Paper Planes

Chapter 12

My dumbass left my backpack in Blink's car.

I didn't even think about it. But last night, I did have a lot to think about. I didn't fall asleep until 4:00am, and I had to chug a lot of caffeinated tea to make-up for it.

"Hey!" I turn around to see Blink running towards me, my yellow backpack in hand. "You left this."

I smile and take it gratefully. "Thank you."

"I'm excited for tonight", he says suddenly, adjusting the strap on his shoulder. "I can't wait, actually. And I'm glad I caught you this morning, before school starts."

I just- I can't. "Don't you have football practice most mornings?"

"Coach let us out early", it's literally nine in the morning, "since we won the game, and everything."

I furrow my brows. "What time do you usually get here?"

"About seven." What? I wake up at seven, how-

"So, you get up at, like, five or six?"

"Three, actually", he corrects, smiling. "I have to be at work at four, then I drive here to get to practice at 6:30."

That's crazy. "How are you alive?"

"Coffee, frozen waffles, and the hope of meeting Christian Bale one day", he jokes, both of us laughing. He's funny.

The bell rings and I smile sadly. "I have to get to class."

"I'll walk you", Blink offers, already walking ahead of me. I smile softly.

"Don't you have class on the other side of the school?" Blink shrugs, not really caring.

"Mr. Sheller can wait for five minutes." I smile even wider, walking with him. "Oh, by the way, good morning."

I know I already gave this title to someone, but he is the best human. "Good morning."

"Did you sleep well?"

"I did actually. As soon as I hit the sheets", I snapped my fingers, "I was out like a light."

A lie.

Blink chuckled, scratching his head. "I stayed over at Jack's. Crutchie and Miss Medda had to force us to stop watching Euphoria."

I laughed. "You watch that?"

"Uh, duh", he jokes. "You?"

"Never seen it", I admit, laughing at his gasp. "And I don't know if I want to. I heard it's pretty graphic."

"That's the best part", Blink says, looking at the passing classrooms. "A high school show that feels like high school."

"I doubt that", I mutter. And I do. Euphoria honestly seems like a more adult version of Monster High, and I'm not sure how I feel about that.

We finally reach Mr. Denton's classroom, and I glance up at him. "This is it."

"Yep." We stand there for a few seconds before Blink tussles my hair. "Have...fun."

"I wouldn't call English fun", I chuckle, suddenly feeling lighter. "But I will try."

"And I will try to get to class on time without running through the halls." I laugh and watch Blink jog away, smiling softly.

I'm smiling softly.

No. No, no, no. I know what this is, but it also can't be that. He is a friend, and that is it. It's as simple as a Dr. Seuss book, and it will stay as such.

This is too much.

I walk into the classroom and rush to my seat, Davey looking at me with question. "You okay?"