Trying Not to Snap - TMD

Chapter 1: Les Gets Twenty Bucks

Adam

"Finish the worksheet later if you didn't in class today," Mrs. Tanner, my A.P. Geometry teacher, instructed as the bell rang. "And remember the homework!"

Mrs. Tanner was a short older woman, with thin blondeish-gray hair, and glasses. She was stern, and demanded respect just by being in a room. People seldom talked back to her, and if they did, it didn't end well. Albeit, she was a good teacher, and the class was challenging in a good way.

I doubt many of the other kids heard her, despite her usual demand for respect. They had already started to pack up, and talk and laugh with their friends. I only really heard her because I sat in the front of the class, all the way to the left, by the door. Plus, I didn't have any friends to talk to in most of my classes anymore.

It was weird being in A.P. courses now. My whole schedule was switched around, except for the electives. I only ever saw the other Ducks during school in gym/health —which I had with Charlie, Connie, Guy, Fulton, Julie, and Goldberg— and Study Hall, which I had with everyone except for Connie, Julie, and Kenny.

I wasn't used to the schedule yet either, as today was my first day moved up. Ms. Durman, the school guidance counselor, kept her word from Monday, about making my schedule.

It was interesting to say the least. But like Ms. Durman told me, I was able to handle it. At least, that was what I was telling myself.

Charlie didn't like it, as he was alone with Larson now in Biology. But he promised to be nice to him as long as I gave him extra kisses at the end of the day.

Finally, I thought as I maneuvered through the traffic in the hallway. Lunch. Another one of the few times I was able to see the other Ducks during the school day.

I made a beeline for the Ducks' usual table, without grabbing food first and dropped my bag down at my usual spot. No one was there yet, but Charlie.

"Hey, Banksie. You okay?" Char asked, putting a light hand on the small of my back. I tensed, because we weren't out yet. But it wasn't really anything new, Charlie being touchy. It was his love language with everyone. I relaxed quickly and offered a small smile.

"Yeah," I mumbled, then lowered my tone so no one else but him could hear. "Better now, finally seeing you." Charlie grinned at that.

"I miss being in your classes." He said softly.

"Me too."

Averman sat down at his usual spot, two seats to the left of the spot right across from me. "Oh my god..." he said, staring at us. A smile slowly grew on his face. "Oh my god!" He stood, glancing at us every couple seconds as he scanned the cafeteria. "Ah, Goldie!" He called, beckoning for our backup goalie and number one defensemen to come over.

Goldberg rushed over from the lunch line, lunch tray in hand. "What? What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Averman smirked, then gestured to us. "Look."

Now, I was really concerned.

Goldie just stared, silent. "I don't know what I'm supposed to be looking at, Av."

"Them!" Averman gestured to us again, this time with both hands.

"What about 'em?" Goldberg asked, sitting down in his spot left of Averman. Averman rolled his eyes and sat back down, too.