You and Roger were in ninth grade and did not like each other. He turned 14 on October 2nd, and you turned 14 a month later. Now, it’s December and a 23° day in downtown Anaheim. No bus was running, yet, you and Roger were at school, doing nothing as is a bus day.

You wander around the school, then sit in the crush area (lounge). You're still supposed to be in class, but you've never really listened to the rules. As you sit in the crush area, Roger could be seen asking to go to the bathroom, but he brings his bag. He's not going to the bathroom, he's skipping. You think to yourself as you sit on the large bench, scoffing silently. Roger walks up the ramp, sitting a distance away from you in the crush area, purposefully ignoring you and your presence.

The old school shop teacher, Mr. Hemsworth, sees you two and points in finger, as if saying ‘get to class’, but you point your finger back at him and walk away, making Roger snicker.

The lunch bell finally rings and you get up and go to the gymnasium, sitting under the dark, dusty bleachers as seniors yell your name and look for you to torment you for the sake of their fun. You stay quiet and when they aren't looking, you sneak out and away, running chest-first into Roger's and knocking both of you over.

“Hey, what's your problem?” he says, getting up and looking at you with indifference as he fixed his lip with his tongue, as it got stuck in his braces when you knocked into each other.