[Centre][h1][colour=seagreen]Johnny Baxter[/colour][/h1] [img]http://78.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mcyajmAwkX1qiqcvgo4_250.gif[/img][/centre] [hr] What made him decide that parties were a good idea, again? Johnny couldn't find anything to do to keep his brain functioning at events like this. He despised loud crowds, and parties were always full of them. That's why he stayed away from them: noise and a lack of stimulation. That, and the music they played was always terrible. And everyone was plastered by the end of the night. And he was never welcome. He'd seen Avery through the window, and he couldn't tell if Avery was mortified or horrified that he had turned up to the party. Once again, Johnny had done something idiotic because of a pretty face. It occurred to him that maybe he shouldn't have run away from Sammi when he did, but he wasn't on particularly good terms with her friends. No doubt they wouldn't make things fun. He wanted to talk to someone, but nobody was really there. He didn't even drink, and wanted to remain teetotal for as long as possible. He really shouldn't have said that he would come. But, then again, saying that was just being defeatist. It was his last day of school, after all. Steeling his nerves, he walked into the living room, determined the strike up a conversation. Needless to say, he did not manage to strike up a conversation. He just stood near the wall, awkwardly. He found himself looking at Sammi chatting to her friends. She was the only reason that he was in this mess. It was just like he decided earlier: anything for a pretty face. He looked down at his feet, smiling a little, amused by his perceived idiocy. He looked up again, the possibility if talking to her glimmering. Just as he was about to go over to her, he shook his head. It looked like she was having fun. He would just ruin it. Instead, he found himself leaving, pulling out his phone to text her one last time: [B][I][colour=seagreen]I'll be leaving now, you don't need to drive me home. Thanks for the ride. Have fun, kid. -Johnny[/colour][/i][/b] He got home early, stopping at the park to collect his tie and camera. His parents were surprised to see him home this early. [b]"Johnny, it's 9:30!"[/b] His mother told him, shock evident in her voice. [b]"Why are you home so early? We thought you'd be back by at least 11:00."[/b] [b][colour=seagreen]"Yeah, well, I got bored. Early start tomorrow. Good night, mum![/colour][/b] Before his parents could question him, his lanky figure had disappear up the stairs, heading to his room. [hr] He woke up early the next morning, glad that he didn't stay at the hell-hole party and wake up much later than expected. Today, he was going on the road, mainly surrounded by people he didn't like, just so he could get away from his parents. And because his parents told him to. He rolled out of bed, prepared to pack everything he needed. He threw a couple of pre-planned changes of clothes into his duffle bag, as well as his glasses; a small torch; a blanket; a travel pillow; his camera; and a few old comics that he needed to keep him occupied. Thankfully, he had downloaded loads of audio books into his phone so he wouldn't have to talk to too many people. After bidding his parents goodbye, he stood outside the house, bag slung over his shoulder, putting everything in perspective. This was his first proper outing as an adult. The first thing that he was doing for himself. Not for his parents, not for his teachers, not for some attractive person, but himself. He smiled to himself as he slowly ambled towards the high school parking lot. When he got there, he was roughly an hour early. He found Sam outside the bus, probably regretting partying too hard the night beforehand. He had never liked Sam, who always seemed to avoid him on purpose. One thing was clear to him: he was not wanted on this trip. [b][colour=seagreen]"Um, good morning, Samson. It looks like you drank a bit much at that party last night. Hangovers must suck, right?"[/colour][/b] He said, awkwardly, unsure if that sounded rude or not. [b][colour=seagreen]"I, er, brought my camera. In case we need a photographer, or whatever. Its kind of old, but that adds nostalgia to the image. I, er, like your bus. She looks nice. You aren't completely talentless, I see. You did a good job fixing her up."[/colour][/b] He waved his hand in the direction of the bus.