...smile because it happened...

#4- You would't happen to know a Kirsten Dallas would you?

The next day at school, I told Callie about our game. I told her about Clarissa and how we won and what Coach had said to Clarissa after the game. I talked quickly, trying to get every detail of the game in before lunch was over. When I finished talking, Callie sat there, a blank expression on her face.

"Callie?" I asked, trying not to show the all to clear worry in my voice. "Callie are you ok?

"What? Yes, I'm fine. What were you saying again?" Callie looked up at me with a jerk, as if coming out of some sort of trance or something.

"Never mind. Are you sure you're ok?" I asked, getting up to throw away my trash.

"Geez Jamie, let it go. I'm fine. Leave me alone ok?" Callie's voice was hollow and even though I knew she meant to sound angry, she just didn't.

I watched as poor, emotionless Callie walked off and I sighed.

Oh well. I think That's life.

I have 5th period next and so I walk to Mrs. Arnold's classroom, alone, when Callie would usually be by my side. While Mrs. Arnold starts talking about some stupid field trip we are taking in a week, I zone out and let my mind wonder. I think about basketball and class and Callie and Clarissa and...

"Jamie? Hello? Do you want to buy a school lunch or bring your own for the field trip?" Mrs. Arnold is standing over me and looking down on me, as if I am a dead animal that she as recently run over with her car.

"What? Oh. Uh. I don't know...I'll buy a lunch I guess." I mumbled and Mrs. Arnold nodded, moving on to the next student and writing down something on her clip board.

Just as I was leaving the classroom at the end of class, Mrs. Arnold stopped me and said "Jamie will you stay a moment?"

I walk over to her desk and she looks up at me, her hard grey eyes drilling a hole in my very existence. We stay this way for a moment or two until she finally breaks the awkward silence.

"Jamie..." Mrs. Arnold says in a voice that was a little to kind for my personal comfort "Jamie you didn't turn in the paper that was due yesterday? What happened? You are my best student."

Oh no! I totally forgot about that paper! It's sitting half finished on my desk at home! I panic and look at Mrs. Arnold "Uh..." I say as an excuse.

"It's alright Jamie, just have it in to me by the end of the week ok?" Mrs. Arnold looks at me with a kind look in her eyes and smiles right at me, "Is that alright Jamie? Or do you need more time?"

"That is really generous, that you very much." I said.

A whole three days extension! I think, amazed and astonished.

I shuffle out of the classroom, and on to my next class, mentally adding one more thing to my list of things to worry obsessively about.

Why was Mrs. Arnold being so weird and nice to me?

{---}

My last class of the day, 8th period, is when I have Science with Mr. Gray. I usually love this class because I love Science and Mr. Gray is one of the best teachers imaginable. Today though, the class went a little bit differently.

I stepped into the classroom and seat down at my desk, the third in from the right on the second row. I took out my Science notebook and started to write down the agenda for today, like I was supposed to. Then Mr. Gray walked in and addressed us all. He said that we were going to start working on something new and then he handed out a worksheet. I took out a pencil and looked at the first question. Instantly, it became clear to me that I had no idea what was going on. I stood up and walked up to Mr. Gray's desk.

As I approached the desk, Mr. Gray said "Hey Jamie! How are you? Having a good day? What can I do for you?"

I looked at Mr. Gray sharply, he was being awfully chirpy.

"Uh yes, hi. I was just wondering if you could help me with this first question."

"Of course!" Mr. Gray said happily, and he proceeded to tell me exactly what the answer was, in the same chirpy happy excited voice.

"Thanks." I mumbled and walked away. After I left I watched another student, Jake Hampton, walk up to Mr. Gray's desk and ask for help with the first question, just like I did.

To my absolute horror, Mr. Gray said "Now Jake, how about you think about this question for a second and then I'll explain it again ok? I am not just going to give you the answer, you know that."

The rest of my Science class went similarly, with Mr. Gray coddling and babying me as he treated the other student like normal. This was getting annoying and by the time that school was over, I was about to explode from all the unnecessary, unexplained, and obnoxious special treatment.

After the bus dropped me off on the top of my street, I ran down and slammed my backpack down onto the driveway outside of my house. Then I ran inside and grabbed a water bottle, filled it up and snagged a granola bar. I ran to the garage, and swung my leg over the seat to my bike. I peddled outside onto the driveway and grabbed my backpack as I whizzed passed. Then I proceeded to do something that I had not done in a long, long time. I biked down my rode and turned left. I made another left and then a right, three lefts, and two more rights and then I biked along the main road until I reached the hospital. There, I paused to make no one was watching  me. I left my bike in the woods by the hospital and slipped into Emergency Room waiting room. Here, I said hello to the lady behind to desk and then I said in the politest voice I could muster, "You would't happen to know a Kirsten Dallas would you?"