Pretty poetry

Todd (chapter 8)

I wake up facing Neil's empty bed. I look around as I sit up and realize that he is sitting on the floor asleep. His head is tilted back, resting on the side of my mattress right next to my hand.

All the embarrassing memories of me crying and freaking out last night come flooding back to me.

I want to punch my pillow or something. Like, I can't believe I did that.

I lightly tap Neil on the shoulder to wake him up. He jerks awake and rubs his eyes before turning around to look at me.

"Hey..' He yawns and throws his arm in the air to stretch. 'did you sleep well after.. that dream?"

"Yes, I slept well. It was fine."
I stumble over the words.

"Well good, I'm going to go get ready- I don't wanna miss breakfast."

"Yeah, ok, I'll see you there."
I plaster a smile on my face as he walks out of our room. Right as he shuts the door I turn back to my bed and smother my face with my pillow and groan.

Why'd I have to be so stupid? I even sounded stupid. Why'd I cry?
He was probably thinking I was acting like a child or something last night. There is no way I'm talking to Neil today, I'm too embarrassed. Ugghhhg

I begin to berate myself but a knock at the door interrupts that.

I get up and open it to see Charlie.

"Woah, Toddie, you got major bedhead."  He chuckles as he messes with my hair.

"What is it Charlie?" I say flatly

"I was wondering if you did the homework for Latin yesterday, Meeks says I can't copy his anymore because 'it's annoying'."

Oh shit, I completely forgot.

"By the look on your face I'm guessing you didn't do it either. That's ok, I'll just steal Meeks' when he's not looking and you can copy it too... Hey, I'll save you a seat at breakfast."

And with that, he walks away.

I get dressed, brush my teeth, and sprint to the dining hall. Breakfast is almost over and I'm starving.

I see that Charlie saved me a seat next to him. Neil is sitting on the other side of him. A full plate of food is already waiting for me.

"Thanks." I say to no one in particular when I reach the table and sit down.

"No worries." Neil answers.

I start digging in, then I look over at Charlie, who's copying Meeks' homework. Meeks notices and tries to look mad but fails and instead just gazes fondly at Charlie. Charlie doesn't notice but me and Neil do. Charlie looks up at Meeks as he quickly deflects his eyes elsewhere.
Charlie shrugs and goes back to copying.

~~~~

In chemistry I try to talk to Neil as little as possible, but that's hard because he's my chem partner. Luckily we're only taking notes today and that doesn't require talking.

~~~~

During Latin Neil turns to ask me something but I freak out and just shrug before he can even finish his sentence. He closes his mouth and opens it to say something but stops again when the teacher says:
"Is there something you have to tell the class, Mr. Perry?"
Shaking his head, Neil faces the front and glances at me every couple minutes.