THE NARCOLEPTIC GENIUS

CHAPTER 6

Monday came and it was back to school again. Marybeth wished the injury was worse so she could skip school for a week or so but she was well enough to go to school and her parents weren't going to let her stay behind. They didn't see why being the laughing stock would affect her studies. They told her just to keep to herself.

Of course her day was awful. Upon entering the hallway, people were laughing at her and pointing fingers. Her and Debby weren't on good terms so she had to do it alone. Joseph was also embarrassed so he wouldn't be any consolation. School felt super lonely without her friends. She sat alone for lunch and everywhere she went, fingers were pointed and comments were made.

It was finally time for recess and Marybeth was just hoping her mom would be outside the moment she stepped outside but she was disappointed to find out she had to wait. A second on the premises felt like years at this point.

She sat down a bench to wait. A few minutes later, she noticed Cameron heading in her direction. She thought he was going to just walk passed or give her a hard time. She braced herself either way.

"Hi, "Cameron said. "Look, you really don't have to act nice to me. I don't need your pity. Just do what everyone else is doing, call me a freak or whatever, "Marybeth said. "I don't think you're a freak, " Cameron said. Marybeth looked at him confused, "You don't? " He shook his head and sat down next to her. "Really? Why? "Marybeth asked turning to him.

He scoffed and said, "This is weird to say but when I was your age, I had a crush on this really beautiful girl. And believe it or not, I wasn't always a hunk you know. " "Yeah right, " Marybeth said. "Okay, I was still cute but only coz mama knew how to dress me, " Cameron said. Marybeth giggled a little under her breath. "Anyway, I finally gathered the courage to ask her out and she said yes. Someone told me you're supposed to kiss on the first date but I didn't know shit about kissing. So I practiced kissing with a soccer ball. "

Marybeth's jaw dropped a little, "Nooo. " "Oh yes, I put a lil make up here and there, a wig and buttons for eyes. Sexiest ball I've ever seen, "Cameron said. Marybeth laughed a little. He watched her laugh then smirked a little and said, " So if you're a freak, so am I. " Marybeth felt better and gave him a little smile.

"What's up with the bandage though? " Cameron asked. "I had a sleep attack and hit my head real hard when I fell, " Marybeth said. "Oh, that's terrible. Is it painful? " Cameron asked. "Not really but I gotta keep wearing this thing for two weeks or so, " Marybeth said. "Pass me a pen or a marker, " Cameron said. Marybeth looked in her bag and took out a pink marker. "Oh, you love pink huh? " "I guess I just think it's cute, " Marybeth said. He took it and signed on her bandage.

"But I change bandages everyday, " Marybeth said. "Then I'll sign on one everyday, " Cameron said. Marybeth tried hard not to blush. For the first time she felt some chemistry. Maybe her chances weren't so low. Then she heard a honk and snapped back to reality. She saw that her mother had come to pick her up. "Well that's me, " Marybeth said and got up to leave. "Let me walk you there, " Cameron said. And walked with her to the car.

Marybeth got into the car. "Hello Mrs Williams, " Cameron said. "Hi, Cameron right? "Mrs Williams asked. "Yes, " Cameron said, " I just wanted to apologize for what happened on Friday night. We didn't mean to be so careless. " "Oh, how kind of you. It's okay, she's fine now and that's what matters but you understand if I don't allow it again, right? " Mrs Williams said. "Of course. I don't blame you, " Cameron said, " Am I allowed over though? Surely you can trust me with her in your house. " Mrs Williams hesitated and looked at Marybeth, who seemed excited, so  she said, " Of course, all her friends are welcome to come over any day. " "Great, I'll come over on Saturday if that's okay,  " Cameron said. "Perfect, " Mrs Williams said. "Okay, bye Mrs Williams, " Cameron said. "Just call me aunt, " Mrs Williams said. "Okay then Aunt, goodbye. Bye Marybeth, " Cameron said waving through the window.

As they drove away, Mrs Williams saw Marybeth blush through the rare view mirror. "Well, isn't he a nice guy? You got a crush on him? "Mrs Williams asked. "No, " Marybeth pretended. "Oh, but he's so cute. I'll take him if you don't, " Mrs Williams teased. "Mom! " Marybeth screamed covering her face shyly. Mrs Williams smiled.