The rest of my first day went by swiftly, and aside from Art, the day couldn’t have gone better. All except one class I had with Delilah. It was Math I had to attend on my own, but all my nerves went away when the handsome boy sitting next to me made me feel welcome in the class.

His name was Thomas, but he much preferred Tom. He was of an average height, around five-foot-seven, five-foot-eight at the most. He had a choppy dark hair with round chocolate brown eyes. His nose was small and slightly pointed, his pink lips were rather thin, and were even thinner when he smiled.

By the end of Math, I knew I had made another friend at this new school.

Delilah didn’t take a shine to him, though. According to Delilah, Tom’s twin sister, Suzanne, who was a cheerleader at Belleville High, used to tease her about her weight in middle school. Although Delilah appeared a little heavier than average, she look pretty healthy to me.

According to Tom, though, Suzanne wasn’t that kind of person anymore, despite some students viewing her as the stereotypical cheerleader. When I had met Suzanne, was fairly short at around five-foot-three with strawberry blonde hair and the pretty blue eyes. I found that she was a pleasant young woman and couldn’t understand by Delilah still held a grudge against her.

Furthermore, I couldn’t understand why Delilah held a grudge against Tom, who was entirely innocent in the whole thing.

However, when the four of us spent the entire lunch break together, Delilah seemed much happier which in turn made me happy, too. It amazed me how quick I had found three new friends, and I hoped they would later become my closest and best friends who I could trust with anything and everything.

Another two days had passed, and Friday was slowly coming to a close. Me and Delilah were in English going through the work Mr. Woodsen had set us at the beginning of class. When I had almost finished the second sheet, Delilah nudged me, “You wanna go to a gig with me tomorrow?” She asked in a whisper.

I hesitated before shrugging, “What gig?”

“There are a couple of bands playing at the club in town... My step-father’s... sister’s... friend’s... cousin’s son is playing there tomorrow night, and I told him I would go... I know that sounds really complicated how I know him, but it really isn’t; I see him quite a lot.”

I nodded along, listening to her, “What type of music does his band play? Oh, what’s the name of his band?”

Delilah looked around the classroom, making sure that Mr. Woodsen couldn’t hear our talk, “It’s called Leathermouth,” Her face scrunched up as if she thought the name was a little silly, if not crazy, “And they play, like, Punky type music, I guess... Hardcore? I don’t know, I don’t listen to that kind of music, but I promised I would go.”

I smiled at her. Even though I wasn’t into the type of music she had tried to describe, I sensed that she didn’t really want to go, and going alone was something she didn’t want to do either. I nodded, “Yeah, sure. What time?”

We spent the rest of the lesson talking about what would be happening tomorrow. I had invited Delilah to come to my house and we could get ready there before going to the club as my place was closer.

When lunch finally came by after History, Delilah and I proceeded towards the canteen to, what was now, our normal table in the far corner by the exit. I smiled when I saw that Tom and Suzanne were both already there with their lunches.

“Hey, where have you been? We’ve been here for about ten minutes now.” Suzanne asked just seconds after me and Delilah sat down.

“We got held back in History.” Was all I answered. I then thought about what Delilah and I were talking about earlier. I turned to her and whispered, “Do you wanna ask them if they wanna go to the gig as well?” Delilah thought about for a moment before nodding enthusiastically.

I looked back at the twins with a smile, “Hey, do you wanna go to a gig tomorrow? A friend of Delilah’s is playing... He plays... I guess heavy music.”

Suzanne’s eyes went wide with excitement, “Does he sound anything like Slipknot?” She asked Delilah. I was a little surprised at Suzanne’s comment. If I were to be stereotypical about her, Slipknot is definitely not the type of band I would imagine her listening to.

She hesitated, “I don’t know, I’ve never heard him play before... He says something about hardcore, but I don’t really know. I just promised I would go for support; it’s his first gig and he’s a little nervous.”

Both Tom and Suzanne said they would go and were both really excited about it, “I haven’t been to a gig in so long. There’s just nothin’ going on right now,” Tom stated.

The rest of lunch was spent talking about this gig and how exciting it was going to be.

My last class of the day was Art. It was a class I wasn’t looking forward to. When Delilah and I arrived late on Wednesday, from then on, Mr. Way hasn’t been pleasant towards me. Delilah has told me that being unpleasant was just how he was. He had been that way ever since anyone could remember. But still, it bothered me.

I felt that though Mr. Way felt a strong hatred for me. It was something I hadn’t seen between him and other students.

Fortunately, Delilah and I arrived on time, yet still this didn’t please him, “Just take your seats,” he ordered.

“Carry on with your work from yesterday. I don’t want any talking,”

I watched discreetly as Mr. Way crossed his arms over his chest, his face sullen. He quickly tapped his left foot repeatedly on the floor with no particular beat to it. He appeared frustrated, angry and stressed. I couldn’t understand why. There were people who are looking on the bright side of things, just like Mrs. Hudgens, the overly enthusiastic receptionist who gave me my map and other forms.

There were also people who had bad days, as I know I, myself, have had many times. But never have I seen a person who was constantly having bad days. Or bad years is the impression I’m getting from what others have told me.

My thoughts were interrupted when I saw a dark arm in front of me leaning back with the much folded piece of paper. It was Delilah. I took the paper from her and read the note inside, I just remembered – got dentist tomorrow. Can I get to yours for seven instead for the gig?

I quickly scribbled a reply, Sure. What was the name of the band? I forgot.

Leathermouth.

Just as I went to write another reply, the note was torn from my hands. I gazed up and saw Mr. Way’s dark eyes glaring at me. He briefly glanced at the paper as I saw his hands tighten on it, his breathing became heavier.

He shot a look at both me and Delilah, “Both of you... Detention tonight!” He roared.

I stared at my new friend in fright as did she.

I couldn’t help but think of what would happen in detention.