"This assignment can be done in groups today. No more than two people in a group." Said Mr. Burton.
As usual, Kevin Davis didn't bother to look around the room to find a partner. What was the point when everyone hated him? What was he living for?
"Hey, Kevin, can we be partners?" Someone asked. Kevin looked up to see Caden Vespucci, a tenth grader that got held back in math. Shocked, Kevin nodded. Caden turned a desk around to face Kevin.
"Ever heard of Linkin Park?" Asked Caden.
"No." Said Kevin.
"Oh my gosh, you serious?"
"Yeah."
"I'll have to lend you my CD sometime. What about H.I.M.?"
"What's H.I.M.?"
"A band, like Linkin Park." Said Caden, "Tell you what, we should go over to the CD store after school."
"I'd have to call my mom." Said Kevin reluctantly.
"Cool. So, can you explain this assignment to me? It doesn't make any sense."
"Hi, mom? Can I go over to the music store with a friend?" Asked Kevin over the payphone.
"A friend? Well, sure! Be home before supper." Said Mrs. Davis. In her kitchen Mrs. Davis smiled. Her son had finally made a friend!
"Thanks, mom. Bye." Said Kevin, hanging up.
"She says it's okay."
"Sweet! Let's get goin'." Said Caden
"Hey, Kevin!" Called Alyson, running to catch up with the two. Her friends, Kimberly and Lacy followed.
"I'm going to hang out with Caden. Mom says it's okay." Said Kevin.
"How nice." Said Kimberly sarcastically.
"Have fun." Smiled Alyson. As Kevin and Caden walked away, Alyson slipped a five dollar bill to Caden.
CHOKING
"And we looked at CDs, then we went to the skating park and we took turns on Caden's skateboard. It was lots of fun!" Said Kevin at the dinner table.
"That's wonderful, sweetie!"Exclaimed Mrs. Davis.
"Potatoes?" Mrs. Davis asked her husband. He looked up from the papers he was reading.
"Huh?"
"Potatoes, dear?"
"Oh. Yes, please." Said Mr. Davis.
"Kevin hung out with a friend today. You should invite your friend to supper." Said Mrs.Davis, trying to involve her husband in the conversation. Alyson choked on her meatloaf. Invite Caden to supper?
"Yes, great news." Said Mr. Davis absently, still lingering over the papers.
"Yeah. I'm glad you had a great time, Kevin. Caden sounds like a nice guy." Said Alyson. What if Kimberly was right? Maybe Caden will be a horrible influence on Kevin, after all, Caden hangs out with Kyle Rogers, the famous badboy.
"Alyson, can you answer that?" Asked Mrs. Davis.
"What?" Asked Alyson, jumping out of her thoughts.
"The phone." Said Mrs. Davis.
"Yes." Said Alyson, leaving the room. She picked up the cordless in the kitchen.
"Hello?"
"Alyson?"
"Hey, Kim. One sec." Said Alyson, "Mom, it's Kimberly. I'll be in my room."
"Okay, honey." Said Mrs. Davis.
"So, what's up?" Asked Alyson.
"Just calling to see if Kevin's in the hospital."
"Why would he be in the hospital?" Laughed Alyson.
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe because one of the school thugs spend the day with him."
"Kimberly! Kevin's fine. He's inviting Caden to dinner tomorrow." Said Alyson. Kim choked.
"What? I have to come over then. Wow, I really can't believe you."
"Kim." Sighed Alyson.
"I have to go, tons of homework. Oh yeah, what about the yearbooks?"
"What about them?"
"Given any thought to a theme?"
"Not really. Kim, I better let you go."
"Alright. bye." Kim hung up. What was up with that?