More or Less Grown-up Affairs

Chapter 10

"Mr. Hiney," the school counselor said, peeking her head around the door. "Would you excuse Calvin Hamilton, please?"

"Leave, beast." Mr. Hiney said, not looking up from his papers.

"Wet sock." Calvin mumbles as he walks out the door.

Calvin thought the walk to the counseling office was long and awkward, as it always seems to be. The session started off as it always does. The weekly update.

"How was this week? Was it better or worse than last week?" the counselor asked.

"I made a new friend." Calvin said, looking at his hands in his lap. "She's really nice."

"Did the bullies do anything this week?" she asked. Calvin shook his head. The fifth graders didn't do anything to him. He wouldn't tell her that they shook Kensie. "That's good. What emotions have you been feeling this week?"

"Is "no" an emotion? Because I feel it. A lot." Calvin replied.

"No is not an emotion, Calvin. Emotions are our feelings. How do you let your emotions out? What are your outlets?"

"My emotions have three outlets." He answered.

"And what are those outlets?" She asked.

"Haughty silence, tears, and rage." Calvin said, trying his best not to laugh. He thought he was hilarious.

"Is there any other outlet? Your friends have brought up concerns." She said, trying to look him in the eye. Calvin refused to answer. And that's how the rest of the session went. The counselor would ask him a question and Calvin wouldn't answer. He just looked at his hands.

When the session was finished, Calvin went straight to the cafeteria. He grabbed a slice of pizza and walked around, looking for his friends.

Adaline looked up from her slice of meatloaf and saw Calvin walking around the cafeteria, looking very lost. "Calvin!" She yelled, waving her hand in the air. Calvin walked over to the table, but stopped as he noticed Jorgelino "flirting" with Baldhart.

"Hey, Jorgelino," he said, putting his pizza on the table in front of his spot. "Come here for a minute."

"What's up?" Jorgelino asked as he walked over to Calvin. Calvin pulled him a little further from the table.

"Can you do something for me?" He asked.

"Sure."

"Please don't flirt with people I secretly like. It's rude and disrespectful." He said, looking at Baldhart. Jorgelino turned to what Calvin was looking at.

"I'm not flirting with her. I don't know how to flirt. I was just showing her my drawing from art." Jorgelino said, turning back to Calvin.

"Oh. Well I was just testing you. I just wanted to ask what you thought about the group project." Calvin said, smoothly saving his pride and dignity.

"The color project?" Jorgelino asked. Calvin nodded. "Well, group projects are nice until you realize everyone else's ideas suck except yours. I honestly don't care about the assignment though." Calvin nodded again, then, after an awkward silence, inhaled deeply.

"Well then... enjoy your lunch." He said before walking back to his seat. "Thale! You never told me what you wanted to tell me. I can't remember what we were talking about, but I remember you were trying to tell me something."

"No, I told you." Thale said, setting his crayons down in his coloring book.

"What was it? I don't remember."

"We were talking about the government and the effect they have on society. My attitude towards politics and society is constantly 'angry but unsurprised'. You should remember next time." He said, not looking up from coloring.

"Okay, chill. I was drunk. You don't have to be such an easy bake oven about it." Calvin muttered as he started eating his pizza.