The Last Call

There was a pang in my stomach as I got dressed for school this morning. I couldn’t really specify what kind of pang it was, it just felt like something was going to happen. I didn’t really know what to make of it since I wasn’t one to “trust” my “gut” as some people put it. Partly because I was never right half the time to begin with. I decided to push the thought away, not wanting it to ruin my surprisingly good mood this morning.

However as I combed gel into my short hair, the feeling persisted. I was becoming quite agitated at the nuisance. I still shook the feeling away, convincing myself I was just overreacting. When I was dressed and ready to go, I slipped on my Nirvana sweater and grabbed my backpack before trotting down the stairs. The smell of blueberry pancakes filled my nose and a happy sigh escaped my lips as I dashed into the chair of the kitchen table.

“Oh, morning honey.” my mother said surprised to see me sitting at the table. I watched in anticipation as she scooped three pancakes onto a plate as well as grabbing a glass of Minute Maid orange juice to accompany them.

“Morning ma.” I greeted as she set the plate down. I didn’t hesitate to grab the small jug of maple syrup and drown the suckers in the delicious liquid.

“Did you study for your Spanish test?” my mom asked as I couldn’t help but roll my eyes and stab my fork into the first pancake, picking off a piece to shove in my mouth.

“Yes mom.” I mumbled.

“I’m just checking. I know it’s the last month of school and all, but I don’t want you getting sucked up in that whole ‘senioritis’ thing. It wouldn’t hurt if you made your last days count.” she reasoned while I resisted the urge to roll my eyes again, having heard her say that for the millionth time. In all honesty, I didn’t really give a crap. After all in 21 days I’ll be out of this place, so what was the point of slaving away another month?

“I know ma.” I simply said to satisfy her and continued to eat my pancakes.

“Are you going to pick up Jade? You only have 15 minutes.”

“Nah, she told me she last night she was probably going to miss because she didn’t feel so good.” I explained while her face frowned a bit.

“Oh poor dear, well I hope she feels better.”

“I’ll tell you said that.” I gave a nod before finishing my breakfast quickly and stood up to leave, slinging my backpack over my shoulder.

“I’ll see you later ma.” I told my mom before kissing her on the cheek and heading to the door. But when I reached the doorknob, I hesitated for some reason.

“Hey mom?” I said involuntarily.

“Yes Max?” she replied sweetly while lifting her gaze to me.

“I-I love you…just wanted you to know that.” I explained awkwardly while a smile spread across her face and she waved me off. I inhaled the fresh Southern California Spring air as I walked to my car and got in. I started up the engine and swiftly pulled away from the curb, heading off to school. It seemed I got there in a flash, of course I didn’t go pick up Jade who lived in the opposite direction of the school, so it saved me some time. I pulled into a parking space where Dan and Dylan had spotted me, holding their hands up briefly while I gave a nod in response. I killed the engine and grabbed my backpack before stepping out and locking the car doors, slinging my backpack over my shoulder once more.

“Sup dude?” Dan greeted as I gave him and Dylan a fist bump.

“Nothing special.” I shrugged.

“Dude, did you get the chemistry notes last night? Please say you did.” Dylan asked me in a panicked voice while I couldn’t help but laugh at how scared he seemed.

“Yeah man, here.” I replied unzipping the front pocket of my bag and pulling out several index cards.

“Spend another night with Keisha again?” I teased as I handed him the cards while he sneered at me.

“Maybe, so what?” he retorted.

“Dude, you met her on Tagged, how do you know she’s not really a guy?” Dan questioned while we both looked at him curiously.

“She’s not a guy! I just know all right?”

“Well I hope for your sake that she’s not secretly packing heat.”

“Ha-ha.” Dylan retorted once more as Dan and I just laughed.

“Anyways, are you coming to Sam’s party on Friday?” Dan asked turning his attention over to me.

“You mean Sam who’s older brother can get beer? Hell yeah I’m going.” I smiled as Dan grinned.

“Nice. It’s going to be sick dude, plus I heard Cherry’s going.” he added while I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

“Dude, you haven’t talked to her all year, aren’t you a bit late?”

“Better late than never.” he shrugged.

“You’re a moron.” I laughed as he flipped me off.

“Well where’s your girlfriend then huh? She finally saw the light?”

“She’s home sick.” I pointed out.

“Yeah, sick of you.”

“Jealous much?” I smirked at them when the bell rang.

“Another damn day in this hell hole.” Dylan sighed. “We should hurry before Mr. Lang has another heart attack if we’re late again.”

“Man, screw his old ass.” Dan mumbled as we all laughed and began to head inside the building. When I was almost in, that nagging feeling came back and I gritted my teeth in annoyance. Quickly pulling out my phone from my pocket, I typed in a message to Jade.

I miss you. I wrote before hitting send. As I walked to my class my phone vibrated and I opened the message screen.

I love you :) Jade had written back and I smiled before quickly typing back I love you too and heading into homeroom while the feeling had subsided.

Everything would be okay.

By third period, I felt like my normal self again and did my usual routine of slacking off in History class while Dylan and I played paper football. Mrs. Montoya was yakking about something involving the civil war but I was too bored to listen.

Dylan was talking to me about Sam’s party on Friday again, I was only half listening. I tended to daydream subconsciously, my mother would’ve called it me being self-absorbed, but I begged to differ. I just like to lose myself in my thoughts sometimes.

As I scribbled on the paper football, my stomach felt slightly nervous and I looked around me involuntarily, something seemed out of place. I looked back at Dylan, about to say something when we all heard it.

Gunshots, followed by screams.