Page 16 of Elemasters

Charlotte’s mouth tensed into a thin line, and her gaze remained focused on the road ahead; distorted as it was through the mist-slick windshield.

“I… already promised your brother I’d take him out for a celebration dinner that night. Since he made the basketball team again this year,”

And just like that, those bubbles in Dustin’s chest froze into cement blocks that pulled his spirit into the abyss.

There was no “celebration dinner” when he made the swim roster again, but then again… why would there be? No one “celebrated” another minute passing, or the dawn of another day. Chris was special, Dustin was expected.

“Right, yeah, of course. Don’t sweat it. I’m sure coach will record it and burn DVDs for anyone who couldn’t make it,”

The ride continued in relative silence; with only the distant hum of the morning news on the radio filling the space. As they pulled up in front of Kochiyama High, Charlotte sighed and unlocked the doors… but she didn’t make eye contact.

“Next time Dustin, I promise,”

Dustin just curtly nodded, and headed into the building.

He wouldn’t let himself believe in those words. Not again.

…

The first couple of periods passed by in a daze of fluorescent lights and half-remembered lectures.

Chris hadn’t been in first period, but Dustin just chalked it up to him probably hooking up with some girl behind the bleachers or in a locker room; wouldn’t be the first time. Everything else faded out like static as he drifted through the day, just ready to get it the fuck over with and head home.

He mindlessly shuffled into the cafeteria along with the rest of the rush, made his way through the lunch line without even paying attention to the options on offer, and started dragging his feet to his usual lunch table without a thought in his head.

That was of course, until a voice got his attention.

“Hey, Dustin!”

Dustin turned his head to see Leo Chang; former equipment manager turned freestyle swim pro. Ever since he went from a dorky short kid in freshman year to a 6 '2 chiseled god with broad shoulders and a jawline sharper than a samurai sword, he constantly had the attention of half the girls in school, though he never seemed to pay them much mind.

In truth, the only person he ever really spoke to was Dustin. Chris was convinced he was crushing, but Dustin was pretty sure he was just a nice guy that knew what it felt like to be bullied and forgotten.

“Oh hey, what’s up Leo?”

“Just wondering if you wanted to sit with the rest of the team? We were gonna talk about regionals and stuff,”

Dustin’s gut twisted; sure, Coach Carter always preached about the swim team being “one big family”, but in reality they barely acknowledged Dustin’s existence outside of his athletic skill. He was very useful when they needed to hit the leaderboard, not so much when it was time to hang out.

However, Dustin didn’t even have a chance to answer before Chris appeared out of nowhere; like Nightcrawler but with less self-awareness.

“Yo, sorry to interject big guy, but I’ve gotta borrow my brother for a sec,” he said, flashing that signature manipulative grin as he slung his arm over Dustin’s shoulder, “we’ve got business,”

“Oh… uh, okay. Well, I’ll see you at practice later then,” Leo replied, just as Chris spun Dustin around and started pulling him to a table halfway across the cafeteria. It was the one right near the bathrooms that no one ever wanted to use due to its proximity to piss-stench. However, Bailey, Chloe, and James were already there, clearly waiting for him like Voltron waiting for its head.

“We’ve got maybe ten minutes before people start wondering why the fuck we’re all at the same table,” Chloe said as soon as Dustin and Chris sat down, “the Ying Yang Twins eating together isn’t shocking, but Chris is my ex, and the last thing I need is people thinking we’re back together,”

“Don’t count me out just yet baby girl,” Chris winked, “I might win you back yet,”

“Doubtful,”

“Don’t even sweat it Chloe,” James cut in, with his feet propped up on the table. He looked fucking amazing; so much so that Dustin temporarily forgot that he was supposed to be brooding. He looked like a demigod in a sleeveless grey shirt and skinny jeans as he leaned back and chomped into an Oatmeal Crème Pie before continuing with his mouth full, “I’ve already started floating the story that the five of us are working on starting a new club for college credits,”

“Niiice man,” Chris leaned in and fist-bumped him, “well, let’s bring this… as of yet unnamed club meeting to order. Any new business?”

“Cut the shit Christian,” Bailey rolled her eyes, “we need to talk about what the fuck’s been happening to us,”

“Right, right, okay,” Chris replied, “this morning some wild shit happened on my way to school. I was driving in, getting all hype listening to 50 Cent, you know, the usual. But then… I guess I got too fucking fired up because I started sweating. And then, my veins started glowing red! And then… well,”