Chapter 2: The Dim Light Burning in My Heart

Jake and I talked about some stuff. Mostly school related things like what clubs and sports we were going to participate in. I really don't talk about that type of stuff but it was actually pretty calm and fun. I think the sport I'm going to try out is track and field. I was always good at running away from bullies and I always did if fast. For clubs, I'm not sure. Jake said he was going to join track and field as well. I believe we start trying out for sports tomorrow. I wonder how many other people are going to join track.

The school day ended and I walked Jake to his house. I wanted to get home as late as possible. Going back home would ruin my mood completely. After I walked Jake home I went to a nearby park. I sat on the bench and pulled out some of my homework. I quietly started my homework as I thought about the next day of school. I was actually quite excited for school. I get to see my friend Jake and I get to try and accomplish something. After I do my homework I'll train for the try outs tomorrow.

When I finished my homework and training I headed back home. As I was walking towards my house, my mood became more and more depressed each step I took. Why was I born to such a family? I wouldn't mind my life so much at the moment if it wasn't for those people. Middle school is over so I can't change the past but I can at least make a better present and work on a more exciting future. But these damn assholes I call parents ruin my present life and will ruin my future life by not giving a flying fuck about me. I sighed.

When I arrived to my horrid looking house I just stared at it with a blank look. After a while I walked inside to be greeted by a sleeping Peter holding a beer can in his hand and drool spilling out of his mouth being soaked into his jungle of a beard. Of course he was in that same spot on the couch since I left the house.

As I went toward my room I said quietly, "I'm home fat-ass."

When I got to my room I put my bag near my cluttered desk and I jumped onto my bed. I just laid there thinking about what Jake told me. That stuff about finding the right person and achieving bliss. Can that really happen for a person like me? Arrrgh! Damn parents. If only I was born to a better family I would've been raised better and I could've had a better middle school life which will lead to a more confident me. Then again…I am putting all the blame on them. It is partially my fault. I let them ruin me. I didn't bother saying anything to them or doing anything about my situation in school. I just let all that shit fall upon on me. Whatever. I finally made a friend and I'm excited for school tomorrow. I'm going to try and build myself all over again. I'm in a new school with new people. I'll try to make a bunch of friends and I'll study hard to get into a good college. Once I do I can work on to a great career that will support my future family and me. I will not turn my family into this mess. I'm pumped for tomorrow!

With that being said I should shower and head to bed. I stayed outside a bit too late. I grabbed my towel and change of clothes and went to the shower. Once my shower finished I went straight to my bed and fell asleep.

Once I awoke the next morning I quickly went to the bathroom and got my breakfast. A small piece of toast with butter and a glass of juice. Afterwards I went to the bathroom and brushed my teeth and then quickly pulled out a set of clothes. Baggy jeans and a plain orange shirt. I also grabbed a pair of athletic shorts and a tank top to change into for the try outs. I then reached for my bag and then left the house. Today is the day I start anew.

As I was walking towards my school I saw Jake and I dashed toward him.

"Hey Jake." I said.

"Oh, hey Ryan. You ready for the try outs?" He replied back.

"Yeah. I'm confident that I'll make the team. I have experience in running and I have great stamina. Do you think you'll be able to make it?"

"Pfft. Of course I will! I was the fastest one in class. Every time I was chased down the hall I would out run everyone and I'll be on the bottom floor in 30 seconds flat."

"Well then I hope you get in so we can be on the same team. With us two we'll be an unstoppable track team."

"Yeah man, you said it!"

I smiled and kept on talking to Jake until we reached the school. You know; I'm pretty calm right now. What a great feeling!

After about three classes it was time for the try outs. The track was in the back of the school and it was HUGE! When we got to the back of the school I went up to the coach with Jake and we told him that we were there to try out.

"Well guys. You don't have to try out to join. This year we don't have a lot of people trying out so we're just taking people in. Welcome to the team!" The coach said.

"Really? How many people decided to join?" I replied back

"Well you two and those five over there."

"That's it?!" Jake exclaimed.

"Yup. I'll introduce you to them. Three of them are first years as well so you may know them."

He called the other five towards us and introduced them.

"Alright. The girl all the way to the left is, Kaitlyn. The guy next to her is Robert. The guy next to him is Dylan. The one next to him, her name is Michelle and the girl next to her is Julia."

"Nice to meet you guys. My name is Ryan." I said.

"My name is Jake. Nice to meet yous." Jake said.

"Hey~ I'm so glad there are others who decided to join track! It would've been boring if it was just us five." Kaitlyn said very happily.

"Yeah. Great to meet you guys as well." Dylan said.

"Alright guys, we're going to test how fast you can run around the track. Ryan and Julia, can you guys get the hurdles from downstairs?" The coach said.

"Hurdles on the first day? Shouldn't you see how fast it takes us to run around the track without the hurdles first?" Robert replied back.

"Yeah but we're doing hurdles right after. Ryan and Julia, now."

"R-right coach." I replied back.

I walked with Julia back into the school building and I just have to say…she was so pretty! She had perfect posture and walked with her hands behind her back. She had long blonde hair reaching to the bottom of her back. Her eyes were crystal blue and she wore a red bow on the top left side of her head in her hair. She was also wearing really short athletic shorts and a blue t shirt. She had a very skinny build and her skin looked really smooth. She was also about 3 inches shorter to me but she had long legs for her height. Man! She looks like a model! I decided to start up a conversation with her.

"H-hey Julia. Um…why'd you join track?"

She smiled and said, "Well I was on the track team in my last school. I also didn't want to join cheerleading like everyone else. I'm so good in track! Why'd you join track?"

I was pretty shocked actually. She replied back so heartwarming like and her voice sounded so pure and cute.

I snapped out of my short shock ad replied back, "O-oh well…heh heh, it's a long story. Um…w-what school were you in?"

"Oh, well I was in this random public school. Nothing big. I came to this school because my friends were going here though…I think it would've been more beneficial for my life if I went to another school…"

"Then why can't you? You should do whatever you can to succeed in life. Don't let peer pressure get to you."

"Wow, you're the first one who told me to chase after my ambition instead of making me feel guilty for leaving my friends behind…"

"W-well…I'm just saying, I think that's the better choice you know, heh heh…"

She smiled and looked at me. Her eyes looked innocent and I couldn't stop gazing into them.

"Um, Ryan? Is there something on my face?" She said.

"Wh-what..oh no. Sorry, it's just that your eyes are so beautiful. I couldn't stop looking at them. Hahaha…" I replied back.

She blushed a bit and said, "R-really? You think they're beautiful? Th-thank you. Haha, another first in doing. You're the first to compliment my eyes instead of my breasts or something. Haha you're taking a lot of my firsts!"

"What…"

"What…oh! I-I didn't mean to say that…umm...this is a bit awkward haha…sorry, I'm such a klutz."

"No, it's fine, I know you didn't mean it like that."

"Haha, yeah. We should really get those hurdles before we get yelled at."

"R-right. Let's get them."

We rushed to the sports locker and got the hurdles.

Julia…she gives me this weird feeling in my chest. It feels kind of good actually…what is this? It makes me happy and warm inside. It feels similar to what I felt when I became friends with Jake but this is a bit stronger and a tad different. It makes me happier. I wonder…

As we were walking back to the coach, Julia asked me, "What school did you come from?"

I was silent for a bit. After a couple of seconds I said with anger, "A school full of selfless incompetent assholes. The worst school ever."

"I'm- I'm sorry, I asked. I didn't mean to bring anything bad up." She replied back frighteningly.

"No it's ok. It's almost behind me now. I'm in a new school with new people so I don't have to worry about it anymore. What's done is done. I can't change anything."

"You know Ryan. You're a very different person from many others. In a good way obviously, we should talk some more. I like talking to you."

What she said right there got me so happy. The feeling in my chest became a lot stronger, so strong that it forced me to make a complete smile.

"You're smiling pretty big right now Ryan. But you won't be smiling after I beat your time on the track!" Julia said happily.

"Haha! You're on!" I replied back.

We headed toward the track and we got ready to do our run. Julia and I were lucky enough to be racing against each other so we can see who was faster. The coach counted down from three and we started to run. Julia and I were neck and neck but then suddenly she tripped. I stopped in my tracks and turned around to catch her in my arms. Luckily I did.

She looked at me and said, "Thank you! H-how did you—"

"I'm not a vampire." I said jokingly.

She chuckled a bit but then flinched in pain.

"Oh man, you seem really hurt. I'll take you to the nurse." I said worriedly.

I picked her up in my arms and looked at the coach.

"I'm going to take Julia to the nurse. Is that ok?" I asked.

"Sure it's fine. Hurry back." He replied.

I continued to walk towards the building while carrying her. Hmm…she's pretty light…Ah, that's not the point, gotta get her to the nurse.

"What's hurting you, Julia?" I asked in a concerning tone.

"I think I might have sprained my ankle. It's nothing. Um, I really have to thank you. You're so caring!" She replied back.

"Haha, thanks. That means a lot considering what I've been through. Do you still want me to carry you?"

"No it's ok. You can let me down."

"Alright then."

I let her down and she stumbled a bit. I caught her arm and put it around my neck.

"I got you don't worry."

She smiled and held on to my neck a bit harder. "Thank you, Ryan. You really are a great person." She said softly.

That pretty much ended my school day. I wanted to walk back with her but she got picked up by her father. Before she left she told me, "I'll see you tomorrow, Ryan."

I waived back at her and smiled. Once the car drove off Jake put his hand on my shoulder and said, "Buddy. I think this is your special someone."

I replied back pretty fast saying, "N-no way! It's not that easy…and besides, she doesn't like me like that. We only talked for one day. It can't be possible."

"Love happens randomly Ryan. It's different for everyone. You got lucky and found her in freshman year of high school and on your second day of school. Congratulations!" Jake said in a happy friendly tone.

"Well even if it may be her. She wouldn't want to be with me forever. She'll probably get tired or bored of me and would rather want someone more spontaneous and stuff."

"How do you know that? She may be one of those girls who just want to find true love asap. It's rare but hey, it's possible. From the look of her eyes when she said bye to you, it looked like she wanted to stay longer and talk with you."

"I don't know about that Jake. Let's just get home."

Can she really be that someone? I only talked to her for a day and yet I feel like I'm completely empty when she's not around. This has to be infatuation. This is not love…I don't even know what love is at my age. Man…I'm confused…

A/N: A dim light has bestowed upon Ryan. Will the light become brighter? Thank you for reading! R&R