Chapter 2: How Does One School?

The drive to school was uncomfortable; fortunately, I was pretty renowned for my inverted nature around my family, which my friends would find strange considering how I acted in school. As we made our way towards the school, the familiar sights and sounds of the morning commute did little to ease my nerves. I gazed out the window, lost in my thoughts, while my mother and sister chatted in the front seat. Despite their attempts to include me in their conversation, I found myself sinking into the backseat, trying to stay out of the spotlight. Every now and then, I would offer a brief response or nod my head in agreement, but for the most part, I remained silent, content to let them carry the conversation.

Having spent the last four years away from the public schooling system, the mere thought of returning to the hectic and chaotic high school environment filled me with an overwhelming sense of dread. The prospect of spending my entire day surrounded by immature teenagers and their endless dramas was enough to make me feel like there was a gaping hole in my stomach, and the sensation of nausea almost made me feel paralyzed with fear.

As the car screeched to a stop just a few steps away from the entrance to my school, my mum shifted in her seat and turned around to face me. I could feel her gaze on me, searching for any sign of hesitation or anxiety. My older sister stormed out of the car in a flurry of movement. She muttered a quick goodbye before striding purposefully towards her clique of followers already gathered near the entrance. Her words hung in the air for a moment before dissipating, leaving a palpable tension in their wake.

As I stepped out of the car, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The morning air was chilly, and the sky was a dull grey, reflecting the gloomy mood that was beginning to settle in my heart. My mother's eyes were distant, her mind preoccupied with the long day ahead at work. She tried to muster a smile, but it was a feeble attempt that couldn't hide her true feelings. As the car drove away, I was left alone, facing the imposing structure of my high school. The building's red brick walls towered over me, and the windows seemed to stare back at me with a cold and indifferent gaze. Inside, I awaited the monotony of lectures, the stress of exams, and the social pressures of teenage life. 

As my feet carried me closer to the looming building, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease wash over me. The boisterous chatter of my fellow students did little to calm my nerves, and I found myself lost in my own thoughts as I shuffled along with the crowd. With each step, my heart pounded in my chest, and my palms grew slick with sweat. It was as if the weight of the world was resting on my shoulders, and I wasn't sure I was ready for what lay ahead. Nevertheless, I steeled my resolve and continued on, my eyes fixed on the entrance looming before me.

As I stepped into the familiar building of my high school, a wave of memories washed over me. But it all felt so distant and out of place. I tried to navigate my way through the hallways, but my nerves made it difficult to concentrate. The walls that used to feel like they were my home now seemed like they were closing in on me. I could feel the weight of the past bearing down on me, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of being lost.

Fortunately, I heard a shout that caught my attention. "Tyler!" Hearing your name being called out loudly in a public place can be very uncomfortable, but this voice was one that I knew even better than my own. I turned around and saw something I hadn't seen in years - my two best friends, James and Mason.

James and Mason were my childhood friends with whom I shared a deep bond. Our friendship had roots that went back to our nursery days. Our parents were close friends and had known each other even before we were born. Growing up, we spent countless nights at each other's houses, indulging in our favorite pastimes. Late nights filled with playing FIFA, Call of Duty: Zombies, and football matches in the local parks and fields are still some of my core memories that I cherish to this day, even though we lost touch over the years.

As I gazed upon their youthful faces, memories from the past came flooding back, evoking a bittersweet feeling of nostalgia and sadness. However, I quickly masked these emotions behind my first genuine smile since journeying back through time.

Stepping into the school courtyard, I was filled with emotions. My heart raced as I looked around and saw my friends waiting for me. It was a moment I never thought I'd experience again - the feeling of belonging and acceptance. Standing beside them, I felt a newfound confidence and a sense of purpose. Everything seemed to fall into place, and I knew deep down that I was where I belonged.

James gazed at me with a smirk, a seemingly ever-present expression on his face, as he playfully asked, "What were you up to just now? You looked like you were lost in thought." On the other hand, Mason's eyes appeared much more severe as he observed me, as though he wanted to know what was going on in my mind.

As I addressed my friends, a grin instinctively appeared on my face. "Sorry, I'm late, guys. I've had a busy night," I explained. "I was playing FUT champs and was on a good streak, but after two consecutive losses, I decided to call it a night. However, I only managed to get six hours of sleep, so I might struggle to stay awake during maths," I added with a hint of amusement in my voice. James let out a hearty laugh while Mason's lips curved into a subtle smirk, acknowledging my statement.

As James prepared to respond to my question, the shrill sound of the school bell pierced through the air, causing him to cringe in frustration. He let out a quick curse, his previously good mood evaporating in an instant. I almost missed this moment, but as I grew older and learned about the emotional pain he went through, I became more attuned to his moods and behaviors. Despite this knowledge, I maintained a friendly smile and asked him what his next class was. After all, what was the point of having the ability to travel through time if I couldn't use it to fix my past mistakes?

James' mood suddenly shifted from good to annoyed as he spoke, "I've got complementary studies." The frustration in his voice was evident as he thought about his struggles in school. Complementary studies were designed for students like him who found it difficult to learn and keep up with the curriculum. He would eventually fall in with the wrong crowd, which would cause a rift between him and his friends, including myself and Mason.

Suppressing any indication of my innermost thoughts, I shifted my gaze towards Mason and spoke up. "Looks like we have English class next. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we won't have to endure another session of dissecting 'Of Mice and Men'." Despite my hopeful tone, I couldn't shake off the memory of my previous experiences with the book and the likelihood of a similar discussion today. However, I chose to keep this to myself for the time being.

As Mason and I began our walk towards the English building, my gaze kept drifting back towards James, who was deep in conversation with one of the notorious troublemakers in the school. Fears of whether I'd be able to save my friend from a grave mistake kept racing through my mind, causing me to feel anxious and unsettled all the way to my class...