Chapter 1 Senior Year

CJ woke up feeling anxious, it was the first day of his last year at Cornelius Academy, as a high school senior he was supposed to be in school really early but he just lay there on his bed, his head faced up thinking about the summer that just passed, a lot had happened and there was a lot he planned to do that he didn't do but he just told himself that everything would work out as he moved on. He jumped down from his bed and went to brush his teeth, unlike most teenage boys his age, he shared a room with his twin sister, Hilda, he dreaded every single moment and was excited when he found out that he would be switching rooms with his elder sister this year since she graduated and would soon live alone.

He rinsed his mouth as he looked at his twin sister still sleeping soundly on the bed, he rolled his eyes and moved on to take a shower, he came out of the bathroom to find her awake and on her laptop as usual, she had started this blog about art and drawing since she herself is a great artist, so she was on her laptop nonstop drawing and creating different designs and she was good at what she did because from the beginning of the summer up until now she managed to acquire up to 500,000 followers, she was really influential.

CJ walked up to his closet and pulled out his senior year uniform, white shirt and jeans, the senior students of Cornelius Academy were allowed to accesorize their uniforms but the shirt had to be white, CJ put on his shirt and jeans with his white Nikes and slung his bag over his shoulder, he took a glance at his twin who was still glued to her laptop, murmured a see you later and left the room.

Getting downstairs he smelt a sweet aroma and met his father wearing a pink apron cooking breakfast in the kitchen.

"Hey kiddo want some eggs" said his father as he flipped a pancake on the stove.

"Sure why not". He set his bag down beside him grabbed a plate and dug in.

"Your sister still asleep" asked Henry, CJ's dad.

"No, on her laptop as always"

"Well when you have that many followers you have to learn to keep up"

"I know I just wish she paid attention to the real world"

"Yeah me too"

"So I suppose the reason you're cooking is because mom's already left"

"Yeah, you know she has that job interview today"

"Why does she need a job anyway we're already comfortable"

"Now hold on there young man, a job isn't just a source of income, she's doing it because that's what she loves doing, besides she gets bored sitting at home all day"

"I know"

Just then he got a message from Zoey, his best friend,

#Zoey: Where are you, better get here now.

#CJ: Okay be right there.

CJ got up, stuffed his mouth with his remaining breakfast and grabbed his bag.

"Sorry dad I gotta go, Zoey just texted me."

"Zoey, hmmm, is that your girlfriend"

"What no she's not, she's my best friend"

"Oh really well that explains a lot" said Henry with a playful smirk.

"Not funny dad"

"What !, I was just kidding, but CJ when are you gonna get a girlfriend its senior year"

"If only you knew"murmured CJ.

"What was that"

"Uh nothing see you later dad" with that CJ rushed out the front door and got in his car.

He drove to Zoey's house still thinking about the little joke his father had come up with, he was still thinking when he noticed someone running after his car, it was a girl with long, full curly hair, she wore a white crop top with a black denim jacket,a black mini skirt and white Jordans, she was running with one hand waving in the air and the other holding unto a blue jean bag.

"Oh my god Zoey" yelled CJ.

He backed up until he met the the worn out and out of breath face of his best friend, Zoey Anton.

"Are you crazy, you made me run all the way"

"Sorry I was lost in thought"

"LOST IN THOUGHT !, dude school hasn't even started and you're lost in... wait a second, you're CJ, you're never lost in thought unless..., no don't tell me you didn't tell them"

CJ looked down to the floor as if his car carpet was more interesting than the conversation he was having.Zoey rolled her eyes and got in the car, that's when CJ decided to drive, there was silence for a while until CJ broke the silence,

"I was going to"

"Then why the fuck didn't you"

"I don't know it was just never the right time"

"CJ you had all summer"

"I know it's just with my mum and dad finally back together and this big interview she's been prepping on and Hilda starting her blog, it's just..."

He took a pause.

"It didn't seem like the right time, everything was going perfectly and we were finally happy, I just didn't want to ruin it"

Zoey sighed and touched his shoulder.

"I know, I understand, but you're gonna have to tell them someday and it has to be before you graduate, you can't go to college with a secret like that"

"I know and I will it's just when I think they're ready"

"You mean when you think you're ready"

"Yeah"

They stayed silent for a while before Zoey decide to change the topic.

"So how do you feel about senior year"

"I feel like it's an adventure waiting to happen"

After sometime they got to the parking lot of Cornelius Academy, the place was practically empty excluding the few staff and senior students, the reason they were there was to welcome the freshman, like any other highschool Cornelius Academy had the freshmen, the sophomores, the juniors and the seniors. The seniors were supposed to use their different talents to welcome the freshman and so they had to come very early on the first day of school, as they walked through the double doors they saw the other seniors doing different things, some were making posters others were playing music as the first day of school vibes were ringing in the air, some students recognized them and waved while others were too focused on their work to pay attention to them.

They walked to the principal's office to ask for there assignments on their way there they were met by a senior, he had light brown hair, he wore glasses and had freckles all over his face, he wore a white short sleeved shirt and suspenders with black trousers and formal shoes.

It was Micheal, their other best friend.

"Hey Mike" said Zoey.

"Hey"

"How was your summer in Paris"

"Magnifique, how about you"

" Oh you know the usual working with my mom at the shop, and occasionally visiting my dad"

"Okay and what about you CJ"

"You know just doing me"

"You didn't tell them did you"

"No I did not"

Michael rolled his eyes.

"Is he serious right now"

"C'mon Michael don't be like that you know how things have been going at home"

"I know, I'm sorry but you're gonna have to say it at some point"

"I know"

"Okay enough of that where's your sister"

"On her way I guess"

"Good cause we really need her redesign of the school logo"

"Wait she's the one doing that"

"Yeah she's really talented, plus she's an internet sensation, and she's my type"

"Dude I do not appreciate you saying that about my sister"

"Whatever, you guys should get going I'm pretty sure Mr Lexton is waiting for you" said Micheal

With that they parted ways and the pair walked to the principal's office, they knocked on the door and a feeble come in sounded from within the office, they both entered to see Mr Lexton this year's principal aka the weirdest teacher in school, why he was the weirdest was because of a lot of things, first of all, his dressing, like today he wore his first day of school shirt which is a rainbow coloured shirt, with white overalls and socks and sandals, then his hair was a very bright orange colour with white highlights, he always looks like a clown but surprisingly it fit him very well.

"Good morning Mr Lexton" said CJ squinting his eyes from all the colour coming from Lexton.

"Aaaa, Carlos, I see you're here with your girlfriend"

CJ rolled his eyes.

"She's not my girlfriend Mr Lexton"

"Really wow well there goes that story, anyway these are your assignments for today"

He handed them each a piece of paper with instructions on them.

"Okay Mr Lexton thanks a lot"

With that they left the office and went down the hall, they both parted ways as they had different things to do.

An hour later...

The senior students of Cornelius Academy were standing waiting for the rest of the school, students started trooping into the school grounds, the juniors with their yellow shirts and black trousers, the sophomores with their blue shirts and white trousers and lastly the freshmen with their black shirts and white trousers, they looked perfect as they walked to the school auditorium where large scale events were held and this indeed was a large scale event, students looked with amazement as the seniors lined up side by side on the stage waiting for

the freshmen and the rest to settle down, when they settled Lucas, the social one, took the mic to welcome the students.

"What's up Cornelius Academy"

He was answered by a round of applause.

"Okay I hope you all had an amazing summer because this year is gonna be hell, especially for our freshmen"

He faced the freshmen and looked with a gaze that could chew you alive.

"But not to worry because we and by we I mean the school has assigned three students who will serve as your student counsellors for the year, please our lovely counsellors, can you move forward".

CJ, Zoey and another kid named Matthew stepped forward.

"Behold your student counsellors for the year,

Carlos, the emotional one

Zoey, the dancer and

Matthew, the musician."

CJ looked at all the students before him, he was ready to help all the students that needed help, maybe this would help him be open up to his parents.

"Okay counsellors please step back, the next set of people that will be assisting us this year are the student council, they will be the ones taking decisions that will help elevate the school, they have been selected by the school management"

Six students stepped forward from the line of seniors among them was Micheal.

"Students your student council"

A round of applause erupted in the auditorium.

"And the student body president is Micheal Storm"

Michael stepped out of the line and waved and once again there was applause.

"Okay folks that is it for today, you will find your locker number on the card your homeroom teacher will give you in it is your class schedule and the textbooks you'll need for the year, thank you and good luck"

The students stood up, you could see that they had already found friends among strangers as they trooped out if the auditorium the same way they trooped out.

Zoey looked at CJ, he was lost again as he looked at all the students leaving the auditorium.

"Hey, where are you"

"What, sorry"

"What are you thinking about now"

"Nothing it's just..., this is our last year here, I kind of forgot how magical this place could be, and we're never coming back after this year"

"Ugggh, you're being too emotional as usual, but I feel you, this place has some great memories"

With that they both went to homeroom.

Hours Later.....

The final bell rang as student's started walking out of the school building, CJ walked to his car with a copy of his class schedule and all his textbooks in his hand, he tried unlocking the car but his books fell all over the place, he sighed and started picking up the books, he had managed to pick all of them when he dropped them back again because of the voice that just spoke to him out of nowhere,

"Hey" said a very handsome guy.

"Oh my god, dude what the..."

"Hey Carlos"

"Lucious, what are you doing here you've already graduated"

"I know I just needed to take care of a few stuff before I left"

"What do you mean left"

"I got into NYU"

"That's amazing but NYU, that's miles away from here"

"I know that's why I'm here, I feel like I need to explain, I.."

"There's nothing for you to explain, I'm very happy for you"

"Are you serious, but what about.."

"What about nothing, I'm happy, I gotta go I need to settle in for the year"

CJ then hurriedly packed up his books, dumped them in the car and drive off without another word.

From a distance, Zoey saw the whole thing and sighed,

"Bad timing Lucious".

Hours later.....

CJ lay on the bed in his new room and breathed in the air of freedom from an annoying twin sister, he sucked in all the air and let it out in an exhale, then his mind went racing again, CJ didn't know why he couldn't stop thinking, it was annoying, he shut his eyes tight in the hopes that he would get tired just like that, his wish came true and he fell into a dreamless sleep.