Vince woke up the following day and found himself still in his small room with a look of relief. 

[That could have been a dream if I woke up in the office, but thankfully I wasn’t propelled back to the future.] he thought.

Some change of clothes after a quick shower was his priority for the time being.

His daily life would be drastically different now. It was challenging to remember how he would usually live as a 13-year old, but it would be only a matter of time to accustom himself to high school life.

He would have to attend school as expected, but his ambitions grew overnight after confirming his situation, and money was the resource he lacked the most currently.

Menial labor would not cut it, and there were few employment options for a minor like him. The classes wouldn’t be a problem, and Vince was sure he would do decently.

[I can focus on finding and creating business opportunities for myself to gain the capital I need for my mother’s experimental treatment expenses and future ventures.] He pondered.

On the bus to school, he found the usual seat he used and a friend he had not spoken to for a long time next to it. After graduating, keeping in touch with his high school friends and acquaintances was sadly too tricky for Vince, who worked so far away.

He was swamped and engrossed in university and part-time work that Vince neglected his friendships, and he realized this was a chance to rid himself of that regret. 

“Hey, Kyle, are you still playing that mobile game? Jet-Pack Joyride, right?” Vince asked.

“Yeah. I’m still trying to get the golden piggy pack. That shit is so expensive. It might take me a few more days to grind. What’s up with you?” Kyle asked. 

“I just finished building my desktop computer yesterday. It took me months of working simple jobs, but it was so worth it.” Vince replied.

“Whoa! You built it with separate components?” Kyle asked. “A few youtube tutorials and some documentation helped, but yes, I built it with off-the-shelf parts,” he replied proudly.

“That’s awesome, Vince! I didn’t know you were into computers like that. I admit. That seems much cooler than getting a golden piggy pack on Jet-Pack Joyride.” Kyle said with a depressed sigh.

“Creating something that works does feel satisfying. If you ever attempt it, let me know, and I’d gladly help.” Vince replied honestly. 

“I’ll take you up on that offer in the future. Thank you.” Kyle replied while closing the game on his phone and keeping it in his pocket.

Kyle was a bright kid with a bit of ADHD and was always kind to Vince throughout high school. He got distracted quite quickly but was a force to be reckoned with when he put his mind to something.

Kyle was interested in what Vince would share regarding his new computer as PC gaming was one of his favorite pastimes like many other kids his age, including Vince.

“I’ll be able to play some Team Fortress 2 and Counter-Strike with you guys now with much better frame rates and do other things like developing software like video games and websites.”, Vince mentioned.

“I knew you would play some online games with us but developing websites? When did you ever get ideas like that?” Kyle asked.

[It does sound out of left field showing interest in something like creating programs and applications, considering I didn’t decide on my career path until later in senior year. Better make an excuse fast] Vince thought.

“I found some tutorials online while I was building my computer yesterday, and they piqued my interest. So I bookmarked them, but I haven’t done any major developing yet.” Vince replied.

“You’ll get a leg up on us when the new school year starts. HTML will be one of our classes next year. So I’ll have to lean on you when the going gets tough.” Kyle said.

“I’ll help as much as I can, Kyle. Don’t worry.” Vince replied.

The bus stopped in front of South Main High School. All the students started to get off the bus and start their school day. Vince went directly to his class after saying goodbye to Kyle.

They were neighbors but didn’t share homeroom. Kyle looked at Vince as he was walking away. 

[Whatever Vince is doing seems more interesting than just playing video games in my free time,] Kyle pondered while walking towards his locker.

It took Vince a few minutes to find his homeroom before sitting near the door. He then prepared himself for his first day back in high school.

A woman in her late twenties walked into the room named Taylor Miller, or Ms. Miller as we called her. She was a brilliant and kind middle school math teacher who facilitated Vince’s homeroom.

[She balanced kindness and strictness, and I always respected her professionalism.] Vince thought.

“We will be counting attendance in a minute.” Ms. Miller said in a sweet yet commanding tone.

Taylor took attendance, and the classes after were the usual. Vince found himself in the cafeteria during the lunch break and sat at the usual spot after getting his food. Soon Kyle and a familiar girl sat around him.

Her name was Jessica, and she was part of their friend group. 

“Where are the others?” Vince asked. 

“I saw them behind us at the line. They should be here soon.” Kyle replied.

“Jessica, ask Vince what he did yesterday,” Kyle said excitedly. 

Vince retold his experience of building the new computer to Jessica casually.

“Don’t get too full of yourself by building a computer. I can probably do it too if I followed those tutorials you mentioned.” She said jokingly.

“I believe you, Jessica, I know you’re smart, and I wouldn’t let such a thing affect my ego.”, Vince replied with his banter.

Both laughed out loud while Vince reminisced about the simple days he experienced during middle and high school.

Two other people sat around them. One was a boy named Rick and the second, a girl named Sarah. They all greeted each other and started eating.

They spent some time chatting amongst each other while eating lunch. The group parted ways after, and Vince found himself taking the day easy.

He boarded the bus with Kyle on the way back home and received some rather rigorous inquiries from Kyle regarding software development which surprised him.

[I didn’t expect this from Kyle. But I need allies, so I might as well get him on my side.] Vince pondered.

He ate dinner with his mother and found himself even more determined each time he spent with her. A new day awaits, but Vince knows his plans for the future will have to be set in motion soon.

EDITED