That Boy - Page 5

I laid my papers on my desk and wrote my name at the top, ready to take history notes.

I froze when he spoke. "Harleen…?" He was looking at my paper.

I took too long to answer back. "Yeah, I uh…. I actually like Harley better….but people call me both."

He didn't say anything else. I kept my eyes on my paper, on my penciled name in my neat handwriting. Harleen Quinzel. What a stupid name! How embarrassing!

One minute until class started. More kids were coming in, the class was almost full. I wanted to talk to him more, but I didn't at the same time. I was afraid I would look stupid.

But he had never talked to anyone before. Why did he talk to me?

I forced myself to talk. "I'm sorry...about Travis. He's an jerk sometimes."

He didn't say anything back. I am such an idiot! I should have just kept my mouth shut!

The bell rang and class started. We were learning about America, when the Oregon Trail started and that whole time period. Whatever time period that was. I needed to pay attention more!

The teacher just talked to us, fortunatley not making us take notes. I sat in silence and listened to him, still thinking about that boy.

Eventually, the bell rang, signaling the end of school. I was deep in thought, and I took my time and packed up my stuff. On the way out, I heard the teacher speak behind me. "We need to talk, son."

I looked back, seeing the teacher hovering around the boy's desk. He was still sitting in it, showing no sign of life or emotion.

I left, giving him privacy. My other friends would have hovered by the door, or found some excuse to stay and listen, eager to collect gossip fuel.

I never got in trouble with the teachers, I was a pretty good student. Sometimes I felt too much like a goody-two-shoes.