No Small Potatoes

Chapter 6

You've already taken it twice, Matthew asked incredulously as we were walking out of class. I simply shrugged. Who takes the SAT as a sophomore, he asked. My sister, I returned. So that's why you did it, because your sister did it, he asked. I thought the practice would help, I said. 

Matthew simply laughed. Your class schedule makes sense now, he said. Yours doesn't, I returned. Why, he asked. Two Art classes, I asked surprised. I wanna be a Graphic Designer, he said. I didn't say anything, but Matthew saw the look on my face. What, he asked. That seems like a hard field to get a job in, I said.

Okay mom, he said as we both laughed. We got to the Junior Hall and walked to my locker. He was still standing nearby as I was unlocking the lock. What are you doing, he asked. I need my backpack, I said as I opened the locker. This is my locker, he then said. What, I asked. He pulled out a phone from inside the other backpack and unlocked it to indicate it was his. 

You're my locker-mate, I asked surprised. We don't get our own lockers at this school, he asked. No, I said. Chase did, he said. There must be less Seniors than Juniors, I said. I thought somebody was pranking me cause all my stuff got moved, he said. That was me, sorry, I said. We both stood for a moment processing this situation we were now in. 

So, we're gonna share a locker all year, he said. Looks like it, I said. Another long moment passed between us. I knew it wasn't a big deal, but for some reason it felt weirdly intimate that we were now going to be sharing a locker. Is that okay, he then asked me. So the decision was going to fall to me. 

If I said no, my friendship with Matthew was probably going to end before it even started. If I said yes, the lies I had already started telling Rani were just going to keep piling up. Just don't touch my stuff, I said sarcastically. He then poked my backpack. Evicted, I said as we laughed. 

Matthew offered me a ride home, but I said no. I was tempted so I wouldn't have to make the two mile walk, but no more rides in cars with boys I just met. Technically two boys I just met, since Chase was gonna be there too. I chatted with my friends for a minute who once again missed seeing Matthew, and were starting to give me a complex of whether or not he was real. 

As I was walking home I realized I'd never seen anyone else talk to him. When I went to his house the first time he was home alone. When I saw him the second time, Chase walked in and talked to me but didn't say anything to Matthew. And in class just now he didn't talk to anyone except me. Oh my god. Did my loneliness create an imaginary friend?! 

My freak out caused me to not pay attention as I was crossing the street. With a car barreling toward me. Hey, someone yelled as they grabbed me before the car could hit me. We fell back onto the sidewalk as I scrapped my elbow. Ow, I said looking at my skin red and bloody. Do you ever watch where you're walking, my savior asked in that snarky tone I had become accustomed to. 

What are you doing here, I said as I turned to see Chase on the ground next to me. Walking home, he said as he stood up. My eyes widened, why wasn't he driving home with Matthew? Oh my god, Matthew was a ghost! What's wrong with you, do you have a concussion, he asked seeing my panicked face. 

Do you have a brother, I quickly said. Yes, he said slowly. Is he, alive, I asked scared. We're going to the hospital, Chase said as he pulled on my good arm. Just answer the question, I said shaking off his grip. Last time I checked, he said sarcastically. Are you sure, I said as relief re-entered my body. 

What did he ghost you or something, Chase asked. Maybe literally, I said. What, Chase asked confused. I've never seen him talk to anyone, and my friends don't think he's real, I said. Chase stared at me for a second until a smile filled his face and his burst out laughing. Wait, you think you've been talking to a ghost, he asked as tears came out his of eyes from laughing too hard.