TEENS

Chapter 10

I watched Kari at lunchtime. Her usual spot on the lunch bench outside was actually right outside the window next to my regular table. Kyle, one of my friends, was drinking milk through his nose, pausing only to complain about how much life bites. In other words, he was totally distracted and wouldn't question my stalking of Kari.

She laughed when her tiny friend whispered in her ear and then proceeded to dig into her same purple bag and pull out a book to stick her nose in. It was then I also realized she was wearing the same sweater from the day before, and the day before. In fact, it was the same sweater she was wearing the day we got detention.

"Okay," Brian said, kissing me on the top of my head. "You've got to tell me why you're always stalking that girl,"

"Babe, I'm not stalking her," I lied.

"Then what are you doing? Watching her very, very closely?"

I shrugged slowly. "Yeah,"

He laughed and passed me a slice of pizza. I gave him a look of gratitude and then basically stuffed it into my mouth. I'm not sure if Brian had heard about my little spas attack earlier today. If he had, he didn't show it. I had pulled my sleeves all the way down to my hands, afraid that the small cuts I got from punching the ground would show.

"How's that project going anyways?" Brian asked, his mouth full of food as he sat beside me.

"It's kind of going," I replied. "We have a concept and stuff. That's pretty much it,"

"Well, you'll think of something," he said. "You know, I don't only like you because you're smoking hot. You've got brains too,"

"Oh, yeah?" I asked, whacking him in the arm.

He pretended to look hurt. "Manners,"

Just then, Wren walked over and smiled down at me. At first I didn't notice him, but when I saw Brian's conflicted expression, I knew it could only be a guy who stood beside me. Sure enough, when I raised my head, I saw Wren's big brown eyes staring right back at me.

He held out a blue folder. "Sorry, I thought this was mine from earlier,"

I could basically see Brian stiffen, even though my back was turned to him. "Thanks,"

"Are you feeling better?" he asked, his eyebrows actually furrowed in concern.

I nodded. "Thanks,"

"Listen," he looked down at his feet and then up at me again. "I didn't mean to freak out earlier. I just, I don't know. I'm sorry,"

"No, really, it's fine," I said, wishing that he would just walk away.

"Can we," he paused, gave a nervous laugh, and then looked back at me. "Can we talk later?"

Brian coughed and I nudged him. "Sure,"

"The end of the day? Back on the field?"

"Uh huh,"

"Great," Wren smiled. "See 'ya,"

"Yup,"

I knew Brian was glaring at Wren's back as he walked away. I just busied myself with the cheese that continued to fall off of my pizza; it really was getting everywhere. But Brian wasn't buying it. He placed his hand underneath my chin and tilted my face up to look at him.

"Who was that?" he asked, drawing his hand away.

"Wren Oscar," I replied, nonchalantly.

"Wren Oscar? What kind of name is that?"

I shrugged. "A weird one,"

"What'd he want?"

"You didn't hear?"

"I did, but I want you to tell me,"

"I just, he gave me my stuff back."

"So you guys were talking earlier?" Brian asked, the tone in his voice accusatory.

"Sure,"

"Why?"

"I don't know, gosh," I said. "What is this, twenty questions?"

"I just like to know who my girlfriend is talking to,"

I placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled at him, leaning my head toward his until our noses were touching. "There's nothing to worry about. I promise,"

"And what about you?"

"What about me?" I asked.

Brian pushed a strand of hair behind my ear. "Are you okay?"

I laughed. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"You look, distracted. Like something else is on your mind,"

I quickly pulled away and stared back at my pizza. "I'm fine,"

"See? You just did it. You pulled away," Brian said. "What's going on, Lyle?"

"I said I"m fine,"

"You're lying,"

"And you're obnoxious,"

Brian raised his eyebrows and then shook his head. "Fine. Then I'll just leave,"

"Sounds good to me,"

I sat the table now, by myself. I had no idea where nose-drinking Kyle had gone. Even Kari and her friend had lelft their usual spot. Once again, I felt isolated. I guess it was partly my fault, seeing as I was being a real jerk about everything today.

I thought of my mother at home, gasping for air, barely able to move on her sides. I didn't understand why my life had to be this way. Why did my father have to die, leaving me to take care of not just an irresponsible little boy, but an irresponsible mother as well?

Why couldn't things just work out for me?