Because of the fire.

chapter eleven

Gretchen and I looked at each other in confusion.

"I'm talking to you Gretchen. Can we swap partners, you can go work with Kyle," he explained.

At the mention of Kyle's name, Gretchen didn't wait a second.
"of course," she smiled standing up immediately.

Trevor sat beside me looking so unsure. We silently worked on the exercise and he didn't say anything that wasn't related to the work.

"okay, cut the chase Trevor. I don't believe you are here to show off with your English vocabulary knowledge," I said.
Yeah, apparently he was one hell of a genius.

He looked at me and I could see that his brown eyes were hazy.
"I came here to apologize Tracy. I shouldn't have put out your business with Kyle like I did and I'm truly sorry."

"did Kyle send you to apologize?"

"no, not at all. I can't help feeling bad for the part I played in your humiliation it's just that when it happened I wasn't thinking straight and..."

He paused as Mr Webster came by to collect our worksheet. His eyebrows perked up, "I'm quite sure I don't remember pairing you two up together."

I put on my most innocent smile.
"okay, whatever." he said and walked to the next desk.

The bell went off and people started leaving.
"I'm just saying Kyle never meant to hurt you, blame me for showing Darren your text..."

"so I'm not supposed to blame Kyle for showing you my text?" I said coolly.

Trevor looked at me sheepishly, "Tracy..."

I smiled, "apology accepted."
I walked off to Life Sciences class. I could see Kyle looking at me out of my peripheral during the whole lesson. I wasn't surprised when he came over after the lesson.

"hey."

"hi."

We walked down the hallway in silence for a few seconds.
"I umm.."

"it's okay Kyle. Trevor apologized, you apologized. It's cool now, I get that you didn't mean to hurt me..though you did," I said looking straight in his eyes.

"so you forgive me?" he asked.
I stopped to look at him. Here was a guy that I'd liked for almost a decade and this side he was showing was totally new to me.

I smiled, "of course, I forgive you."

How can I stay mad at you. You're Kyle O'Malley....

"what are you doing after school? I was thinking we could meet up and..."

What! Is this really happening...

If it had been a week ago, I'd probably be doing a victory dance in my head, squealing like crazy but right now....
"I-I umm..promised to watch Earl's swimming practice," I said remembering that Earl had said something about it in the car.

The look on Kyle's face was unmistakable, he was dissapointed. Nevertheless he managed to cover it up with a smile, "uh I guess it's cool then."

"How far are you done with the book?" I changed the subject.

"well, I'm getting there. We should all meet up and see if we can't answer some of the questions Mrs Hopkins posted."

"that definitely sounds like a plan. We'll make arrangements in the group." I stopped as we came to my locker.

"yeah, sure. See you around."

"bye."

I took out my calculus textbook and walked to class.

Remember to tell Earl that you're coming to watch him at practice.
I felt a bit bad about lying to Kyle but I wasn't exactly ready to go out with him. I kinda felt like he wanted to right his wrongs but then I wanted him to go out with me because he liked me and not because he felt obligated to.
Calculus was pretty much just calculus but at this point I just wanted to get the day over and done with.
Lunchtime came and I went to sit at my usual spot.
Soon, Earl joined me.
"Trae," he smiled..
Oh no... That smile
"come on. Not you too" i said knowing well that he'd heard it from Luke.
"come on Collins. You gotta admit it's cute, " he looked at me and as expected there was a faint shade of pink on my cheeks. I never knew being called by my surname could sound this nice. Usually it was coach Daves who did it and everytime I always knew it meant I had to put more effort so... Wait, what was I doing without replying to him..
"coming from a cute 10 year old, yes it does," i said calmly
"well the only thing I'm not in that sentence is 10 years old but you know.. "
I quickly looked away smiling as I finished my juice and crumbled the carton not so successful. when i turned back to Earl i changed the subject
"how was geometry? "
"oh it was okay, " he shrugged.
No you're a genius
"oh... And O'Malley said I should remind you to post the arrangements in the group.... And speak of the devil.. "
I followed his stare quickly to see Kyle walking with his food tray over to where Trevor and their group of friends were sitting.
"I wonder why he didn't sit with us today" Earl continued..
I rolled my eyes, "seriously"
Earl faked a look of recalling something "oh... "
"it's not funny.. Never will be," i said sternly.
But Earl only seemed to laugh, "easy Collins "
I ignored him, "so which days work for you ?"
"uhm i have swimming practice on Tuesday and Thursdays so any other day than those "
I quickly typed in the group chat
Monday, Wednesday or Friday... Pick
Kyle typing.....
Kyle: got piano on Monday. Wednesday and Friday fine by me.
Me: got zero practice so fine by me too.
Earl Just sent a thumbs up.
"oh, I'm going to come watch you after practice " i said to Earl as i remembered that I'd lied to Kyle about it.
"oh... " he simply said and I ended up telling him about the lie.
"I'll see you then, " he said.
"bye, gotta rush to Spanish, " i picked a fry from his packet and dipped it in his little bowl of chilli sauce before putting it in my mouth.
Earl laughed and I shrugged.