Young Forever
[[ –school au with @byzelus– ]]
A streak of lightning lit up the sky with a matching grumble of thunder heard throughout the shower room, causing Henry to look out the window as he halts drying his hair. He pouted slightly at the thought of having to extend his stay at school if the upcoming rain doesn’t stop within the hour, he wouldn’t want to thread his bicycle through a raging downpour. Sighing, he throws his wet towel in the laundry bin, fetches a dry one and takes out his wet goggles and swimming cap from his locker.
“Still practicing?” his locker neighbour asked. “Might as well.” “Coach has gone, though.” “Yeah, it’s fine. I’ll just practice on my own.” “I’ll turn on the lights for you on my way out.” “Thanks, man.”
Sundown is approaching but Henry assumes his aunt wouldn’t mind him being late for his shift due to the rain. He leaves the locker room and sets his towel down. He sits on the edge of the pool, watching the ripples as he dips in his legs. Laughter of the few remaining students echo in the hall as another grumble of thunder hums through the school. It was getting darker more quickly due to the heavy clouds of rain and Henry hesitates submerging his body upon noticing he can’t see the wall decorations at the opposite side of the swimming pool. After a few minutes, he equips his goggles and dips in. He kicks the wall of the pool and swims forward slowly, scanning the darkened pool and finds the thought of seeing a deep-sea creature amusing. Lights came on subsequently from the other end and he hears the hall doors opening and closing. Telepathically, he thanks his neighbour and begins swimming at his usual pace, immersing in his time alone with remnant thoughts of the day.
He didn’t recall what day of the week he was currently on. Days were currently bleeding into each other and to him what mattered most was if he had to attend school tomorrow or if he could stay in bed for two days straight. He sat on the steps of the entrance of the building, fingers clicking on the side button of his cellphone and glancing down at the time.
It was six in the afternoon and the raging downpour had caused him to stay until the rain at least died down or settled into a drizzle. His mother had messaged him to inform him she would be working late and if he needed a ride to take the bus, which passed every hour now instead of thirty minutes.
He had no right to be upset but all he wanted was to go home and hide in his bedroom. His mood worsen as he heard obnoxious laugher behind him and others following along. Assholes.
He didn’t know how he went from cursing at them mentally to being dragged towards the swimming pool. Perhaps not dragged but forcefully pushed, leaving his belongings on the front steps behind. He was informed him that he could start hanging out with him if he went through initiation again. A smirk tugged on the corner of his lips as he turned to look at the leader and the idiotic “compromise” that he had spewed from his lips.
“What makes you think I’ll follow through with this?” He inquired, tilting his head to the side as he glanced at the smaller, albeit much older male in front of him.
He didn’t need them anymore.
And as far as needing, it had been them that had needed him more than anything.
“You either join us or we’ll beat you to a pulp.” One countered, stepping forward towards him as if he was going to lunge out to him but he was met with an extended arm, blocking him from making an idiotic move.
Attention soon shifted to the male in the water, who didn’t seem to notice he had spectators or the impeding danger.
Fuck.
Why couldn’t you be somewhere else? Wrong place, wrong time.
He was pushed towards the direction of the pool and with a lack of care dove into the water, swimming towards the chosen victim. “How long can you keep your breath for?” He murmured as he was now out of earshot and his arms found the guy’s arm.
