Chapter Text
Johnny’s started arriving at school early, given that he despises crowded hallways. His mornings began to feel easier. That means fewer students lingering around lockers, fewer students staring before awkwardly looking away, and fewer chances of somebody bumping into his wheelchair and apologizing with the same expression he’d grown sick of seeing.
The front gates of Gold Rectangle High were barely open when he rolled through them, the wheels clicking softly against the concrete. The air still carried the coldness of early mornings. Damp pavement, freshly watered grass, and somewhere near the football field, sprinklers hissed quietly in the distance.
Johnny adjusted his grip on his wheelchair and headed toward the main building at a steady pace. A year ago, he would’ve been crossing this same courtyard while sprinting. That thought felt bitter.
The automatic doors slid open as he entered the hallway, and cold air hit his skin immediately.
The hallway lights flickered overhead. Joestar passed the gymnasium without looking directly at it, because he knew what was inside. Trophy cases, team photos, and most importantly; a version of him he no longer recognized.
——
By the time other students started arriving, Johnny already planned to be seated in homeroom with his headphones on and his head down. He spent the next thirty minutes listening to the thick distortion and gritty riffs of classic Southern rock music.
As thirty minutes had passed, the morning rush subsided. Johnny reduced the volume of his headphones slightly as students began to enter the classroom.
Most of them avoided looking at him directly. Some glanced anyway. He hated pity more than anything else.
The first bell rang and students hurried to their seats as their teacher stood near the whiteboard. Then shouting erupted somewhere near outside the classroom. Loud, confident, type of shouting.
The classroom door slid open almost immediately after.
“Well I’m saying—” a voice continued casually, “if the security guard can’t catch me, technically I wasn’t late!”
Several students laughed instantly.
Johnny looked up before he could stop himself. He looked quite distinct. Tall, blonde hair tied back messily, and a heavily modified uniform. He grinned and it showed a custom grill on his teeth. “GO!GO! ZEPPELI!”
“Class,” the teacher sighed tiredly. “This is Gyro Zeppeli. He’ll be joining homeroom starting today.”
His eyes moved across the room and stopped on Johnny. Johnny immediately looked away.
Of course the new guy noticed. People noticed eventually, and the wheelchair made sure of that. The teacher motioned toward the empty desk near the center row. “Sit down, Zeppeli. We’re already behind schedule.”
Gyro sighed heavily and began moving towards the empty seat. It was beside Johnny.
Homeroom resumed normally after that. Or did it? With the new transfer student constantly spinning his pen through his fingers while leaning back through his chair and speaking without raising his hand.
Johnny tried hard not to pay attention. Unfortunately for him, the Italian was difficult to ignore, especially when he laughed. It was loud and annoying. People started laughing too, even if the joke wasn’t funny
Johnny hated people like that.
Halfway through attendance, the teacher suddenly looked up from her clipboard. “Joestar.”
Johnny blinked once. “What.”
“Since Zeppeli transferred in late, he’ll need somebody to help him catch up for the week.”
Johnny already knew where this was going. “No.”
Several students snorted quietly. The teacher pinched the bridge of her nose. “I wasn’t asking.”
“Then why phrase it like a question?” Johnny scoffed.
“Nyo-ho! I like him already,” Gyro said immediately.
Johnny stared flatly ahead. “I don’t.”
“…That’s alright,” Gyro continued easily. “Most meaningful relationships start with hatred.”
“Zeppeli,” the teacher warned.
“Right. Education.” Gyro droned. Johnny already regretted coming to school today.
The bell rang a few minutes later, chairs scraping loudly against the floor as students gathered their things. Johnny waited until the classroom was empty so he wouldn’t get caught in the crowd. Hallways were easier that way.
He reached for the wheels of his chair, then paused. Someone was standing beside his desk.
“So. Joestar, was it? I’ve seen you a couple times last year.” Gyro said, slinging his duffle bag over one shoulder, “You actually gonna help me, or are you naturally this unfriendly?”
Johnny stared at him for a moment. “Naturally.” he answered flatly.
Gyro grinned immediately, like that was the exact response he’d been hoping for “Great. I was worried you hated me personally.”