Red Leaves Falling

Chapter Four

I stood in front of the tall and rusted school gate. Countless students rushed inside, some of them being dropped off in cars and others walking or cycling. I tried my best to distract my mind from visualizing thoughts of August Becker. Now that I was in his school, I wondered if it was all but a coincidence.

I had spent hours awake the previous night, thinking about what kind of person he was. Was he also bullied and made fun of like me? Did he also feel the need to put an end to his pathetic life, just like me?

I just hoped people didn't recognize my face from the episode I had in front of August Becker's dead body.

I followed a group of students and looked around for my brother.

I spotted him around a corner, chatting with his friend Jace and a couple of girls. I watched the exchange quietly. Classes were about to start in another ten minutes and I needed to get my schedule but I had no idea where the administration office was.

I tapped Jacob on the shoulder. He turned on one leg and gave me a sideways glance.

"What do you want?" He growled out. I narrowed my eyes at him. I glanced at the girls standing behind him, giving me a once over, and giggling among themselves. I unconsciously pressed my glasses against the bridge of my nose.

"Where's the administration office?" I said. Jacob heaved a sigh. He pointed towards a room at the far end and then resumed the conversation with the girls.

A lady dressed in a black formal attire sat behind a wooden desk. She gave me a questioning look as I stood in front of her.

"I'm a new student." I explained. Her eyes lit up as though she was already informed of my coming.

"Brother of Jacob, right? Never would've guessed." She said, her fingers flying across the keyboard furiously.

I gave her a small smile. She pulled a paper from the printer and handed it over to me.

"Your locker number's at the bottom." She said. I scanned my eyes over the schedule.

"Where's class T15?" I asked her.

"First floor, third class." She said. I muttered a thank you and made my way up the flight of stairs opposite the office.

I wasn't nervous when I entered the class and introduced myself. I knew that the students here were no different from the ones in my old school and according to the rumors that circulated, they were worse. I paid there mocking glances no heed and situated myself comfortably at a window seat at the far end.

There was a large maple tree outside the window. I let my eyes wander past its rich color and texture. A small puppy stood under the shade of the tree, cocooning its legs around its bony body. Its tail shivered lightly at the cold. The corner of my lips turned up slightly.

The puppy reminded me of myself, lost and lonely.

Just like me, it was afraid of everything, trusted nothing and found shade in the most turbulent of times.

We were different beings yet I felt like we were one and the same.