It was a cool summer's day as Mike entered the white halls of Richmond High. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, and the humidity was perfect - today would be a good day.

Or at least he hoped it would as he tightened his grip on his backpack. He walked down the hall with trepidation, each of his steps feeling heavier than the last.

Those damn fools Joel and his crew would be waiting for him as they always did. But no, today was a good day, and he had to keep his smile.

He had to make sure today was a good day; after all, his brother would be back today, Tommy, the prodigal son. Mike's heart bubbled at the thought of seeing his brother again. What stories would he have from his trip; would he bring back a souvenir, the entire prospect excited him.

He walked up to his locker, and his smile sagged, "w-what?" bewildered Mike watched as a thick black substance leaked from his locker. It pooled on the ground, thick and viscous.

"What is this," he slung his bag off and knelt. Opening his backpack, he began to rummage around, looking for something to clean the gunk off. "I don't understand how they even did that."

There was no doubt in his mind about who the culprits were, but baffled, he couldn't figure out how they had pulled it off.

Nor did he want to think about it. He huffed as he grabbed a few napkins from his backpack and cleaned the mess. He couldn't do much for the poor soul who owned the locker beneath his, but such was life.

Smile; that was what he had to do. He stood back up and opened his locker. It was a mess; the substance covered books, pens, and pencils, sparing nothing. He glanced at it for a second before slamming the door shut. "I'll deal with it tomorrow."

"I need to just focus on today." He walked down the hallway. Other students began to trickle in, heading to their various classes for the day. Some would stop at the locker and comment. A few would take pictures and laugh, but it didn't hold their attention very long.

Mike didn't care much what they did. Sure, his locker was a mess, but today would be a good day, even if this incident got plastered all over Twitter. Today would still be a good day.

He walked into class; most of the students hadn't arrived yet. If he had to guess, thirty per cent of them were present. Mike looked across the room and spotted Aiden.

Aiden sat with his back pressed against his chair. His deep-blue eyes looked out the window in a daze. As Mike approached, Aiden scratched his black mess of hair with vigor "what was her name again?"

"Sarah," James said with a smile. He threw himself into the seat just behind Aiden and slumped his bag onto his desk.

"No, that was the -" Aiden swiveled in his seat, his face - now glum. "I'm sorry, man. They had put it all in by the time I saw it"

"Don't worry, man," James said with a smile. "It's not your fault they weren't raised right."

Aiden scrunched his eyebrows, confused, "You okay, man?" He said, leaning in and resting his arms on Mike's Desk. "Those guys trashed your locker. Normally you would be throwing a fit. Or moping around."

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Aiden leant back and stared at Mike as if taking him in. "Who is she?"

"Pfft," Mike chuckled. "It's nothing like that," he said, waving his hand as if to fan away Aiden's guess.

"Oh," Aiden crossed his arms and leant back in, a mischievous grin crept onto his face. "Then what's got you so chill and ready to take on the world? If not, some attention from the ladies."

Mike rolled his eyes at his friend; this kid truly had a one-track mind. "I can't believe you forgot," he said as his eyes moved past Aiden. "Hey, Ben."

Correcting his glasses and pulling the handle of his backpack tight. Ben walked over with a serious expression. His eyes locked with Mike's. "I saw Joel and those two idiots outside the principal's office, looks like they got into some big trouble."

Aiden huffed as Ben sat in a seat across from Mike, "So they got what was coming to them. Also, hey." Aiden said, giving Ben a small wave. Ben nodded back.

Mike felt a little better hearing that at least it wasn't an attack with no consequences. It appeared Joel was losing his touch. "Anyway, what did I forget was happening today," asked Aiden.

"Well -"

"Isn't your brother coming back today," Ben interrupted. He had already got his books and pens on his desk, ready to start the lesson.

"And, of course, you didn't forget," Mike said with a smile. Ben, no matter what, always had a great memory. He wasn't too surprised he knew the answer.

"Ah crap," Aiden facepalmed. "I can't believe I forgot, and you've been going on about that since last week. I’m sorry, man."

"Hey, forget about it," Mike said, smirking. To which Aiden shook his head. "Besides, you've had a lot on your plate. Especially with the test next week."

Aiden's face dropped. "N-next week, goddammit," He turned back around and started rifling through his backpack. He pulled out a worn and old diary. Mike remembered it, and his heart warmed a little. He had gotten Aiden that over eight years ago, and while he didn't use it often, it was still warming to know he had it.

"Pfft," a scoff came from Mike's right. He looked over and saw Ben shaking his head at Aiden’s actions. If there was one thing that Mike didn't like about Ben, it was his arrogance towards others. Though it only came up regarding schoolwork.

As far as Mike knew. He often wondered if Ben thought he was better than everyone in general.

"Found it?" Mike asked, leaning over his desk, and looking over Aiden's shoulder. His diary was a mess of scribbles that Mike could barely understand, but he knew Ben did.

"Yeah," Aiden sighed. "I already got it noted for tonight's revision session."

"Good, Good," Mike said, grabbing Aiden's shoulder and giving it a shake.

Shortly after, the three boys and the rest of the class had their books out in front of them on their desks. A few of the students continued in quiet conversations. Mike and his friends were amongst them.

At 09:00, the school bell rang, and the teacher walked in. Miss Pen. She was a beauty; long black hair tied in a thick bun, deep green eyes that felt like they were looking into your soul. She was a dream.

When Mike thought about how this would be his last year with her before heading off to university. His heart would sink. She made coming to school that much more worthwhile and yet.

“All right, class," Miss Pen said. Her voice was like honey to Mike's ears. Sweet and addictive. "Today, we will be looking at, Native American History." She walked over to the board and got out a whiteboard pen. Each of her Movements had Mike hypnotized.

"We," her movements swift, "Will be." Each pen stroke carried an unknown grace to it. "Looking at the era of the Tomahawk tribe, everyone got that." Her eyes scanned the class like a hawk, looking for anything that might catch her attention."

"Miss Gross," Miss Pen said, her eyes locking onto a young girl sitting at the back of the classroom. Mike saw the girl’s hands shuffle as she shoved what looked to be a phone into her pocket and perked up.

"Yes, miss," the girl replied in a sweet but shaky voice. Miss Pen had caught her, and she knew it.

"Don't let me catch that phone out again, or I'll be keeping it till the end of the school day."

"Yes, miss," the girl said. She stared straight ahead. Mike assumed that she was reluctant to meet any other student's eye. Mike couldn't blame her. In front of him, Aiden hunched over and chuckled at her dismay.

There were twenty students in the class. Mike doubted Aiden was the only one.

"Right, let's continue," Miss pen said. She did a snap turn and walked to her desk.

Clop, as she took the first step, time seemed to slow down. Clop, a ripple came from her heel on the second step, like a rock thrown into a still lake.

Mike scrunched his brow; was he seeing things? How was it that possible reality doesn't work like that?

Clop. The world went white.