Too Young To Live This Way

''Hey, Austin!'' A voice calls behind me, just as I leave my house. I lock the door, and turn to see Shayley at the end of my path.
''Hi, Shayley!" I say, walking up to meet him. He smiles brightly at me, which makes me smile too.
''How are you?'' Shayley asks, in a tone that makes me think he actually wants to know, he's not just asking to be polite. He's nice like that.
''I'm fine, i'm good. You?'' I reply, nodding a little.
''I'm okay, can I walk to school with you?'' I nod in response, and we start to walk. ''I've never met anyone else living in this neighbourhood. There's a few people I know a couple blocks away, but not around here.'' Shayley continues.
''Have you been walking to school alone?'' I ask, surprised.
''For about a year.'' He smiles awkwardly.

I have Science, Chemistry first. I get put on a table with another person, who is called Justin. Apparently Justin will be my lab-partner in Chemistry. I'm just pulling my exercise book out, when Alan strolls into the classroom.
''Sorry I'm late, sir.'' He says, with a smirk identical to yesterdays.
''Alan, sit down! You were late yesterday too, weren't you? Keep it up and it'll be a detention!" The teacher scolds, but Alan just smirks behind a long fringe. He takes one sweeping look around the room, spots Justin and I in the corner, and meanders over.
''Alright, Trotta?'' He addresses Justin, nodding to me.
'' 'Sup.'' Justin grins, and reaches out to ruffle Alans hair. He pouts, and sits down on the nearest table, next to some girl called Hannah.

Justin and I try our very hardest on the experiment, but for some reason I keep getting distracted by the way the light reflects off of Alans hair. The experiment is to do with reacting metals, and apparently there's no way it could go wrong. Ha.
The moment Justin leaves to get some graph paper for our chart, the test-tube starts to fizz. I panic slightly, and put more metal in. Why did I do that? I think I had some idea it would like, squash it down or something. BOOM. The test-tube explodes, and shards of glass fly everywhere. I squeeze my eyes shut, but get my hands splashed in acid and glass shards in my forearms, and cheek. When I open my eyes again, i'm bleeding just a little, and everyone is crowded around.
''What happened here? Would you like to explain how you destroyed a simple experiment, Mr. Carlile?'' The teacher ask grumpily, getting annoyed after he finds out that i'm not seriously injured. How the fuck am I supposed to know? I think to myself angrily. A couple of jaws drop around the room, and Sir stares at me with open-mouthed horror. ''There's no need for foul language, Carlile! Detention!" Oops. Did I say that out loud? Oops.

I flop down in the corner of the detention room, making sure my back is against the wall, and no one can sneak up behind me. I completely ignore the female teacher sat in the corner, typing on her laptop; and she completely ignores me. There's no one else here, it's just me. I sigh, resigning myself to an hour of boredom. At least I have Music next.

About 5 minutes later, the door swings open, and a certain familiar ginger strolls in.
''Sit down, Mr. Ashby. No talking please.'' The teacher orders, before returning to her laptop. Alan sits down smack in the middle of the room. I'm guessing he's not paranoid about being attacked form behind. He flicks his hair, and stares over at me. I meet his gaze evenly, trying not to shiver at the intensity of the stare. He slowly and deliberately winks at me, then sighs loudly. He throws himself backward, tilting the chair on two legs. This earns a glare from the teacher, before she stands up abruptly.
''I have to go and do something. Sit still, don't talk, and don't even think about leaving. There is a teacher next door who will know if you sneak out, I will be back soon.'' She announces, before striding purposefully out of the room.
The moment she's gone, Alan thuds his seat back onto four legs, then turns toward me. ''Are you in here for that Science thing earlier?'' He asks, looking me up and down. I nod in response, and he huffs. ''I can't believe they gave you a detention for that.'' He mumbles.
''What are you in here for?'' I ask, slightly defensive.
''Ah, let's just say...attitude issues.'' Alan says sarcastically, smirking. Not long after, he turns to me again. ''We have Music next.''
''I know.''
''I've had an idea for the song. You might not like it, but whatever.'' He shrugs nonchalantly, but I get the feeling he's not that relaxed. I get this vibe that although he'd like to pretend he doesn't care, he really does. But then again, who doesn't truly not give a fuck? Definitely not me...
''Oh yeah? How's it go?'' I ask curiously.
''Gotta wait 'til Music.'' Alan grins, tapping his nose.

''Okay, so what's the big secret idea?'' I ask hurriedly, as Alan plugs his guitar into the amp. We both wince at the loud amp static.
''I wrote the chorus, and first verse of a song. It's alright, you might wanna edit it or something? And obviously help me finish it.'' Alan suggests.
''Lets hear it!" I grin, sitting myself down directly in front of him. He blushes a little, before fixing his eyes on the wall. Then, her stars to play, and sing. His voice is little rough, and wobbly, but I like it.
''I believe it's time for me to be famous, and out of place. I believe it's time for me to move forward, when I break through, when I break through. When I break through, when I break through. This time I'll make you, proud to see me over, come on daylight. proud of, who you raised. Your shelter, your peacefulness. So this time I'll make you proud. Proud of, who you raised up. You know that I will, always be here 'til the end.'' Alan stops and looks up at me. He blushes hard, when he sees my eyes fixed on him.
I rewind the lyric in my mind, they seem so perfect for my situation, but what could Alan possibly know?
''How- What inspired those l-lyrics?'' I stammer, blinking back tears.
"Oh, just my Mom and Dad. Like, I want them to be proud of me, especially my Mom. Did you like it?'' He explains, and I nod in response. I can't speak, there's a blockage in my throat, causing tears to prickle my eyes. I blink hard, but Alan sees. ''Are you okay, Austin?'' He asks, looking worried. I also register that this is one of the fist times he's called me my first name; he tends to call me Carlile.
I shake my head, stuffing a fist in my mouth. Alan looks nervous, and chucks his guitar aside. He drags his chair over to me, and puts an arm over my shoulder. It's a little stiff, a little awkward, but he still does it. I don' think I've ever seen him show any affection towards anyone!
''Austin.... ssshh.... what's wrong?'' He mumbles, hugging me carefully. I drop my guitar, and start to cry softly. ''Austin, tell me what's wrong. What can I do to help?'' Alan says more forcefully, patting my back.
''You can't do anything... my Mom. She- my Mom died. That's why I moved here. She's gone, and she's not coming back!" I sob, collapsing into Alan. He sits stiffly for a moment, before hugging me tighter.
''Austin... it'll get better, I promise. But now, you're going to come back to mine, and we're going to talk.'' Alan orders, squeezing my shoulders before releasing me. I nod, and wipe my eyes, trying to pull myself together.

Notes

Almost 100 views already! Thanks!
I would have updated yesterday, but the website fucked me over and deleted the whole thing, so I had to rewrite :(
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