Keeping Hope - 2. Chapter 2

Keeping Hope Chapter 2

 

“Okay. Goodbye.” He said, he all of a sudden got quiet and reserved. Hmmm…I’ll come see him tomorrow after we get furniture. We say goodbye to Mr and Mrs Weir and head home.

 

“Thank god! Those guys are so uptight! Hate to be their son!” He said.

 

Celeste chuckled. “Yes, I am going to struggle with them! I can’t spend too much time with them or I’m going to throttle her! Well figuratively anyway.” I laughed and we went inside.

 

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The next day I was woken to ‘Sail’ by AWOLNATION blaring out of my new dock. I started singing along.

“TURN IT OFF! SOME OF US DONT HAVE TO GET UP YET!” Andy yelled from his bedroom.

I reached up to turn it off and got out of bed. I went to my bathroom and showered and got dressed. I wore my grey skinny jeans, a grey and white sweatshirt and my puffer jacket. I grabbed an apple and walked out the door. I started walking to the bus stop down the road as I walked past Hope’s house I could feel something drawing me there. So I went to the door and knocked on it, a few moments later a frazzled looking Mrs Weir opened the door.

“And you are…?” She said.

 

“Um, Asher. Andrew’s kid?” I replied, a bit confused.

 

“Oh, right. What do you want?” She asked annoyance playing in her voice.

 

“Um is Hope around?” I asked.

 

“Come in, he’s probably getting ready for school or something.” She said like she didn't care at all.

 

That troubled me deeply. I walked up to Hope’s room and knocked on the door. I waited for him to answer. Ten seconds later he opened the door, he was wearing black skinnys and a black and white sweatshirt.

 

“Hi…” I said.

 

“Hi?” He said back.

 

I giggled “Wanna catch the bus with me?” I asked.

 

“Um… I suppose.” He said.

 

I sensed he wasn't sure.

“I mean I could go by myself but its always better with a friend.”

 

“Yea, okay come on before we miss it.” He said, he grabbed his bag and stuffed his iPod inside.

 

We walked past the kitchen, he grabbed a liquid breakfast and we left without saying goodbye.

We meandered down the street in silence. I could hear the birds chirping and trees rustling in the gentle breeze. We drew nearer the bus stop and I started seeing more and more kids our age, I had no inclination to make friends with any of them. He stopped ten meters short of the bus stop.

“You go ahead. I’ll see you on the bus.” He said quietly.

 

“Naw, I’ll stay with you.” I said smiling.

 

He just shrugged, I wondered why he said that. I guessed I would find out later, I was correct.

 

The bus pulled up and we clambered on with the rest. I noticed Hope get pushed around so I grabbed his arm and dragged him forward. Once we were on the bus I sat him in the front seat with me.

 

“Sooo what have you got first period?” I asked him.

 

“English, you?”

 

“I’m not sure. Can you take me to the main office so I can get my timetable?” I asked him.

 

He nodded. He pulled out his iPod and headphones and offered me one. I took it and we listened to Simple Plan. The rest of the bus ride was pretty un-eventful apart from a few bits of orange peel thrown at us, which I threw back twice as hard. He stared out the window the whole ride, ignoring everything around him. We got to school and I saw his expression darken.

 

We walked in the front door and he said goodbye. I went and talked to the office lady and she directed me to attendance down the end of the hallway. I got there and she acted if I was hassling her to do her job. Lazy bitch. Period One : English. Good I hoped it was Hopes class.

 

I followed the map I was given and came to a halt outside a wooden door, I knocked and walked in. The class was reading, the teacher looked up.

 

“Asher?” She asked, she had a country kinda twang in her voice.

 

“Yes Miss.”

 

“My names Ms. Vogel, but I answer to Miss as well. Just grab out a book and silent read for ten.” She said, she seemed nice enough.

I scanned the class for Hope and saw him sitting at a desk in the corner, by hiMs.elf. I walked over and pulled his headphone out, he looked up fearfully. He saw it was me and calmed down. I pulled the cold, blue plastic chair away from the table and sat. I pulled out my new copy of The Giver by Lois Lowry, I read that a lot in my past. I brought the whole quartet for myself.

 

Ms.. Vogel started the class by handing out Shakespearian sonnets that we had to un-pack and change to modern English. Ms.. Vogel stopped for a second when she saw me sitting with Hope. She smiled and handed us our sheets.

 

“Asher may I have a word with you in my office?” Ms.. Vogel said.

 

“Um, yea sure…” I replied.

 

She led me to a door at the side of the classroom and opened it for me. The room was about half the size of the classroom and there were a few desks scattered around, I guessed it was for the other English teachers. She sat at her desk and offered me a seat on the other side.

 

“Now Asher, welcome to our wonderful school. I am the head of the English department and obviously your teacher. We have a half hour every day between period three and four called ‘tutor time’. You have been put in my tutor group.” She said smiling.

 

I nod.

 

“I have noticed you know Hope…?” She stated, her face growing serious.

 

“Yeah he’s my neighbour and we sorta got to know each other.”

 

“Don’t hurt him. He hasn't had a good friend for a LONG time, he needs someone. He is my best student, always getting excellence and I offer him sanctuary in my class at lunch time.”

 

“Oh, that’s not fair! He’s a nice guy!” I exclaimed.

 

“Yes I know, just keep him safe, please.” She sighed.

 

I nodded “I will, trust me.” I said with finality.

 

“Good, I need to go down to the office and collect some more printing. Back to class!” She said joyfully.

 

I walked back to the door and walked in, I looked to see a group of guys surrounding Hope. I felt his fear and helplessness like a hammer to the face. I walked over to the one whom I suspected to be the leader and pulled him away. They all turn to look at me, the one I pulled back shoved me into the table. I turned around and pushed him into a chair. The class was silent. I walk back to the table and sit by Hope, who was gawking at me. The others all slowly walked away.

 

“Why did you do that?!” Hope whispered sharply.

 

“Coz your my friend and I was protecting you.” I replied back.

 

He looked at me quizzically and then looked away, pained expression etched on his angelic face.

 

“Come on let’s get this done!” I say.

 

He nods and we start unpacking the poem. When we were about half way through when Ms.. Vogel walks in and looks in our direction, smiles at me gratefully as if she knew what had happened. I give her a weak smile back.

By the time we finish the poem nobody else has made it past the seventh line. Ms.. Vogel walks over to inspect our work and she said we did great. She then told us to head to the library and pick out some good books for a wide reading assessment.

 

“Sooo what’s wide reading?” I ask Hope.

 

“It’s like a book summary, well I suppose it is. You write about what happened in the story, but not giving too much away.” He explained.

 

I could see that he was slowly opening himself up to me, slowly but surely. We walked around the library and picked our six books, we discovered we had similar taste in literature. We went back to the class and found Ms.Ms.. Vogel surrounded by people needing instruction on how to do it properly. I chuckled, shook my head and wondered to myself how they ended up in an advanced class. The end of the period drew nearer and Hope looked at my timetable. We had nearly all the same classes but we were in different tutor groups.

We left the class early, thanks to Ms. Vogel.

 

We walked to science and I had noticed Hope had taken off his headphones, which surprised me because he has had them on since we were on the bus. Good sign? Hopefully. We waited in the cold, sombre corridor for the teacher to finish her current class. The door opened with a shrill squeak and a stream of white shirts came out. Mrs Shimizu walked out, I suspected a Japanese woman but a short, dumpy european walked out.

 

“You must be Asher?” She said, she had a British accent.

 

“Yes Miss.” I said.

 

“Okay then, we are in a seating plan so come in and I’ll sit you somewhere.”

 

I nodded.

 

“Konichiwa Hope kun, ongenki desu ka?” She said to Hope.

 

“Ma ma da, anata wa?” He replied.

 

“Genki desu, come in!” She said looking at me.

 

We went into the lab and Hope walked to his desk and Ms. Shimizu put me at a desk in the front row. Slowly the rest of the class dribbled in, someone sat by me. He had short blond hair and deep blue eyes. He spoke to his friends behind him, he sounded like he was a farmer.

 

“Ewsh who are you?” He said to me.

 

“Asher.” I said, he reminded me of someone who used to be a dick to everybody.

 

“Haha you’re a yank!” He half yelled.

 

“Haha you’re a hick!” I replied in the same obnoxious tone.

 

“Oi you making fun of where I come from?!”

 

“No he’s simply making an observation Ben.” Mrs Shimizu said.

He shut up and sat back in his chair. She smiled at me a continued on with the lesson. We were doing genetics, turned out I was best in the class for the topic. The period went by fast, copying my every answer.

 

We filed out of the classroom and I waited for Hope to come out. He came out a few minutes later and looked surprised.

 

“Why are you still here?!” He said.

 

“Well first off I don’t know anyone here, second your my friend so I’m with you forever.” I said poking my tongue out.

 

“Right… I’m going to Ms. Vogel’s class. You can come if you like?”

 

“Sure!”

 

We walked up the stairs to her class. He opened the door then locked it behind him.

 

“She lets me in here at interval and lunch to get away from…” He trailed off. I sensed he didn't want to talk about it at that time. We sat and ate our interval, with The Killers playing and us talking. Sometimes he opened up, but then he would clam up quickly. By the end of the twenty minute break we had gotten to know each other a bit more.

 

When the bell rung we headed off to our P.E class (Which ironically could stand for Pointless Exercise). The gym foyer was full of people waiting to get into the changing rooms, Hope slowed a bit so I slowed to. We stood near the doors for a few minutes waiting for the teacher. When he turned up he unlocked the changing and yelled something incoherent then walked back to the gym. I didn't have my gear so I dropped my bag and went in search of the incoherent teacher.

 

**HOPE’S POV** (At Hope’s house…)

 

I had my iPod on, headphones in my ears playing ‘Battle Born’ by The Killers. I was thinking about my life and how bad it sucked. I mean I’m sure people have been through worse but I was so close to the edge. I didn't like to have friends, I preferred to be alone, I didn't want another person to let down. I didn't need another person to worry about me, a hopeless case.

 

Through my headphones I heard a knocking at my door, I pulled myself out of my reverie and opened it. I was surprised to see Asher standing there.

 

“Hi…” He said smiling.

 

“Hi?” I said, not believing he was here. He giggled.

 

“Wanna catch the bus with me?” He asked with the same infectious smile.

 

“Um… I suppose?” I replied, not wanting to but I didn't want to disappoint him.

 

“I mean I could go by myself but it’s always better with a friend.” He said quickly.

 

“Okay, come on before we miss it.” I said with a small, hidden smile.

 

I stuffed my iPod in my bag and lead him out of my room…

 

**ASHER’S POV** (Back at school…)

 

As I wandered through the monotonously coloured gymnasium I glanced at the far wall and saw a younger kid, head in his hands. My first instinct was to walk over and see him but it felt wrong, it felt as though I shouldn't help him because I have Hope to worry about. So I continued to walk to find the PE office.

 

Before me was a door marked PE OFFICE, I decided this is where I needed to go. I knocked on the door and a taller man opened the door.

 

“Yes?” He said.

 

“Um, I’m new here… Can you tell me who my teacher is?” I said.

 

“Rex! Get over here!” He yelled back into the office.

 

“What?!” Mr Incoherence replied.

 

“Your new student is here!”

 

“Oh… Um… Bring him in.” He yelled, again I barely understood him.

 

I walked into the office and saw the guy who unlocked the changing rooms, he got up and shook my hand.

 

“Name’s Mr Hall, you must be Asher.”

 

“Yes sir.”

 

“Drop the sir, call me Mr or Rex.” He said smiling.

 

“Okay, I don’t have my gear today. Can I sit out?” I asked.

 

“Yea that’s fine, you can sit with Hope for the period.”

 

“Huh?”

“Yea Hope doesn't do PE, don’t blame him though. Everyone picks on the poor bugger.” I felt angry, angrier than ever.

 

“Yea well I’m gonna change that.” I replied, not caring about my voice tone.

 

He looked me over. “Good on ya, he needs a good mate.”

 

I nodded and went into the gym, I saw Hope sitting on the bench. I walked up and sat by him.

 

“Hey.” I said.

 

“Hi.” He replied.

 

“Sooo..”

 

“Yeah…” He said with a small smile tugging at his lips.

 

The gym started filling up with guys in sports clothing, I saw a few pointing discretely and sniggering at Hope, or me. I just glared back at them. Hope’s small smile had disappeared in a matter of seconds. I saw Ben walk in and rolled my eyes.

 

Mr Rex yelled something, the yelling could have been interpreted as “Get in the middle!” or just some random yelling noise. Hope and I sat on the bench for the period, talking and getting to know each other. Although whenever he breached the subject of family I instantly felt guilty. I found he wanted to move to the US, he asked loads of questions of what it is like.

 

We walked out of the gym and separated to go to our tutor groups. As I was walking up the stairs I realised I didn't know where I was going, so I got out my timetable and read the class number 27C. I felt a tap on my shoulder and I turned around swiftly.

 

“Um… Do you need any help?” The guy asked, he was a little shorter than me, had long blond hair and brown eyes.

 

“Uh yeah? I need to find my tutor… In 27C?” I asked, he looked just like Kyle…

 

“Oh that’s easy! Same tutor group as me! Name’s Finn.” He said shaking my hand.

 

“Oh cool, Asher.” I replied shaking his hand.

 

He started walking off. He turned back and beckoned me.

 

I followed him down a series of corridors until we reached a door that had 27C on it.

 

“Here we are…” He said.

 

I nodded and he opened the door for me. The class was just talking quietly and the teacher was the only one who looked up.

 

“Bit late there Finn?” She said.

 

“Ya but I brought Asher.” He said.

 

“I noticed that.” She said back.

 

She looked at me “My names Mrs Johnson I look after all your school stuff like referrals and marks. My doors always open if you need me!” She said happily.

 

“Cool thanks.” I said smiling.

 

I realised that my life had never been better, I had no bad thoughts, wasn't as shy and I was making more friends than I had at my old school. I felt as if I was actually needed and water for once.

 

I sat down beside Finn and we talked, I told him my half true half fake backstory. I told him I was from America and my parents and I moved here to start a new life. He asked about my friends and I told him that I still kept in contact with them that brought on a few good memories and then a few bad.

 

I got to know about him a bit more, he told me he had an older sister and his Dad ran away when he was a toddler. He also told me that he was openly bisexual but leaned male. By the end of the half hour we become slight friends.

 

“So you got any other friends yet?” He inquired.

 

“Um yeah, Hope Weir. He’s pretty awesome!” I replied.

 

“Heh well he doesn't talk to many people since Ashley left last year.” He said.

 

“Ashley?” I asked.

 

“His old best friend, she used to defend him. They were inseparable! But then Ashley and her family moved overseas coz her Dad got a better job.”

 

“Ohh… Poor Hope.”

 

“Yeah, well at least he’s got you! Well him and I used to be friends in primary school until year six when he just went reclusive and let nobody bar Ashley in.” He said sadly.

 

He took a look at my timetable and we actually had two classes with each other, Social Studies and ICT. We had ICT last period but no Social Studies that day.

 

We parted and I told him to come to Ms. Vogel’s class at lunch, he looked at me funny but I explained thats where Hope goes at lunch and interval.

 

Finn gave me instructions on how to get to my math’s class so I trekked off up some stairs and corridors and found the classroom I was looking for. There was a group of guys waiting outside and Hope was standing away from everybody, I could feel that he was feeling pretty unhappy. He was just looking out the window and into the quad. I came up beside him and he looked at me through the corner of his eyes, I smiled and he half smiled back.

 

The door opened and a tutor group filled out of the classroom. Once everybody had left Hope and I walked into the classroom and took the closest seat to the heater and the front of the class. Hope sat by the heater and I sat on the other side, he got his math’s book out and I follows his example. The teacher was a big man, his name was Mr Smith. We started the period being reminded that we were allowed to use headphones as long as we took them out when he was talking.

 

When we finished our warm up thingy Hope started talking.

 

“So how was tutor?” He asked.

 

“Pretty good, got acquainted with Finn.” I said.

 

“Finn who?”

 

“Vogel.”

 

“Ah you do know he’s bisexual?” He said. I could detect the slightest bit of jealousy.

 

“Yah, its fine he’s cool guy.” I said.

 

“So it doesn't bother you that he’s gay?” He said.

 

“Nah I mean everybody deserves the same treatment, equality is awesome!” I said smiling.

 

“Cool.” He said.

 

We got on with our work and we listened to some of The Killers as we completed our set tasks. I really did hate trigonometry though.

 

When I finished my sheet I got my cellphone out and texted Andy and told him what has been happening. He texted back and said that he has been doing nothing and Celeste said to get back to work. I laughed a bit there.

 

The bell rung signalling lunch time, Hope and I walked back to Ms. Vogel’s class. I made sure it was okay with Hope that Finn came. I wanted to get them back together. He just shrugged. Finn was waiting for us when we got there and Ms. Vogel was trying to hold him out of the classroom.

 

“Miss let me in!” He said laughing.

 

“Nooo! Only Hope and Asher!!!” She said laughing.

 

“Ugh come on or I’ll use the ‘M’ word.” He said.

 

“You wouldn't dare!” She said. I was just standing with Hope watching it own out.

 

“Mother. Let me in! Don't be horrible to your only son!” He exclaimed. I looked at Hope and he nodded. Just then Ms. Vogel turned around to see Hope and I watching. She let go of him and he fell on the floor.

 

“Hello you two! How much of that did you see?” She said brushing herself off. Finn groaned on the floor. She shushed him.

 

“Um all of it?” I said comically.

 

She sighed “Oh well the secret is out, well Hope already knew but oh well.”

 

“Come in.” She said.

 

I followed Hope and grabbed Finn’s hand and helped him up.

 

“Well now you know that ghastly thing is my Mother.” Finn said.

 

“She’s not ghastly, she's awesome.” I giggled.

 

“You don’t know the half of it.” He said rolling his eyes.

 

I laughed and went into the classroom.

 

“Now is there any reason you’re in here Finn?” Ms. Vogel asked him.

 

“Well Asher asked me if I wanted to come… So I came!” He exclaimed. She looked at me skeptically.

 

“Okay then, you have my number if you need anything Finn.” She said.

 

“Yeah, yeah I know now be gone woman!” He exclaimed. I looked at him. They sure had a strange mother - son relationship. She just stared at him and rolled her eyes.

 

Hope and I sat at a table and Finn sat at his Mum’s desk. We all ate our lunches in silence but I sensed Hope didn't really want Finn here. Finn was the first to speak up.

 

“So I haven’t heard from you in a while Hope…”

 

“Yeah.” He replied softly.

 

“Do ya reckon we could be like we used to be? Life good mates? I miss having you around” He said.

 

“Maybe…” He said.

 

“Coolio…” He said with a smile.

 

Finn got up and opened his bag and pulled out a sleek and shiny macbook pro.

“Wanna watch a movie?” He asked.

 

“Depends…” I said.

 

“Well I have Finding Nemo, Atlantis, Percy Jackson oh and the remake of Carrie.” He said.

 

I looked at Hope.

 

“Carrie.” Hope and I said at the same time. I looked at him and smiled.

 

We had finished at least a quarter of the movie before the bell rung.

 

I had checked my timetable with Hope and we had Art with Finn. We all trudged to the other side of the school where the art class was held. We got onto some of the high stools and waited for the teacher. When she got there she set us onto doing portraits of our friends. I sketched the outline of a head, then I drew the hair, the lips, nose and lastly the eyes. I looked at it and then looked beside me, I don’t know why but it reminded me of Hope.

 

“So I’ll see you later then?” I said to Hope as we were leaving the classroom.

 

“Yeah sure…” He replied.

 

“Well Andy’s gonna pick me up so do you want a ride?” I asked.

 

“Nah don’t worry, I’ll just get Mum to get me.” He said.

 

“Okay then, wanna wait out the front with me?” I asked.

 

“Sure.” He said timidly.

 

We walked out the gates and sat on the brick fence, Hope texted his Mum and I texted Andy. Hope’s Mum was first to arrive, he got in the car and they drove off. A few minutes later Andy pulled up in his car.

 

“Well hello again Asher.” He said as I was getting into the car.

 

“Yeah good, school’s just school I suppose.”

 

“Yeah I hear ya.” He said nostalgically.

 

“Mhmmmm.”

 

We drove the rest of the way home in a comfortable silence with the radio blaring some random rock station.

When we got back I went it to find Celeste looking out the window.

 

“Hi.” I said to her.

 

“Hello Asher. How was school?” She asked turning around.

 

“Meh average, how was whatever you did today?”

 

“It was okay…” She said trailing off.

 

“Cool, so what’d you do then?”

 

“This and that.” She said.

 

“Okay…” I said.

 

“Well don’t you have some homework to do or something?” She asked humorously.

 

“Yeah I do, talk to you later.” I said smiling at her.

 

I walked up to my room and got changed into my lazy clothes. I picked up my phone and thought I would call Hope. I dialled his number and waited for him to pick up.

 

“Hello?” He said.

 

“Hey Hope.” I said.

 

“Hi?”

 

“Do you wanna come over and test the pool out with me?” I asked.

 

“Umm…” He said.

 

“It’ll be funnnn.” I said.

 

“Yeah okay then.” He said sighing.

 

“See you soon!” I said.

 

He hung up and I got into my new board shorts and rash top and rubber band bracelets. He didn't need to see my scars.

 

I heard the doorbell go off and I bolted down the stairs. Celeste looked at me and rolled her eyes, I just smiled back. I opened the door and Hope was wearing the same clothes he wore at school but he had a bag.

 

“Come in!” I said happily

 

He walked in and asked if he could get changed, I lead him to my room and let him change. I walked to the pool and took the cover off. The pool was a big square with pool toys in the cupboard, it had a 25m lane down the other side of the room to do laps in.

 

I went back up to find Hope and knocked on the door, I walked in and he was putting his clothes in his bag. He was wearing bright blue board shorts and a tight rash top as well. I grabbed his hand and dragged him to the pool. I looked back at him and he was blushing hard. I suspected it had something to do with the hand holding.

 

We got to the pool room and I opened the door for him, he went in and stood by the edge of the pool. I closed the door and came up behind him and pushed him in. He squealed then I jumped in with him.

 

We spent a good half an hour just swimming around the pool and throwing the beach ball. I decided to get the volleyball net out so we could play water volleyball. Turns out he was rather good at that… We played that for half an hour. We decided to take a break from playing and just sat on the side of the pool.

 

“So what happened with Finn? Why did you stop talking to him?” I asked.

 

“Don’t worry about it.” He replied.

 

“Oh but I do, I’m your friend so deal.” I replied.

 

He looked at me curiously. “Why?”

 

I looked at him. “Huh?”

 

“I mean why would you want to be friends with me?”

 

“Well I was drawn to you when we met so I just decided I wanted to get to know you, still do by the way.” I said.

 

He just sat there looking out the big windows at the end of the pool.

 

“I mean you want to be friends with me don’t you?” I asked hesitantly.

 

“Yeah I do, I’m just not good with people.” He said.

 

“I don’t care as long as your my friend I’m happy.”

 

“Right… Well I best head home.” He said.

 

“Okay come on let’s get dry.” I said. I handed him a towel from the cupboard outside the poolroom. He started drying his creamy white legs and I dried my hair. We walked back up to my room and I went into the bathroom and got dressed there while Hope got changed in my room, no matter how much I wanted to get changed with him I didn’t.

 

Once I was changed I walked out and hope was just pulling his socks on. I walked over to him and pulled him up and hugged him, I don’t know why but I did. And I loved it. It felt right. He was a bit stunned but then he hugged me back. I let go and looked at him, he smiled slightly and blushed. He looked up just as I was stretching up a bit, my tee shirt was a bit small and it rose up above my scars. He must have caught a small glance and breathed in hard.

 

“What the hell are they?!” He stated angrily. Pointing at my sides, pointing at my scars…

 

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