by Hart, Rebel
My jaw fell open. “And the man didn’t just take a sick day?”
Aly shook her head. “I’m telling you, our principal is a workaholic!”
The four of us laughed at Rae’s locker just before the bell tolled. The screeching sound made me wince, and Rae was right there at my side. Rubbing my chest, kissing my arm, and trying to soothe me back down onto my toes. I wasn’t sure why the bell startled me as much as it had. I wasn’t sure why it made my entire body ache. But having Rae there helped. Having Aly and Mike there helped.
I like having people in my life who help.
I drew in a deep breath. “What classes do you guys have first this morning?”
Mike pointed behind him. “I’ve got chemistry first thing. I’m all the way back that way.”
Aly nodded. “I’ve got biology with Rae before our English class together.”
Rae gasped. “That’s right! You two have English together before lunch. Here, Aly. Can you take this to class for him?”
Aly held out her hand. “Of course. I wasn’t sure why you didn’t give it to me sooner.”
I watched the two girls exchange my books and homework as people filtered around us. And for a few seconds, I didn’t pay attention to the snickering. To the stares. To the whispers and the gossip fluttering around us. The only thing I paid attention to was how willing these two girls were to help me. How they coordinated my schedule, right there. In front of me. Trying to figure out ways to make this day less painful on me. Trying to figure out ways to lighten the load I had to carry.
I slowly looked up at Mike and found him grinning at me. A knowing grin. One that said, ‘welcome to my world.’
Holy shit, I liked his world.
Rae sighed. “All right. Let’s get you to homeroom, big guy.”
Aly pointed down the hallway. “I’m going to go turn in his prior English homework. Mike, I’ll see you in homeroom?”
He smiled. “I’ll save you a seat.”
Rae looked up at me. “You ready to go?”
And as I lost myself in her eyes, I nodded.
“I’m ready to go.”
The three of them walked with me until we had to go our separate ways. Despite people talking about us, they never wavered from my side until they had to. And it didn’t take me long to understand why Rae had been friends with Mike and Aly for so many years. They were unwavering. Unfaltering. They didn’t care about what those around them said. Or gossiped about. They were trustworthy. Steadfast. Willing to help at the drop of a hat.
I could get used to this.
More than I had ever gotten used to being around Roy and Marina.
23
Raelynn
I sighed. “I wish I had homeroom with Clint.”
Allison linked her arm with mine. “Well, homeroom with me will have to do.”
“You know that’s not what I meant.”
“I know, I know. But I’m still trying to cheer you up.”
“I’m just worried about him. I mean, what if he needs help?”
“He’s a big boy. He’ll get around on his own today.”
My lips downturned. “He shouldn't have to.”
Allison nodded. “I know. But it is what it is and you can’t keep dwelling on things you can’t change.”
But I did.
All throughout homeroom, I wondered if Clint was all right. If kids were still whispering about him. Or, God forbid, picking on him. I wanted to be by his side, helping him through his classes. I wanted to be there, holding his hand and propping his arm around my shoulders. I kept imagining him lumbering down the hallways. Trying to get to his classes on time and still walking in late because he simply couldn't keep up with that kind of a pace from class to class.
At least we’d all have lunch together.
I leaned over. “Hey, Allison. Can I ask you something?”
She nodded. “What’s up?”
“Is there any way you can help Clint get to lunch?”
“Oh, I already told him I’d help him.”
I paused. “Wait, you did?”
“Well, yeah. We’ve got class together before our lunch break. Why wouldn't I?”
I smiled, leaning toward her to give her a hug. I wrapped my arms around her, thankful that my two best friends were finally opening up to Clint being around. I mean, I knew he’d been an ass. But I saw a change in him. A softer demeanor. A desire to do better for himself. It warmed my heart that I had Allison’s support. It warmed my heart that she was willing to reach out and help Clint in such a manner.
I kissed her cheek. “I really appreciate it.”
She rubbed my back. “Don’t worry. Michael and I got this. We’re here to help. Okay?”
“Okay. Yeah.”
The bell tolled, signaling our first transition to class. Allison and I set off for our first period. Biology. Science, first thing in the fucking morning. Like, really? Who the hell made that schedule? Who in the world decided that biology at eight-thirty in the morning was a wonderful idea for anyone?
Then I felt Allison tapping me on the shoulder.
“Don’t look now, but look at our two guys.”
She pointed, and my heart warmed at the sight. I gazed down the hallway, watching as Michael walked alongside Clint. I smiled at them, watching Michael carry Clint’s books. He had slowed his walking pace to stay by Clint’s side, and kept him engaged in conversation. Hell, I even saw Michael reach out and steady his hand against Clint’s shoulder when he stumbled over his own two feet in the hallway.
I smiled as my heart melted into a steaming puddle of thankfulness.
“Told you,” Allison whispered.
I rolled my eyes as she linked her arm with mine. It was time for our morning torture session with one of the most boring teachers in this high school. I swear, his voice never wavered from its one monotone pitch. He wore the same five outfits every week. Every day, of every week. Like those outfits were specifically designated for those particular days of the week, and no other days.
I sighed. “Ready for the purple vest?”
Allison snickered. “You think he’d switch it up at some point in time, right?”
A small commotion at the end of the hallway ensued, and it caused us to pause in the doorway of the classroom. I looked down the hallway, squinting, as I tried to figure out what was going on. I saw Clint against the wall. At least, I thought it was Clint. When Michael came into view, I knew that had to be Clint.
I watched Michael place his hand on someone’s chest. Backing them away from Clint. I didn’t know what was going on, but it looked bad. I started down the hallway.
Until Allison pulled me back.
“They’ve got it.”
I scoffed. “Something's wrong. I have to get to Clint real—”
“You’re going to be late for class.”
I whipped around. “I don’t care if I’m late for class, Allison.”
Kids started yelling and I turned back around. I saw Michael shoving a kid down the hallway before teachers began intervening. Only they didn’t go after Michael and Clint. They went after the kid that had been pushed behind the corner. I didn't know what was going on. But what I saw warmed my heart even further. I saw my best friend wrap Clint’s arm around his shoulder and help him into class.
Before running out of the room and sprinting down the stairs to his own.
Allison sighed. “Well, that’s something I didn’t think I’d ever see.”
I smiled softly. “Right?”
“Do you think Michael will ask me to prom?”
I did a double-take. “Say what now?”
“Prom, Rae. Keep up. Do you think he’ll ask me?”
“I mean—I—I don’t—do you—do you want him to?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
My eyebrows rose. Mostly because I’d never heard Allison be so blunt before.
“Well, then I’m sure he will.”
“Girls.”
The teacher’s
voice caught our ears and pulled us into the classroom. He held the door open for us and we made our way to the back. Where we always took our seats. I kept peeking over at Allison, trying to read her face. As we cracked our books open and focused on the lecture that would surely put us all to sleep, I wondered what was going through her head.
I didn't have to wonder long. Because once our teacher turned his back, she leaned toward me.
“Do you think I should drop hints?”
I kept my eyes on the teacher. “Yes.”
“What kind? I’m not good with this kind of stuff.”
We kept our voices low. Trying our hardest to make sure our conversation didn’t interrupt the lecture. Or catch our teacher’s attention.
“I mean, just start talking about things. You know, like prom dress shopping, or the fact that you don’t have a date yet. Michael’s smart. He’ll eventually catch on.”
Allison sighed. “I really hope so.”
I grinned. “You really want this, don’t you?”
She shrugged. “Yeah. I do.”
“It’s nice, seeing you admit it.”
She looked over at me. “I don’t really know when I started feeling this way, you know.”
“I mean, sometimes you don’t.”
The girl in front of me turned around, giving me a mean-ass look. But I simply glared back at her. She needed to shut the hell up with that face of hers. Allison and I were having a very important conversation. My best friend of all these years was finally admitting that she wanted to be more than friends with Michael.
This was a monumental moment.
Allison held back her giggling. “He’s been really sweet lately, you know. We’ve been spending a lot of time together.”
I smiled brightly. “I feel a story coming on.”
The girl in front of me whipped around. “Are you two serious?”
And even though our conversation had gone unnoticed, her harshly-whispered outburst caught our teacher’s attention.
“Ashley. Turn around and pay attention, please.”
She tossed me another glare, but I simply smiled at her. I wiggled my fingers at her, waving goodbye as she turned around in her seat. She slumped down, crossing her arms over her chest. And as our boring-ass teacher struck up his pointless lecture again, Allison pointed to her notebook.
I nodded my head.
I sat there, waiting for her note to be scrawled out. And while she wrote, I thought about how normal this all felt. Allison and I always talked away biology. Science was easy for me. Always had been. So long as I read the chapters, I’d be okay. Not once did I ever have to take notes in my science courses all throughout school. It just… clicked for me. Things made sense in the science world. Hypotheses and testing to figure something out? That resonated with me in an ethereal sort of way.
Hey, if video game design didn’t work out for me, maybe I had a career in some science field somewhere.
Allison tapped my shoulder before passing me a note. And when I unraveled it, the smile on my face grew wide. My eyes flittered across the words, warming my soul and making me happier than I’d been in a long time.
Allison was totally smitten with Michael.
He’s just been over at the house a lot. And my parents really like him. He gets along with my dad. Mom even lets us stay in the basement together. He’ll come over and we’ll watch movies. Or talk. Or do school work together. And a few days ago? He took my hand for the first time. His hand is so warm, Rae! I really hope he asks me to prom.
The great thing about writing notes back and forth was that it looked as if I were taking notes. All I had to do was look up every once in a while, nod at our teacher, then I was good to go to keep writing. I used my chicken scratch to write out what I wanted to say as quickly as possible. I erased a few words and tried writing them clearer, just to make sure Allison could actually read it. Because apparently, doodling and having a mind for graphic design didn’t translate to good handwriting.
Allison, that’s so awesome! I mean, I know Michael likes you. I see it in how he looks at you and wants to be around you and stuff. Trust me, if you drop those hints and make comments from time to time about how you don’t have a date to prom? He’ll pick up on the hints and ask. I mean, this is Michael we’re talking about. Once he knows there’s a good thing coming his way, he charges head-on to get it. Remember the deal he had with his parents about his car?
That had been a doozy of a school year. As I passed the note to Allison, the memory pulled me back. The three of us had taken driver’s ed at the same time. Same after-school class. Same teacher. We even tripled up to take the same driving test together with our teacher in order to get some experience. And Michael wouldn't stop talking about the deal he’d made with his parents. If he passed his test the first time in the DMV with no questions missed on the written test and no points docked on the driving portion, they’d buy him his first car. But if he missed anything, he’d have to do what most kids did—ask permission to use their parents’ car.
I mean, I’m sure they were banking on Michael getting at least one thing wrong. I mean, even the slightest thing! But when he aced that written test while we were all in the DMV, I grinned. And when he came back from that driving portion without a scratch on his record, I threw my head back in laughter.
A week later, his parents had anted up. They’d bought him the SUV he drives now, and he was damn proud of that car. That’s Michael, though. That’s always been his personality. When Michael wanted something he knew could be his, he went full-steam ahead in order to get it.
All Allison had to do was make it known that she wanted to be his.
“Pop quiz, everyone!”
Just as Allison passed her note back to me, the class groaned. I looked at her and quickly tucked the note away in my back pocket as our teacher passed out the worksheets. I saw the soft panic on Allison’s face. But she didn’t have to worry. During times like this, I let her cheat off my test. We had a code and everything down for it. And not once had we ever gotten caught.
But she didn’t look over at me once during the quiz.
The bell to switch classes rang and we all rushed the teacher’s desk. I tossed my pop quiz at him and waited for Allison, who was the last to get out of her chair. She had a confident smile on her face and a skip in her step as she handed our teacher her quiz. Then she came over and linked her arm with mine.
“That wasn’t nearly as hard as I figured it would be. It was a recap quiz.”
I smiled. “Ready to get going?”
“Let’s see if we can catch Clint and Michael down the hallway where we saw them. I can help Clint into English, if he needs it.”
“Thank you so much, Allison.”
“What? We have the next class together.”
“Can you just let me thank you without brushing it off and making me feel weird about it?”
She sighed. “I’m sorry. I just… every time you thank us, it reminds me that—at one time—you thought we might not help. And it makes me sad.”
I shrugged. “Because at one time, I knew you guys wouldn't have. I’m really glad you’ve come around to him.”
“He’s changed a lot, you know. I already see it in him.”
I nodded. “I see it, too.”
“You think it’ll stay that way once he’s healed?”
“I don’t know, Allison. I guess only time will tell with that one.”
As Allison pulled away from my side to go help Clint out of his class, I pondered on that question. I thought about it as I made my way for my own class. I watched Allison walk off with Clint, but it didn’t warm my heart like usual.
Would he stay this way after he was all healed?
Or would he go back to Roy and his gaggle of goons once he could hold his own again?
24
Clinton
I groaned. “Thanks again, Aly. I really appreciate it.”
She helped me into my seat. “Really, it’s not a pro
blem at all. I’m glad I can help.”
“You wouldn't be willing to help an old man to lunch, too, would you?”
“Already planned on it. Don’t worry.”
She sat next to me, offering a kind smile in the process. It felt weird. One, because she usually sat at the front of the classroom. And two, because the smile she gave me was genuinely kind. Not the snide or berating kind of smiles I’d gotten used to with her. She set my books on top of my desk before situating her own, and I wondered what she was thinking. What was going on in her head? Was she helping me because she wanted to? Or because Rae kept putting her up to it?
Why did I want it to be the former?
“Oh. Great.”
Aly’s voice caught my attention and I looked over at her. As I followed her gaze, I saw what she was looking at. Roy and Marina had strolled into class, taking up their regular seats not too far away from us. Aly grimaced as she looked toward them, easing herself back into her seat.
I just hoped the pair didn’t make a scene in the middle of class or something.
My eyes stared up at the clock, watching the minutes tick up to the top of the hour. And with every second that passed by, our English teacher didn’t come into the room. Where the hell was that woman? Why was she so late this morning?
“You feel as bad as you look, dude?”
I saw Aly’s head whip over toward me as I bit down onto the inside of my cheek. Roy’s voice echoed in my ear as he leaned over, trying to close the space between us. I rolled my shoulders back, ignoring the pain in my collarbone. I slowly rolled my head around, trying to loosen myself up. All I had to do was ignore them. Don’t engage. Because the second I engaged them, we were in trouble.
I let the comment roll off my back.
But I shouldn’t have answered.
“I’m healing just fine. Thanks.”
Roy scooted his desk a bit closer. “You got physical therapy or some shit you’re doing?”
Had it not been for the grin on his girlfriend’s face, I would’ve actually thought he cared.
