Arriving at school, I put my backpack on before getting out of the dad's car. Getting out, I followed them into the office as they gave the receptionist, Ms. Joy, the letter explaining my absence. Right now it was 9am, so it was thirty minutes into Biology. Mom told me that Alex would pick me up after school since I couldn't drive my motorcycle or get into/out of Josh's truck.
On my way to Biology, I stopped by Mr. White's class to turn in my homework. He was happy to see that I was back and that today's homework was to read Chapter 3 and answer the questions for it. After that, I made my way to my current class. Opening the door, Ms. Harris was in the middle of a lesson on a shifter's skeletal and muscular systems.
"Sorry for the interruption, Ms. Harris." I said as I handed her a tardy slip and my homework, feeling embarrassed.
"That's okay, Andrew. I'm just glad to see you back in class." Ms. Harris said with a smile. Making my way to my seat, I sat down and put the crutches under the table.
"As I was saying, a shifter's skeleton isn't different from a typical human's, but their muscular systems are a bit denser…" I tried to focus during the rest of the class, but the pain meds that Donny prescribed me were making it hard. The bell finally rang, so putting my backpack on, I grabbed my crutches and made my way to the Art classroom. I had called Ms. Daniels yesterday and told her that I was being discharged today, so Mrs. Lovelace was already there when I walked in.
"Andrew! It's good to see you again. I was shocked when I heard about what happened." Mrs. Lovelace's expression was a mix of concern and relief. During her lesson, I finished my picture by adding color to it. Even though she said that I could take a break from it, I still finished the outlines while I was hospitalized. I finished the picture before the bell rang, so while I was packing my stuff up, she grabbed it.
"This is amazing, Andrew! I love the details and how well you have blended the colors." Mrs. Lovelace exclaimed. Before I left for Algebra, I chose my next theme, which I picked plants this time. Even though I loved doing Beast themed drawings, I was also pretty decent at doing other themes.
My brothers were waiting for me in the hall, so they helped keep the other students from bumping into me. I was grateful for the help since it was a struggle just using the crutches in a crowded hallway. We got to the classroom a few minutes before it started. Giving Mr. Norris my homework, I took my seat. Today's lesson was still on Polynomial Long Division and Algebraic Functions. Luckily it went quickly and we made our way to Mr. High's AP English class.
Today we started a reading list that he had, and the first book was The Crucible. It was based on the Salem Witch Trials that happened in the United States. They weren't as accepting of witches as Picantia, but it looked to be an interesting read. We were each given a character to play, and some were given two because there were some left over. Mr. High had one requirement: we had to act out the emotions of our characters. In the end, it was a very loud, very fun class.
Afterwards, we made our way to PE. Since I was exempted from participating, I took my backpack with me, so that I had something to do. While everyone else was changing, I went ahead to the gym. Giving Coach Hill my note of exemption, I made my way to the bleachers. Feeling my phone vibrate, I pulled it out to see a text message from my dad.
DAD: Bill was arrested with assault charges.
ME: So he admitted to pushing me?
DAD: Not until he failed the polygraph test and he was questioned further.
At this point, my brothers joined me, and I told them the news. They weren't surprised, and at least it meant a slightly smoother school year for me. As everyone went outside, I put in my earbuds and played a SayWeCanFly playlist. I was singing while I started my drawing for Art. I chose to do a vase of tiger lilies on a table, and I was finishing the outlines when I felt a tap on my shoulder. Jumping, I pulled the earbuds out to see the rest of the class staring at me.
"Guess your hidden talent isn't a secret anymore." Josh, who had tapped my shoulder, said with a laugh. Coach Hill had brought everyone inside a few minutes before the last bell rang. I was so focused on my drawing that I didn't notice them coming in.
"Did you hear his voice?" One girl asked another. The whispering had started.
"It was so good! If we got him to join our group, then we could finally have a full band!" Another student, a guy, said to his group of friends.
"I don't want to be here right now!" I groaned to my brothers, with my head in my hands. Singing was something that I loved doing, but very few people outside of my family knew about it.
"Hey! Your name is Andrew, right?" It was the guy who was talking with his friends about a band. When I didn't correct him, he continued. "My name's Jimmy. Do you want to join my group? We only need a singer to become a full band." Jimmy said excitedly.
"Sorry, Jimmy, but he can't. We've already formed a band together." Adam said.
"Oh? What's the name of your band?" He didn't sound upset, just curious. I was curious as well, since this was the first I've heard about us forming a band.
"It's called Dragon's Blood." Damian added to the conversation. Josh was standing beside me, trying not to laugh.
"Look who suddenly became popular." He said when Jimmy finally left.
"Shut up." I hissed while I packed up my stuff. The bell had just rung, so everyone was slowly leaving. "And when did we make a band and call it Dragon's Blood?" I asked, looking at Adam and Damian.
"Just now." Was all that Adam said.
"It saved you, didn't it?" Damian commented with a huge smile. Sighing, I made my way to the parking lot where Alex was waiting in her silver car. Dominic helped put the crutches into the back seat as I got into the passenger's seat. We drove away as he went to get into Josh's truck, so I would talk to them again at the house.
When we got home, Alex handed me the crutches again and said that she would put my backpack on the table for me. As soon as I sat down at the table, my brothers walked in. They joined me as I got my homework out and we worked in silence for about an hour. At this point, mom was cooking dinner, and I couldn't stay quiet for any longer.
"Are you guys serious about this band or was it to save me from that guy's band?" I asked, having to know the answer.
"I mean, we all play different instruments and you have one hell of a voice! So, why not?" Dominic said. He had a point, but I was still doubtful. We didn't know the first thing about starting a band. Pulling out my phone, I searched the internet. It said that we only needed to have enough people to cover the instruments and have a name. After seeing that, I sighed. I seemed to do that a lot today, but shit kept happening that warranted that reaction.
"I guess we're a band. What could possibly go wrong, right?" My brothers got excited at my response. So I opened my sketchbook to a blank page and started drawing. The picture was a Dragons head with its mouth open, breathing fire. I worked on it while my brothers talked, and I showed them the picture after thirty minutes.
"That's awesome!" Adam said, his eyebrows raised. "What is it for?"
"Well, every good band has a logo, right? This could be ours if you guys want." I said. The band's name was written under the Dragons head, looking like it was written in blood. "I did an interpretation for Dragon's Blood, but if you don't like it, then I can change it." Feeling a bit self-conscious, I rubbed the back of my neck.
"Dude, this is amazing! Of course we love it!" Josh added, looking at the others for confirmation. We had a name, a logo, and everyone played their respective instruments. I guess that band was now officially made.
Looking at my brothers' excitement, I couldn't help thinking that things would quickly change for us. At this moment, mom had finished cooking, so we cleared the table. She saw the sketchbook before I could grab it.
"What's this? Dragon's Blood?" Her eyebrows were scrunched in confusion.
"We decided to form a band. Its name is Dragon's Blood!" Damian said, excitedly. He seemed the most enthusiastic out of all of us.
"That's wonderful! I was wondering when you guys would finally start one!" She exclaimed.
"What are they finally starting?" Dad had just walked into the dining room.
"The boys decided to officially form a band! Andrew even made a logo." Mom showed our dad my drawing while she spoke.
"About time! You boys have such a talent for playing. It'll be good to expand beyond the music room. Show others what you can do." Our parents were really supportive, but I had one issue. I hated talking in front of crowds, so how was I supposed to sing in front of them?
Deciding that I would try and not worry about it right now, I just focused on dinner. Mom had made burgers with mashed potatoes and corn on the cob. Seeming to sense my thoughts, my parents assured me that I would gradually overcome this feeling. After dinner, Josh grabbed my pajamas and a change of clothes for school tomorrow, along with my toiletries. Since I would be staying downstairs for a while, we moved them into the downstairs bathroom. My family would have to grab my clothes when I needed them, but they didn't seem to mind.
As I settled on the couch, my mom gave me the last dose of pain medicine for the night. I took it with my sleeping pill, and got comfortable for the night. Slowly, as sleep took over, a song formed in my mind. It went like this:
Why is life so hard
Why does it weigh us down
I don't understand why
We have to go through this
Anger, sadness, anxiety
There are so many emotions
It overwhelms us
Pain, disease, death
Why does it happen
Why is life so hard
Why does it happen
Life sucks then we die
This is the motto I live by
Too much pain
Too much stress
Why do we have to
Feel so much
I'm tired
I'm overwhelmed
All I want is to be free
No more pain
No more grief
No more death
This is what I wish
But I know it will never be
Because no matter
How hard I try
Life will always be too hard
And it will always weigh us down
But no matter
How hard it gets
I will spread my wings
And take to the sky
I will embrace
All that life gives
Feel and experience everything
But still be free
To be me