Chapter Text
Chapter 2 - II
Anthony didn’t want to be here, he didn’t want to be having this conversation especially up the table with his sisters listening.
“This is important Anthony, you need to start taking your future seriously” his father emphasised. Anthony simply nodded, he hated all of this, why couldn't they have waited until after dinner. “Anthony, you have your exams in less than a year.” His mother reminded him even though it had been on Anthonys mind for the last year. In truth Anthony had no idea what he wanted to do, he’d gone to the career advisor he knew his options but in truth he had no idea. “Anthony, are you listening?” His father said, pulling Anthony from his thoughts.
“I am, I know they are important and I’m taking them seriously.” Anthony pleaded “It doesn’t seem that way Anthony, not even a day back and you're getting suspended for the day and having fights.” Anthony's mother didn’t look happy, Anthony's father nodded agreeing, “I’ve told you it wasn't my fault, I was trying to stop Cartwright from picking on the younger years!” Both of his parents didn’t look convinced. “That's not what the school said Anthony.” Anthony just nodded , he didn't want to be having this conversation and especially didn't want an argument.
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As soon as dinner was finished Anthony went to his room, he wanted to be alone. As he laid on top of his duvet looking at the ceiling he couldn’t help but wonder if James knew what he wanted to do with his future, granted he had known him for 15 minutes but he had a feeling they’d be good friends.
Anthony was sure he was probably the only one who didn’t know what he wanted to do. Anthony sighed and turned over, falling asleep.
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Anthony waited in the corridor for maths, he noticed James was standing nearer to where Cartwright and his friends were standing. Of course, Anthony thought, he looked down at the floor studying the pattern he'd done many times before. He watched someone walk up to him, as he looked up he saw James smiling “Hello, Anthony, we’re in the same Maths class. Would I be able to sit next to you?”.
Anthony couldn’t help but smile “Hello James, I’d be happy to let you sit next to me.” Anthony decided to ignore the sniggering from Cartwright's group.
As they filed into the classroom James and Anthony took the table in the middle row nearest the left wall painted in magnolia covered in pen marks near the tables.
As the teacher began the lesson explaining Quadratic formulas. As he was writing notes he glanced over at James doing the same, Anthony felt the familiar skip of his heart, he quickly looked back at his notes hoping he wasn't blushing.
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Anthony and James sat on the wall eating lunch watching the other boys playing football.
“Do you know what you want to do after school?” Anthony looked over at James about to take a bite of a cheese and pickle sandwich. “Father wants me to join the army so I'm going to do that.” James was swinging his legs before realising what he was doing and stopping. “ I don’t really know what I’m going to do, there's so many options. It's a little overwhelming. My parents think I’m not taking it seriously but that's all I can think about.” Anthony confessed “There's so many colleges to go to then there's what I'm doing afterwards, do I go to uni or get a job, then I have to make sure it's a good job so I can get a house or something, it's a lot.” Anthony started to pick at the skin around his thumbnail , it was a habit he had that would tend to show its face when he was nervous or worrying.
“What about the army? I’m going to college then I'm joining up straight after, it's what my father did and what my grandfather did. So that's what I’m doing.” James turned to face Anthony who was looking down at the weed covered concrete. “I don't know James, I don't know if I want to fight in the army.” Anthony when back to watching the other boys playing football
“Well, at least you’ve got a bit of time to decide, if not you don’t have to stick with that choice.” Jame took a bite of his sandwich, Anthony turned to James and smiled “I suppose not.”