I suffered through English and had to take a make-up exam. Jason moved into the chair behind me and I could feel him pulling on my hair every so often. I turned once but he pretended like he wasn’t touching me. Both Viktor and Viola were absent from class. I couldn’t help but wonder if they both were sick with the flu I had. Obviously, I didn’t miss Viola, especially the kickfest she like to have on the back of my chair.
“Ms. Davis, here is the rest of the work you need to makeup.” Ms. Campbell tossed a folder on my desk.
“Okay. Thanks,” I said, glancing inside. “When is it due?”
“I’ll give you until Monday,” she said. “Here’s your paper,” she said and laid it down on my desk. I flipped it over. It had an A+ on it and it said good work. I couldn’t stop my surprise from showing.
“That was a good paper you both wrote.” She nodded her head at me and scuttled back across the room.
“Wow, she actually gave you a compliment,” Jason whispered, sounding as shocked as I felt. His fingers were back in my hair and I tried to move forward but he held on. Giving up, I pulled out some Red Hots and popped them in my mouth.
Jason groaned behind me and let go of my hair. When I turned, he was leaning away with his hand over his face.
Weird.
I ate a few more Red Hots before the final bell rang. Shoving my books and folder full of homework into my bag, I stood. “So,” I exhaled. “You want to walk out together?” I asked, pulling my bag on my shoulder.
“Nah,” he said. “I gotta, um, do something.” He looked green.
“Jason, are you feeling all right?” I asked.
“Yep,” he said, waving his hand in front of his face.
“All right, I’ll see you.”
“Yeah, see you,” he coughed out.
I left before he got sick. Maybe he was getting the flu too…or more likely food poisoning from the nasty Pizza he ate at lunch.
thirty
Somehow, I ended up in the parking lot at Thriftway. I wasn’t sure why I went…well that wasn’t exactly true. I wanted to see if Sandy was working. I wanted to try to find out who she was dating.
Instead of lugging my bag into the store, I just pulled out my wallet and shoved it in my pocket. When I climbed out of the car, the sun was still shinning. Enjoying the moment, I stood there and let the rays warm my face. There weren’t too many people out and the parking lot had very few cars in it. It was weird. When it rained, everyone was out and now that it was nice no one was out. Shrugging, I walked into the store.
It was like a ghost town inside. Grabbing up a small hand basket, I walked around and tried to figure out what we might need at home. The smell of fresh baked goods drew me to the bakery section. I spotted some pecan sticky buns and dropped them in the basket for Mom…they were her favorites. I grabbed a loaf of bread too and some more protein bars and then headed off to the register. On an end cap there were Red Hots and I tossed a few in my basket too. I was addicted to them now. They were great at keeping me powered up through school.
Heading to the register, I noticed once again Sandy wasn’t there but Clarke was. His greasy plastered to his head and he was sporting a few more very angry pimples. They looked like they hurt. I would have suggested he use some peroxide and Neosporin but he didn’t seem to be in a receptive mood.
He looked up at me, his blue eyes bloodshot. “Do you want to donate a dollar to …oh screw it,” he muttered and threw the Red Hots in the bag. Hitting the register button a few times the drawer dinged open.
“How’s it going?” I gave him a small smile, trying to figure out how to ask him about Sandy.
“It’s going,” he said. “That’ll be eleven dollars and forty three cents.”
“I’m going to charge it.”
He waited.
“So,” I hedged, “are you the only one here today?”
“Yeah.” He looked over his shoulder then back at me. “Unless you see someone I don’t?” He smirked.
“No, I don’t see anyone,” I laughed and pulled out my wallet, taking longer than necessary. “I was just wondering where Sandy is?”
“God, not you too,” he grumbled, and shoved his hand through his hair.
“I’m sorry.” I didn’t know what else to say.
“You will be,” he muttered angrily.
“What was that?”
“Why’d you want to know?” His brow hitched up a notch.
“Um, just curious,” I flustered. “She’s usually here.”
“Yeah, she is, but not today… obviously.” He blinked at me and gave me a look like I was stupid. I couldn’t really blame him for that. It was a stupid question.
“Oh,” I said and slid my credit card through the little machine.
“Sorry,” he exhaled and shook his head. “She bailed and now I have to work double shifts to cover for her.”
“That sucks,” I tried to sympathize.
“Yeah, it does.” He slammed the drawer shut and ripped off my receipt. “I’m not sure why you’re looking for her but if I were you, I’d stop.”His eyes flickered.
“I was just curious,” I tried to cover.
“You and the rest of the world apparently,” he sighed.
“Oh really, who might that be?” I asked stupidly.
“Who isn’t looking for her is the better question.” He gave me a scathing look.
“Oh.” Dangit. This was not working out the way I wanted it to. I plodded onward, “Do you know Sandy well?”
“Yep.” He gave me a cursory glance and scratched his head.
“Oh-kay,” I said slowly and put my receipt in my wallet and shoved it back in my pocket. I reached out to grab my bag.
He pulled it just out of my reach. “When you see your friend again,” he said, “tell him I’m on to him… understand?”
“What friend?” My stomach clenched.
He gave me a look of disbelief. “You don’t know who I’m talking about?”
“No.” He handed me my bag. I grabbed hold but he wouldn’t let go. “
“You better watch your back or you’ll be M.I.A. just like my sister.”
“Sandy is your sister?” I couldn’t hide my shock.
He laughed but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Yeah, can’t you see the resemblance,” he deadpanned.
“Um…” I looked at his face. His eyes were the same color and he had full lips too except they looked good on Sandy and a little freaky on him. I guessed they could be related. “Yeah, I do.”
He shook his head and looked me over. “You know, I was wondering about you…and I can’t decide…”
“What can’t you decide?”
“I can’t decide if you’re really clueless or just stupid,” he said meanly.
“Well, thanks.” I jerked the bag from his hand. This time he let go and I rushed toward the door.
“I’m betting on stupid,” he called out after me.
I ran outside, all the way to my car. Only when I was inside did I take a full breath.