Janice Lance Book 1: Monday Blues (Revised Edition)

Chapter 4

I walked alone through the hallway to the cafeteria and got in line to see what they had. Mac'n Cheese, chicken tots, mashed potatoes, green beans, and peach cobbler.

I got chicken tots and peach cobbler–my favorite.

I sat down and started eating by myself.

For about five minutes.

Andrew came over to me and sat down. "Hey, Janice."

I could hardly look at him. "Hey."

He opened his mouth but closed it back again. Then he suddenly spoke up.

"Did I do something to you?"

Wasn't expecting that.

"What?"

He took a deep breath. "No- I just mean- I'm sorry. For what I did in Science. And for always bothering you. Especially since you're new and everything. It's not that I don't like you or something, I just-"

My cheeks felt hot and I tried to look him in the eyes. I couldn't. It was easier to talk to my food.

I tried to keep my voice steady.

"Don't worry about it. You never got on my nerves anyway."

He didn't say anything for a second. Then all I heard was a quiet, "Oh."

I couldn't stop myself from laughing a little.

It was alright though. He laughed with me. Then he looked at me and smiled.

I never wanted to see him upset again. Like he was that day in the park.

I wanted him to look just like that. Smiling. Happy. He didn't deserve anything else. I only wanted him to be happy and to stay that way. I wanted him to smile.

Yeah, I was pretty in over my head, but it felt good.

I remembered when I saw him in the park–about a week ago. I had finished my homework and went out to take a walk like I normally do.

I went over to the park that was just up the street. It had the usual things you'd expect in a park–a slide, a few swings, and a bench for the parents to relax while their children acted like maniacs.

He was there on the bench with his head buried in his folded arms. I couldn't tell if he was crying or not.

Even though I was telling myself to turn around, I couldn't make myself do it. I sat down next to him. He jumped up but smiled gently when he saw it was me. There wasn't a tear on his face–they were all in his eyes.

He straightened his back and tried to be his usual self.

"You couldn't wait for our date huh?"

I didn't say anything. His face stretched into a grin as he sat down next to me.

For a while, we didn't say anything. But then he asked me if I liked the stars.

I answered, "I don't study them or anything, but I think they're nice to look at."

He said, "I don't study them either, but I like the way I feel when I look at them... Just like when I look at you."

The smirk on his face said it was only a dumb pick-up line, but his eyes said that he meant it. That's what I wanted anyway.

I pretended it didn't affect me. "You think you're slick huh?" And laughed a little bit.

He smiled at me for a second and spoke softly. "I guess not." And moved closer to me and interlocked our fingers. I guess he was kinda smooth after all.

I could still see that something was up with him though and I wanted to know what.

"You alright?"

He bit his lip and forced a smile on his face. "Yeah, I'm good."

I didn't believe him for a second. But I probably wasn't gonna get anything out of him, so I gave up. "Okay."

When I told him I had to be home soon he said he wouldn't mind walking me. I told him I wouldn't mind either.

We didn't say anything for a while, but he tried to break the silence.

"So... What's your... Favorite class?"

I guess it wasn't broken, but it was cracked at least.

"English. What about you?"

"English."

That made me happier than it should've. I guess it was because I never really knew anyone who liked it the way that I did.

I wasn't sure what to say, but I tried to keep talking.

"I just like to write in general. Stories and poetry and stuff. That's what I like most."

He started laughing, and I looked away from him. His eyes widened and he stared at me.

"I'm not laughing at you! I just don't know anyone who likes to write poetry like I do- that's what I'm laughing at. Not you."

"Oh."

I guess we really weren't that different.

I couldn't think of anything else to say after that. I guess he couldn't either because he didn't say a word to me until we got to my front porch. But he didn't let go of my hand. It was wrapped tightly around mine. I didn't want him to let go.

While we stood on my front porch, he slowly moved his hand away from mine and started to rub his neck. I moved closer to the door.

He stepped back too.

"I'll see you around Janice."

Maybe I could get things back to the way they were.

I spoke in the usual dry tone I saved for him and hoped for the best.

"And by 'around' you mean tomorrow, right?"

He finally looked at me, and once I saw the grin on his face, I knew things were back to normal.

"Yeah, that's what I mean. See, ya."

"See, ya."

He took one more look at me, stepped off the porch, and walked down the sidewalk. I watched him until I couldn't see him anymore. Then I went inside.

I snapped back to reality when I saw the teachers going around with the trash cans—signaling the end of lunch. I finished the rest of my peach cobbler and tossed the containers. It wasn't until he threw his stuff away that I realized Andrew was still there.

He asked me what class I had next.

"English. What about you?"

He rolled his eyes. "Math."

"Oh, you poor thing."

I don't think I ever realized how much I loved hearing him laugh. I did now.

I wasn't finished. As the bell rang I said, "Later, Mr. Lawrence."

"Later, Mrs. Lawrence."

I blushed and quickly spun around.

"What makes you think I'm married to you?"

"The certificate."

The bell rang and for once I didn't have a comeback. So, I laughed and shook my head, and started walking to English.