As soon as he entered the school, the difference in hallways and people made his heart pound with nervousness. Throughout the school he walked, he would constantly have to check the paper in his hands that contained his schedule. This would be all the while he felt the eyes of other students that were definitely older than he was, walking and talking with their own friend groups. Dawn would avoid eye contact with any friend group that passed by him. In the distance, he can see Trex. His brows raise, wanting to go up to him, but he was already talking to someone else he didn't recognize. With hesitance, he went to the class he had to go to next.
The classroom was slowly being filled with students sitting in whatever seats they wanted. Dawn sat at the back of the classroom, in hopes that he wouldn't be asked any questions. Perhaps he can observe everyone else for these first couple of days in this new school before actually interacting with anyone new. He watched the other students, already labeling them in his head of who appeared "mean" and who seemed "nice". Doing this usually kept him clear from starting problems with anyone. As he sat there, he couldn't help but listen in to a conversation of two girls poking fun at a student they previously saw who was apparently weird-looking. Another pair was two boys excitedly explaining their progress on their video games at home. Everyone seemed to know someone but him, and that was a pitiful thought to have. Even in elementary school he didn't have many people he would consider a friend. He just was too nervous to speak to anyone at all. Everyone was intimidating in their own way. He will never know who one's true intentions are, and that is probably the worst thing in meeting a new person. How can anyone just be so carefree towards anyone at anytime?
"Dawn!"
Dawn snapped out of his thoughts, seeing the familiar boy he remembered to be Trex.
"You are in this class?" Dawn says, surprised to see him.
Trex nods vigorously and along with his usual grin. There was a small part of him that was glad to know he does have this class. Trex sat down onto the empty desk next to him. At least he knew someone in this classroom, even if it was vaguely. But he deep down, he thought that maybe Trex would rather be talking to someone else right now.
"Are you good at math? Maybe you can help me out through this one." Trex laughs to himself as he looks at him, a kind smile on his face.
"A little bit. I hope middle school math isn't too hard." Dawn replied back, not wanting to sound arrogant or something.
"We'll struggle together." Trex grinned as he gave a playful punch on Dawn's arm.
Dawn managed to make a smile from that, he laughed a little bit too.
After that, class went normally as he would have hoped for it to be. The teacher introduced herself as Mrs. Ladin and began asking students around for an icebreaker. Dawn sunk into his seat, not wanting to speak aloud to anyone here. He glanced at Trex, who was leaning forward in his seat, just waiting to say something. Dawn didn't even pay attention to what the other students were saying due to the pounding of his heart and trembling hands. The students were each introducing themselves in order by columns.
"Hey, it's okay," The familiar voice of Trex came back to him.
Dawn looks over at him, who's looking at him as well. Trex looked concerned for him.
"Nobody's gonna be paying attention anyway. It's gonna be a quick 10 seconds or something and then she moves onto the next person." He shrugs, smiling at him.
He didn't know what to say. In response, he straightens himself back up on his seat. They make a slow nod. It's going to be okay. He sighed.
"You!" The cheerful tone of the teacher says, looking over the students to gaze at Dawn.
Dawn awkwardly stands up from his seat, keeping his gaze down at his seat mostly, besides glancing at the teacher a couple times.
"I'm Dawn. I like..Playing video games..And walking outside." He says, before sitting down.
He could feel his own face burning up.
"Awesome! I don't play games often, but I did play a couple..I do not remember what game it was though." She laughs to herself, a nostalgic look on her face.
Nobody else laughs, so she moves onto the next row. Where several more students introduce themselves before it is Trex's turn. He stands up with a silly grin on his face. A bright expression. Dawn almost envies it.
"I'm Trex! I like to skateboard and—well, I'm not good at it yet. But I'm still learning. I practice everyday. Anyway, I also like playing video games too." He says cheerily before sitting back down.
"What games do you play?" One boy asks amongst the classroom, fully turned around in his seat to look at Trex.
"Oh I play a lot. Mostly pvp games." Trex says.
Trex sits down, but he would continue his conversation with the boy about video games and how they should play together someday.
Maybe I am boring.
The icebreakers continued until finally all the students were introduced.
The icebreakers seemed to take up most of the class time due to the students making small talk amongst each introduction, and the teacher adding in her own bit every once in a while, so by the time it was over, class was over as well. Dawn gets up, grabbing his bookbag to go out the classroom door before Trex catches up to him.
"Do you wanna maybe hangout after school? Like at your house?" He tilts his head at him.
Dawn raises a brow.
"Uh—sure. But I still have to talk about it with my mom."
Trex sighs.
"I forgot about that. But tell me after! Just like—knock on my door or something!" Trex says, before leaving in a hurry to the class he had to go to.
Dawn felt a tinge of excitement about heading home today.
Eventually, the school day was over before he knew it. He made it to his school bus, looking out the window, trying to spot Trex among the many students going to their own buses. He hoped Trex didn't forget his suggestion to play afterschool today, or he would definitely feel like he's pressuring him to play with him. Dawn spots the black dreads with dyed red on the ends coming closer to the bus.
"Here." Dawn says quickly, standing up slightly so Trex could see him as he came into the bus.
From there, the two sat there next to each other, with Trex carrying most of the conversation, rambling about his school day and how he didn't like half of the teachers he has. He was quite skilled in making Dawn laugh. He's never had a friend as energetic as Trex was. But he didn't complain about it. It was quite entertaining, really. No mean glares or comments that made Dawn feel bad about himself. Trex just freely expressed his thoughts with no hesitation.
"You're funny.." Dawn grins, hoping he doesn't sound weird when saying that.
Trex looks at him, his cheeks turning a darker shade, he smiles lightly and looks towards the window with a chuckle.
"I'm glad.."
With that, the two made it to their bus stop.
"Make sure to ask your mom, okay?" Trex tells Dawn, who nodded, hurrying to his house.
He was excited he got to have the chance to hangout with a new friend that liked playing video games too and wasn't a jerk. Dawn pulled out his keys, opening the door and heading inside.
Once inside, he spots his father heading upstairs, not even looking back to look at him. It brings him back to the reality of his home. Where laughing and talking with such energetic personalities wasn't seen often here.
"I'm home." Dawn says aloud, seeing his mother, who's back was facing him as she was in the kitchen, cooking. His mother looked back at him, strands of her hair falling over her exhausted face, her eyes having light circles under them. She smiles at him.
"How was school?" She says, her tone making it sound like she was using all her energy to sound decently okay.
"It was alright. But—I made a new friend, I think. His name is Trex." Dawn explained, getting a small smile on his face just talking about him.
"Trex? Have I seen him before?" She says, raising a brow.
Dawn shakes his head.
"He's our next door neighbor. He's really nice. I actually wanted to ask you if I could invite him over to come play with me here." Dawn says, clasping his hands together.
"Come over? He isn't one of those bad kids, is he?" She asked him.
Dawn almost rolls his eyes at the question.
"No. I said he's nice. He makes me laugh a lot and I want to play with him too." Dawn said.
He can see his mother contemplating the entire thing. Probably making up random scenarios in her head for "his safety".
"Okay, but only for a little bit..But no dangerous stuff. Don't come up with anything troublesome." His mother sighs.
Dawn grins.