Regrets Part I

Jackson

I feel so bad for Savannah Grace. Before school let out, I was really getting used to the three of us hanging out. They made sure that I never felt like a third wheel and it was never awkward. I really wonder what's up with Brayden. I've known him for most of our lives and I've never seen him act like this. He's distant and has already missed a lot of class and we only just finished the first month of school. I'm in the same math class as Savannah Grace and Brayden this year and Savannah Grace and I often sit near each other. She's taking this really hard but it seems like she's getting a little better everyday.

"Good morning!" I say to Savannah Grace as she sits down in front of me in math.

"Hey" she responds looking over where Brayden usually sits "No Brayden again today?"

"Nope, I haven't seen him at all this morning, he wasn't in homeroom either, again...".

"Yeah, I noticed that. What's up with him?"

"I'm not sure, this is definitely not like him, I've never seen him like this before. I heard some kids talking, I think he's been hanging out with a not so great crowd."

"If he keeps this up, he won't be eligible for basketball tryouts this year".

"Yeah, I'm not sure he even cares anymore, honestly. I wish I can get through to him but he'll barely even talk to me anymore" I say. I know this is hard on Savannah Grace, it's hard on me so I can only imagine being in her shoes, Brayden breaking up with her out of the blue for no real reason. I do like how we've been able to bond over that, though. I got to know her when her and Brayden were together and we would all hang out but now we are getting to know each other even better. I don't like that it's over both our loss of Brayden but sometimes common losses can bring two people together.

We both turn towards the front as the teacher walks in to start the class for the day.

The rest of the day drags on before Audio Production class. I enter the studio and quickly spot Savannah Grace in her normal spot. I scan the room but there's no sign of Brayden. I'm not surprised but I am a little disappointed. Where could he be? I wonder if his parents know what's been going on with him. They've never been overly involved in his life and are hardly home, my guess is that they have no idea. I take my seat next to Savannah Grace and wait for any new updates on our current projects. After we have received further instruction, I get to work. Savannah Grace and I really need to work extra hard since we are having to compensate for Brayden never being in class to contribute.

"No Brayden again today?" Mr. Allen says as he takes a look at what we are working on.

"No" I reply, "I'm not really sure where he is."

"Hmm, he used to be such a good student I wonder what's gotten into him. It's not the same without the Three Muskateers in class".

I shrug my shoulders as focus my attention back to my project. I hate that people always expect me to know exactly where Brayden is at all times, what he's up to, and why he's not here. I have no answers, if they only knew, I felt like I've been broken up with too. We used to tell each other everything but now I have no idea what's going on in his life. I just hope he's not out making stupid decisions.