The Lost Boy

Part One

Part One-

"That means he would have had something to do with that, that's the only way this whole thing makes sense." I stare blankly at the front of the class with the top of my pen in my mouth. The debate is controversy about the first president and something else, I'm not really paying attention.

"Just because he happened to be in one place at a certain time does not mean he had anything to do with the idea of solitary confinement of all persons exposed to the concept of equality. The founder could have been any man or woman walking past, you are looking at this so one sided. It's ridiculous."

That's what debate class is all about. I think to myself as I roll my eyes. I turn my attention to the clock at the back of the room, it reads 11:18. Class doesn't end until 11:23, that's when lunch starts. Five more minutes of this idiocy. I don't normally pay attention to the door during class time but an unfamiliar face is leaned against the door frame, I wonder how longer he's been there. Hopefully not long. His eyes are aided by glasses, horn rimmed, his hair is gelled neatly in place and both of his ears are pierced. His height stands at about 5'10 and he looks unimpressed, possibly with this debate session. I look down to his shoes and then back up to the front of the class. My eyes flicker, once again, to where he is but his position switches to standing straight up. He makes eye contact with Mr. Sanders and I watch as Mr. Sanders bring this BS to a stop.

"Thank you Hilary and Brenda, interesting debate. I'll be interested to hear the rest next class. Class if you will." He nods his head, signalling for us to applaud. Only a select few do while the rest of the class finally notices the boy standing at the door. The boy shakes Mr. Sanders' hand and everyone looks at each other, whispering to one another. "He's a little late but please welcome Alex, he'll be joining us for the rest of the year here in debate 11B. Make him feel welcome, Alex don't be afraid to ask for anything." As if almost on queue the bell rings and everyone dismisses the stranger and proceeds to their lunch break. I usually am left in the swirl of it so, to avoid the mess and chaos of the grade twelve boys and bitches, I stay seated. The teens tower over me as I gather my binder and text books as do my best not to make a mess of myself in the process. I tap my bottom lip with my pen as I try to place the assignment criteria under the proper divider. I tuck the pen between my lips when I finally decide on where to put it and open my binder rings.

"You know you have a pen behind your ear too." The boy, Alex, sits on the seat beside me and takes the pen from behind my ear.

"Never know when you're gonna need a spare pen." I joke as I take the pen from him and put it back to where it was. I look at him and bite the inside of my lip. "That was supposed to be funny." I go to zip my binder shut but realize I forgot my other pen. Worriedly, I look under my binder and on the floor for the glorious purple ball point pen.

"You do realize the item you're probably looking for is tucked behind your ear." I kneel on the chair and feel behind my ear for the lidless pen. Sure enough, it's there. I blow out a breath of relief and zip my binder shut finally, without the pen.. I pause and shut my eyes with a sigh. Now annoyed, I reopen my binder and put my favourite pen with the others. "I'm Alex by the way." He says as I zip up my binder and sling my backpack over my shoulder.

"Nice to meet you, Alec." I smile, followed a heavy breath to blow the stray piece of hair out of the way but to no avail.

"Uh, Alex." He smiles awkwardly and I turn away from him as he corrects me. I turn on my heel and face him, almost bumping right into him. He's right behind me.

"Oh my god, I'm sorry. Alex." The strap to my backpack slips off my shoulder and jerks my arm, causing my binder to slam onto the ground. I mentally slap myself before crouching down to grab my stuff, I feel my cheeks burn up and I roll my eyes. I don't have anything to be embarrassed about, chill.