The end of freshman year is not too far away and while most are trying to make certain that their grades are going to hold up to allow them to move on next year there are those that are far more interested in summer plans than making sure their grade point average is on point. As the days drag onward the balance is constantly in flux with an ever growing population of students that are caught somewhere in the middle as it should be. The French club is excited about getting to go abroad to tour France for several weeks while the robotics club is planning their next big project to win the state tournament next year. The activities board is littered with all sorts of events that will be happening around town, and classes that could be taken at the local rec center for fun while still learning a useful skill. As always there's an enormous board just outside the athletics office that shows all the requirements necessary for athletes interested in participating in fall sports next year and information on how to prepare for tryouts right away at the end of August.
It's a busy time for everyone including the teachers who are just trying to keep their students focused and their rising energy corralled. The days final bell sounds as students flee the classroom as if a swarm of bees were in hot pursuit. The student parking lot springs to life with people hanging out in groups about several cars as music of varying sorts competes for loudest volume. Through the chaotic scene Ben Solo manages to weave his way towards the bike stand where his mountain bike is chained up. He doesn't draw much attention from the crowd though he towers over most of the population and always has since he was a small child. It's both and advantage and a disadvantage at times to be a lanky loner with a very short list of friends --- if they could be called that.
He's made it unscathed by taunts and insults today which is a rarity. As he frees up the chain to tuck into his pack he has to wonder if there is anyone in the entire town that will ever understand him then checks himself as he spots a very familiar face not too far away, and nearly smiles. Nearly. Ben has always had Rey-dar since they were little. Rey gets him or at least she used to before she became so popular that they don't really hang out all that often anymore but he never despairs or fears that he will lose his friend because he knows she will always pop up unannounced with her blinding smile and her boundless energy to chase away all the shadows that wrap around him. It's Friday so she might stop by at some point later on or tomorrow to see his father. Maybe he could unearth himself from his room for long enough to say hello at least. Someone bumps into him breaking his line of sight and he fumbles his pack trying to keep all the contents from spilling out as one of Hux's friends says something smart about his ears then cackles away with his group of hoodlums. Ben sighs and sets things back to rights before drawing his bike out and walking it in the direction he last saw Rey.
