Paper Planes

Chapter 8

Ladies, gentlemen, and amazing people, we have made it to Thursday.

After lunch yesterday, I spent the rest of the afternoon thinking about today. It's harder to focus in class when you're fearing for your life. And as soon as I show up to first period, Davey's already trying to calm me down.

"You don't have to go to those meetings", he says, watching the door for Mr. D. "It's completely your choice."

"No, Dear David, it is not", I argue, taking out my journal. "They want us to think that, but if I didn't show up, you or Specs would, and I don't want you going through that."

"Why do they pick on you so much anyway?" I laugh softly, looking around.

"I have a theory Oscar has a crush on me", I snicker, making Davey at least smile. That's good. Now, maybe he'll stop worrying.

"I'm still going to worry." Damn it.

The bell rings and Mr. Denton finally shows up. He looks at the class and raises his brows in shock at my appearance.

"Mr. Meyers, you're here", he points out, causing almost everyone in here to look at me. "I assumed you'd be late again."

"The bathroom was full", I shrug, a playful smile on my face. He laughs and begins the lesson.

Again, it's pretty freaking hard to focus in class when you're worried about being torn a new one. After Jack standing up for us— standing up for pretty much every LGBTQIA+ member in school (which is a shockingly high number)— I'm afraid Oscar has decided that my pain will be increased by a lot, and there's no telling how much 'a lot' is.

"Are you going to the game tonight?" I look at Davey like he's crazy. I have never, in the entirety of my three years at The World High School, gone to a football game. I didn't even go to the ones in middle school. Specs and I would usually watch movies on those nights, since the teachers didn't give homework.

But then they went off and got hitched to a band kid. "I never go to the games."

"I know", Davey nods, glancing at the board. "But I figured since you and Blink are-"

"Friends."

"Right", he whispers. "Maybe you'd want to go with me and Specs?"

I know I'm coming off as if I already had my mind made up, but the truth is I've been debating this. Should I go? For one thing, I barely know Blink, we just met. For all I know, he could be the next Ted Bundy, and I heard he was pretty charming.

But I do want to be friends with him, and I don't have anywhere to go but my house. What better way to kill two birds with one stone? Sure, Blink doesn't start— from what I heard, it basically means he won't play for a while— but Jack does, and I don't want to have the story of Javid explained to me through a metal and glass box.

"Fine", I agree, smiling when Davey silently celebrates. "But you have to host a slumber party next weekend."

"Done", Davey nods, excited. "I just have to ask my mom."

Mrs. Jacobs was usually pretty lenient, but she's been on Davey's case this year. It is college hunting season, close to application season, and Davey kind of really needs a scholarship. That, or over $70,000 for a masters degree.

I'm kind of jealous, actually. "When are you guys picking me up?"

"We'll be leaving the school as soon as it's over, then get food", Davey whispers, focusing on writing his notes. "The concession stand is less expensive, but I don't trust it."

I snorted and stopped asking questions. If I said one more word, Mr. D would probably give me a small lecture about paying attention in class, and I really didn't want to hear that right now.