"Where the fuck were you on Saturday?" Ryder is greeted in the school parking lot when he walks up to his friends
"We looked for you and called when it was time to go," Jesse adds "And yet you guys still left without me,"
"What you left first!" Omar argues "I didn't leave I was taken." "What?" They all ask confused "What do you mean?"
"I was shitfaced and Shia took me to his house," Ryder explains
"Who the fuck is that?" Omar asks as they start heading towards the entrance "Wears all black always drawing," Ryder gives a vague description
"Oh that emo kid!" Jesse nods figuring out who it is
"I don't think he's emo, and anyway he helped me after you losers abandoned me basically leaving me to die. Thanks for that you guys are amazing," he leaves them turning down a different hall.
No Ryder isn't mad at his friends because he doesn't expect any less, knowing them they were probably just as fucked up as he was, the difference is they can actually hold their liquor. Try as he might Ryder will never be able to hold down alcohol, but he keeps trying.
Heading up to the third floor before his first period, Ryder walks into the art classroom, he's never been in here before and wasn't sure what to expect, but all the art seemed about right. Scanning a nearby wall there are different kinds of drawings hung up signed by who drew them. Stopping when he sees a particular one that has a similar tone to the drawings he saw in Shia's room, Ryder looks down and reads the boy's name at the bottom of the paper. He was recognizing Shia's art without even trying now
"Can I help you?" A voice says causing Ryder to turn to find the art teacher standing behind him "Sorry" he quickly apologizes for snooping, "um I'm looking for one of your students, Shia Yorkton,
how do I find him?"
"Oh I'm not familiar with Shia's schedule," she says but then adds, "he is here fourth period though if you want to come back then."
"Ok" Ryder nods, "thanks."
"Sure," Mrs. Davenport smiles him out the door.
Ryder doesn't know if he should be relieved that Shia wasn't there, why'd he even go look for him? It's not like he had anything to say to him. Maybe he just wanted to see Shia again, is that so wrong?
Walking to class Ryder tries to stop thinking about the boy and actually focus on school. That didn't really work because here he is before fourth period waiting by the art room,
contemplating if he should leave or not. He's not sure what he'd even say to Shia... thanks again for
bringing me a complete stranger to your home— is your mom ok? She didn't look like she was breathing— would you want to hang out? I always know what's going on I can find us a party to go to together—
Realizing how ridiculous all of those approaches sound, Ryder shakes his head turning to leave when he stops right in front of Shia.
Walking to his class bag on his shoulder and portfolio in hand, the last person Shia expected to see outside his class was standi