story. The library is not too big, yet has such a calm and chill vibe to it. It even has a small shelf full of comics. There's also this one small couch next to the wall of the library. I can't wait to sit down there and read during breaks. Overall, the school isn't as intimidating as I thought it would be, so I'm glad I can throw away that concern.

"Well, I hope this day has been useful for all of you. Be sure to bring all of your needed books tomorrow, as you'll immediately start with your lessons." says Miss Esther "With that, you may leave class. Have a good day everyone, it was nice meeting you all!" I'm about to get up from my seat, but suddenly my neighbour's head turns to me. "You like comics, right? Marvel or DC?" he says. Wait—did he just... talk to me? A real question? Out of nowhere? IS HE FOR REAL? Why are my hands sweating? Wait, why am I even asking that to myself? I'm obviously nervous as fuck, I don't know what to do. My right eye starts twitching. This is all too new and sudden for me. I thought Miss Esther asking me stuff was bad enough, BUT THIS IS WAY WORSE! No one of the same age as me has ever asked me something. Do I answer? Do I ignore him? I kind of want to ignore him, but I'd feel bad. Why would I even feel bad, though? I barely know this guy. I know his name is Iván, and that he plays basketball. Wait a minute, basketball? He plays basketball, yet he's interested in me reading comics? What type of species are you, Iván? Aren't you supposed to think my hobby is stupid?

I see him awkwardly smiling at me, patiently waiting for an answer. I am so confused right now. You know what, I'm gonna answer. I can do this. It's not that hard, right? I have talked to miss Esther, this isn't any different from that, right? Right..? Who am I kidding, it is. It really is. I hate this. Why is this so hard. Alright, just say Marvel. Not DC, just Marvel. That's everything you have to do. I take the deepest breath humanly possible. You got this, Aylen. Prove yourself wrong!

"Darvel."

...Darvel? DARVEL? DID I JUST SAY FUCKING DARVEL? ARE YOU KIDDING ME, AYLEN? Please kill me. Put me out of my misery. I wanted to say Marvel, how in the world did I fuck that up. "Ha, good one." he says, "I guess you're one of those people who think both of them are equally good. I respect that. My favorite is DC, though." Oh, he didn't even notice I misspoke? He thought it was a joke? Wow, I really got saved there. That's a relief... Thanks, Iván, for being too stupid to realize I misspoke. Anyway, I finally get up and walk outside. I hear him say something just as I leave the classroom, but I'm still recovering from that interaction, so yeah, sorry not sorry, Iván.

I want to grab my bike from the parking lot, but it's filled with students right now. I decide to stay in the yard for a bit while waiting for it to get less crowded. A few minutes later, I go to the parking lot and find only one person still there--a girl who is struggling to open her lock. I remember having the same issue with mine, but now I've become a master at that it. It has a very specific technique: dust off the key, insert, turn it to the left, thenforcefully to the right, and bam, lock's open. I grab my bike and finally leave school.

As I ride back home, my mind won't stop replaying what just happened. Why did he talk to me? I'm the outcast, and I like it that way. Maybe he's new and doesn't know yet that I'm not someone you'd want as a 'friend'. Still, I don't think that was his intention--at least, I hope it wasn't. This year has to be just like the last, and I won't let anyone mess with that plan.