Nerd // l.h [au] (re-writing)

Chapter 6 ~ "Are You Mute or Something?"

Avalon's P.O.V

If anyone were to tell me that I'd be staying after school for detention with Luke Hemmings, I'd probably laugh at them and tell them that they were crazy. But here I was, the day after I got my first detention ever, sitting in the sophomore world cultures room with Luke and Mr. Gerald, the music teacher. He was fixing a clarinet as I was reading. I didn't bother looking at Luke because he was most likely sleeping, even though it wasn't allowed.

The news of my detention did not go over well with my family. My mom literally gave me the "I'm not upset, I'm just disappointed" speech and then proceeded to tell everyone via the family group chat. My uncles and my one aunt sent me thumbs up emojis, since they were troublemakers in high school. My other aunt sent an "oh no" and my grandma drove all the way to my house to give me a lecture about throwing away my future. Nobody even believed me when I told them it wasn't even my fault.

I shook my head, trying to focus on my book. I've already read it about three times, but it was my absolute favorite. I was at the part where the main character, Clay Jensen, was on his way to Rosie's Diner, at the request of the deceased Hannah Baker. This book made me think about life and what other people may be going through, but it seems that I'm one of the only people in this God forsaken school that cares about anyone other than myself.

I felt a piece of paper bounce off my head and land on my page. I rolled my eyes and took the paper, not even bothering to open it and stuffing it in my pocket. The garbage can was too far away and I knew I was a lousy shot. Plus, I knew that if I missed Luke would hold it over my head for the rest of the school year.

Mr. Gerald stood up and opened the door, staring at me and Luke with expectant eyes. His hand motioned for us to walk out of the door as I furrowed my eyebrows at him.

"It's only 3. We have detention until 5," I said, feeling Luke glaring at the back of my head for reminding him of the remainder of our punishment.

"Yeah I know," Mr. Gerald nodded. "It's sad seeing you two mope around, so we're going to be productive. I need the band closet cleaned while I work on things for our upcoming band show. Don't bother me unless it's an absolute emergency. Now c'mon you two." He opened the door wider as I stepped under his arm, Luke close on my trail. The walk there was more awkward than in the classroom, me quickly falling behind Luke since his stride was so unnaturally large.

Once we arrived at the large band room, I took the lead into the band closet. It was average, about the size of my own bedroom, with shelves of instruments on one wall. The uniform carts had been moved to here since we had to clear the stage. Uniform bags were everywhere, raincoats as well. Some uniforms were even hanging out of their bags and on the floor. I felt Luke's presence as he took a sharp intake of breath. I instantly began picking up the bags, placing them on their respective carts, which were color coded.

"Do I have to do this?" I head Luke mutter as he stepped further into the room, causing the door to slam and me to jump. I wasn't sure if he was talking to himself or me, but for some reason I responded, giving him a small nod. He ran his fingers through his messy quiff before he picked up a handful of uniform bags with ease. He looked at me expectantly as I pointed to the appropriate uniform cart.

After what seemed like five hours, we were about halfway done with the uniform carts. Luke grabbed a bag and stuffed the clothes in it before he turned to me.

"Are you mute or something?" he asked. I turned my head and looked at him with furrowed eyebrows.

"You never talk or anything. Damn," he said, hanging the bag in its place. I shook my head, not even bothering to respond as I placed some dinkles in a bag and hung it up. Luke clapped his hands together and smiled.