"Shouldn't you be studying?"
"Nah, if it's not in my brain now, it won't be later"

"Hey!" Rider calls as Clyde and I step into the building.
"Hey!" Clyde calls.
"Excited for our test in science?" I ask.
"Absolutely not," Rider answers.
"Also no," Clyde sighs.
I nod, "same," then head off towards the orchestra room.

As the class quiets down and begins taking the test, out of the corner of my eye, I see a hand shoot up. Knowing the hand belongs to Mary, I watch as Mr. Sharp sighs and rises from his desk. This is going to be a long class for him... why does she even take science anymore? I swear she just takes it to piss him off- she's a senior, just like the rest of us- I just take science because I like it.
I attempt to shake away the thoughts and focus on my test.

"God, I feel bad for that man," Rider laughs as we walk out of the classroom after the bell, "that girl is ruthless."
"You don't have to sit next to her," Ashley groans.
I glance to Ashley sympathetically and open my mouth to speak but Rider beats me to it.
"How do you get anything done when she won't shut up?" Rider asks, pretending to strangle the air in front of him.
Ashley taps at the Bluetooth ear bud still in her ear.
"Fucking genius," Rider breathes.
We all burst out laughing, struggling to breathe as we split and go our separate ways.

I prop my phone up against my backpack at the end of my bed and adjust myself to face it. It begins to ring and I immediately answer the call, excitement bringing a huge smile to my face.
Ash's screen is the first to load. I wave to her excitedly and the two of us begin to talk as we wait for Jake's screen to finish glitching into view.
His audio cuts out for a second, but after that it's clear.
"How is everyone this fine evening?" Jake asks.
"Happy birthday Jake!" Ash and I chourus.
I hear laughter from what I assume to be Zack and Jake's computer gets adjusted slightly so that both boys are in view.
I smile, feeling my cheeks grow hot as I look at him.
"You guys having a birthday sleepover?" I ask.
Both boys nod and Zack begins to speak.
"I'm planning on giving him a great sharpie tattoo while he's asleep, really celebrate the eighteenth birthday," he jokes.
"Oooo great plan," I laugh, "any specific design?"
"Probably something very inappropriate, probably on his forehead," Zack nods.
"You may wanna sleep with one eye open, Jake," Ash laughs.
"Or not at all-" Jake breaks off.
"I just want to make it a great birthday!" Zack shrugs.
"Sure, that's your motive," I laugh.
I wiggle around during the pause in conversation, adjusting my knees but staying in the criss-cross position. Im desperate to tell them my good news, but I also want to keep it a secret and surprise them when I show up after winter break. I haven't even told Clyde that I'm for sure leaving- will my friends here miss me like my friends back home do now?