Eventually I figure I have to go back to school. The arbitrary day I pick is Thursday of the following week. For some weird reason, I’m starting to actually care about school. There are two potential explanations for that change, neither of which I really like. One: I’m trying pathetically to get Casey’s attention. Two: it’s dawned on me that it’s my own damned fault no one knows me.
If Gabe fucks with me today, I swear to god I’ll kill him.
"Zeke, whoa, you’re not dead." Stokely says in amazement as we run into each other in the hall.
"I’m not that lucky." I respond gruffly as I head to my locker. I open it up and look at the text books on the upper shelf. I think they actually have dust on them.
Stokely leans against the locker next to mine, crossing her arms over her chest. "So, like, did you and Miss Burke have a fight or something?" she asks. "She’s been hanging around Mr. Furlong."
"I panicked and acted like a total asshole." I admit, pulling out the text books. What the hell class are these even for? "She’s better off."
Stokely smirks. "Interesting." she says.
She tucks her hair behind one ear. "You know, we’ve got lab partners in Chem class. You weren’t here, so you got assigned a partner."
"Aw fuck. What poor bastard got stuck with me?" I ask, looking over the top book. What the fuck am I doing in a science class? Well. . .other than chemistry. Heh.
Stokely’s smirk widens. Uh oh. Why do I get a feeling I’m not going to like this?
"Casey." she says.
My stomach tightens involuntarily.
"Bullshit." I say, outwardly calm. "They wouldn’t stick the smartest kid in school with a loser like me."
Stokely shrugs. "They figured you could use the help." she says. "At the very least, Casey can shoulder the work of two. He’s used to it."
"That’s totally unfair." I insist, once again getting unnecessarily angry. "What kind of conspiratorial bullshit is that? Let’s fuck with the brainer ‘cause he might be queer? Gimme a fuckin’ break. That’s it. I’m going into that class and I’m raising so much fucking hell that they’ll throw me out. Casey doesn’t deserve that shit."
"Wow," Stokely says, pushing off the locker and standing straight, "Chem class might actually be entertaining today."
"Just thought I’d give you a head’s up." she says as she starts down the hall toward Mr. Furlong’s class. "See you in class, Zeke."
I just nod at her. Chem class has those gas things, right? Maybe I can blow one up. Or set a jock on fire.
