What Should I do? | Shawn Hunter

vii. The Way You Are

CORY DID SOMETHING stupid 

It wasn't surprising Cory and Shawn were always known for causing trouble and being a little dense in the head when it came to cooking up schemes or at least in Kardern's opinion. He knew they were smart most of the time (something he had mentioned to Shawn) but it seemed when their schemes were involved there were no bounds to their stupidity 

And what did Cory Matthews do that was stupid?

He made a bet with Mr Feeny 

What possessed him to think this was a good idea? Kardern has no idea but here they are, Cory at the front of the class or as Cory referred to himself 'Hey dude' Kardern may have snorted at that but quickly covered it up with a cough, and while Cory was their teacher he attempted to try his luck and sit in the boy's old chair and while Cory noticed he didn't say anything and while it looked like Mr Feeny wanted to say something about his students switching seats he stuck to the rules of the bet and bit his tongue 

"What's with the change in seats Osborn?" Shawn leant forward in his chair, his voice no more than a whisper in Kardern's ear. Kardern attempted not to let Shawn's presence or voice distract him but of course just like every other time he was unsuccessful in his attempt at doing so 

It seemed ever since Shawn had become Kardern's friend, the former had found every excuse to be closer to the latter (and even in some cases made up excuses in order to just say two words to him) it annoyed Kardern to no end  but he also found himself liking the idea of somebody wanting to be around him

Even if that somebody was Shawn Hunter

Kardern took a deep breath in through his nose and sighed, not giving Shawn the satisfaction of him turning around. He was probably smiling and Kardern did not want to see that "Just wanted a better view of the board Hunter"

"Oh, is that so?"

"Well I wanted to see if Cory would actually teach us something"

"I wouldn't hold my breath there. Look"

Eyes pivoted to the front of the classroom where chaos had already started to fall apart as Cory had already undone the majority of the rules that had been set in place by Mr Feeny and Mr Feeny seemed to be doing not anything to stop the downward spiral of chaos 

"People, people, people. Are we going to do our Social studies work today?" Minkus piped into the chaos and suddenly both Cory and Shawn's attention was on him. While Kardern hoped the fallout wouldn't be that bad, it was Shawn and Cory and with no teacher to stop them there was bound to be chaos 

"Minkus. Minkus, Minkus. Shut up"

"That was rude"

"It would be if Minkus was an actual person but it's a Minkus"

"So that means he's beyond being nice too?" Kardern snapped, his hand curling around the pen as he fights the urge to punch something or someone. He knew it wasn't all that bad but something about it just ticked him off "Would it be the same if it was me asking to continue the lesson?"

"No that's not what I mean--"

Even when Shawn was trying to talk to Kardern and apologise they were once again interrupted by Cory who stood at the front of the class "OK, guys, for homework tonight... read the first pages in whatever that book was that George assigned us yesterday." 

"But that was the assignment last night."

Not long ago, I was a student myself... and I remember that sixth-grader don't always do their homework so this way, everyone gets a second chance" Cory explained and while Kardern liked the sentiment of what he was saying. Kardern was still too worked up to do anything or to form coherent thoughts

All he could see was red

"Excuse me, Mr Hey Dude, but I did my homework." 

"Minkus, get a life. That's your homework assignment. Get a life"

After that, Shawn tried to talk to Kardern again but Kardern ignored him, retreating into his book again because he knew his book couldn't hurt him (and he also knew. He couldn't get detention again for reading in class if Mr Feeny wasn't teaching) and Kardern ended up ignoring Shawn for the rest of class despite Shawn's attempts to talk to him

* * * * * 

The next day rolled around more quickly than Kardern wanted, he was still really angry with the whole situation but he knew as much as he wanted to, he couldn't skip class it would probably get him in more trouble when the situation was resolved 

When he stepped in, Kardern almost wished he didn't, if he thought yesterday was chaotic then today was just beyond that, Kardern turned on his heel ready to just leave and face his punishment another day but Shawn stopped him before he could go out and then held him by the arm and pulled him out into the hallway for privacy 

"Look. I'm sorry for yesterday okay? I don't know why you're upset but I'm sorry that I was the cause of it" Shawn let out in a rush. He seemed to be quite shy to be apologising to Kardern but the fact that he was actually apologising was a surprise to him but just because Shawn apologised it didn't make all of Kardern's anger ebb away but it did make it slightly better

"So you're saying sorry even when you have no idea why I'm actually upset?"

"...Yes"

"Well then Hunter, I can't help you"

Kardern went to walk away, leaving Shawn looking guilty and a little upset and it settled a sense of something that Kardern didn't like but he didn't know what it was and it caused a knot in my chest but he was willing to push it aside until Shawn opened his mouth and said something

"Please Kardern...I don't like seeing you upset"  

Kardern turned around slowly and looked at Shawn, not daring to draw breath at all. It was weird whenever Shawn called him by his first name, he had gotten so used to his last name falling from his lips that it didn't quite feel right. He liked being called Osborn. Especially by Shawn "What did you call me?"

"Karden" Shawn repeated, this time softer 

"Why?"

"That's your name, isn't it?"

"Yes but you never call me Kardern" Kardern rebutted, his voice matching Shawn's softer tone   "Or well hardly ever and it just took me a little off guard"

"I needed to get your attention because then you'd realise how serious I am. Now, why are you upset at me, for picking on Minkus? Because me and Cory see we do that all the time"  

"I know but now it's different because now we're friends and Minkus and I we're quite similar and well if you're making fun of Minkus...It kind of feels like you're making fun of me too because your picking on the traits that me and Minkus have in common"

"How many times have I got to tell you, Osborn? I like you for you"

The anger ebbed away some more, something about Shawn's words settled her a little bit more and he was no longer seeing red. He could finally breathe better 

Just then Mr Feeny walked by them and nodded in their direction, which caused a shock to stir through Kardern as Mr Feeny was dressed in a baseball shirt and had on a baseball cap. To both their surprises, he didn't say anything but walked into the room 

"Want to come with me? I'm playing Poker with Mr Feeny today"

"Yes. Promise me you won't annoy Stuart?"

"Not even a little bit?"

Kardern sighed "Fine, just a little bit?"