Just Think Happy Thoughts

3 DAYS LATER

There I was, amongst the halls of my new school, Belleville High. This is where I would spend my junior and senior years. I was already lost before first period but that was to be expected. I did, however, manage to find my locker. I didn’t bother dressing any differently like everyone else does, excited for their first day of school. I wore my usual get up, which consisted of all black most of the time. Today I had on a black band tee of my favorite band, black skinny jeans that were way too tight, and a black pair of combat boots. My hair was down as per normal but it was looking extra beach wavy. As I walked the halls I noticed how different the atmosphere felt from California. The kids were a lot different, much louder and obnoxious than I was used to. The bell rang signaling first period and it seemed as though no one really gave a fuck because there were still a multitude of students in the hall. I was still wandering lost when finally I reached the classroom I was looking for.

“Ah here it is. Room 221, Art class” I said to myself. I walked in and all eyes were on me. I hated that feeling. It stirred up my anxiety and it didn’t help that some of the kids were whispering and laughing, making me feel more self conscious.

“Oh you must be Kairi” the teacher said as I approached him. I nodded. “I’m Mr. Bender, nice to meet you. Would you like to introduce yourself to the class then?”

“No” I replied, which caused Mr. Bender to give me a perplexed look and some of the students started whispering again.

“Okay, well why don’t you take a seat so we can begin class” he said. I walked to the back of the classroom and took a seat next to a guy with shoulder length black hair and hazel eyes that were kind, but plagued with misery. He had on thick black eyeliner and was also dressed in all black. I sat next to him because I figured this would be the kind of person who would just leave me the fuck alone.

“Shit…” he whispered to himself. I peered over to see him ripping a page out of his sketchbook and crumbling it up. He looked up and before I could look away we locked eyes.

“Uh… I was just…” I started, not knowing what to say. I shifted in my seat. It was one of those awkward moments.

“You… ” he began. I looked at him questioningly.

“Um what?” I asked him. I just had to get caught staring at him. He probably thought I wanted him. But what he said next was unexpected.

“Can I draw you?” he asked me. I sighed in relief.

“Oh um, sure I guess. This is art class” I said and then laughed nervously.

“I’m sorry if that’s an awkward question. I really love art class but lately I’ve been lacking inspiration. When I looked at you though, I don’t know something sparked within me. I guess you were the inspiration I needed and I don’t even know who you are. And you’re wearing a fucking Ashes to Ashes shirt. Who are you? I’m Gerard. This is literally the most I’ve ever talked to a stranger. I’m sorry. I’ll let you speak now.” He smiled at me brightly, the eyes that were before plagued with misery, now full of hope.

He had given me a mouthful but everything he said easily made me like him. I smiled back at him. “I guess you weren’t paying attention when I walked in. I’m Kairi. I just moved here from California. I’m glad I could be your inspiration. And yes this is an Ashes to Ashes shirt. You listen to them?”

“Are you kidding me? Ashes to Ashes are fucking legends!” he declared. He shuffled through his backpack for something.

“You really think so?” I asked him.

“Think so? No. I know so. Check this out” he said as he handed me something.

“A guitar pick?” I marveled. I flipped it over and noticed the etched in design on the back. “Oohh..”

“Yeah, not just any guitar pick. It’s…”

“It’s Seth’s guitar pick from Ashes to Ashes” I finished for him. I clutched the pick to my chest. My eyes started to burn and my chest started to tighten but before it could get worse I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up.

“Hey… you alright?” Gerard looked at me with concerned eyes. He patted my back reassuringly. “Man they must have been really important to you too. It’s okay because they still live on in their music and in our hearts.”

“You’re right” I said as I handed the pick back to Gerard. I tried my best to put on a smile again and shake off the thoughts that had been buried deep within me for years. I couldn’t let those thoughts get to me now.

“Of course I am. I mean it was terrible what happened to them but I’m just glad they left behind something so monumental. And this pick, this was my mom’s. She caught it at one of their shows. I still can’t believe she gave it to me” he told me. He stuffed the guitar pick back into a small pocket in his backpack.

“Well be careful with it. You wouldn’t want to lose it” I said seriously. I would have had a guitar pick like that in a trophy case, no joke.

“Oh there’s no way I would ever lose it. I usually have it on display at home but I actually brought it today for my friend. He’s in a music class and they’re talking about bands today so he wanted to bring this in” he explained.

“Oh I see. It was just a pure coincidence you had it on you today. Well I’m glad I got to see it. Thank you.”

“Sure. Now may I draw you?” he asked again. I chuckled and nodded.

“Yes you may” I responded. I turned my chair towards him so he could get a better look at me.

The class continued with Gerard and I talking the whole time, hardly paying attention to what was going on in the front of the class. The teacher didn’t seem to mind, he turned out to be pretty cool. I had no idea what the assignment even was but I decided to figure that out later. I was too unbelievably shocked by the events that had occurred in the past few minutes. It was only first period and I had already met a potential friend. I just prayed it wouldn’t go downhill from there.

Notes