"Alright class we're going to begin on Edgar Allan Poe." Mrs. Longston announces. Groans erupted from the class, I didn't groan. I loved E.A.P, he had a hard life, everyone had something to bring them down. She began to pass out books when the guidance councilor walked in. They chatted for a quick minute then a small boy walked in. He was wearing a grey knit sweater with a collar poking out and black skinny jeans with swede, black boots. His dirty blonde hair was shorter on the sides and curly on top. His face was blank and his eyes red.
"Students," Mrs. Longston began."This is Patrick. He's going to be our new student." He gave a small wave. "For now, you can sit by Michael. Michael raise your hand." I put my hand up slightly over my head. He slugged over to me and plopped into the chair next to me.
"Hey man I'm Michael Geithmann." I held my hand out to him. He shook it with a firm grip. "Where are you from? If you don't mind my asking."
"I'm from North Carolina. Um. Patrick James." His voice was deep and gravely. He paused and looked to the book on his desk.
"Woah, what brings you here?"
"My mom just got a job at some newspaper firm."
"That's cool."
"Yeah, I guess." We didn't talk the rest of class, mainly because if we did Mrs. Longston would make us read and entire poem to the class.
When we began packing up, I finally had a chance to talk to Patrick again.
"So, who's your next teacher?"
"Um," he looked at his new schedule. "Mr. Whittaker. US History."
"Mind if I see the rest of your classes to see if all of our classes are side by side?" He gave me a small smile. After 2nd block, we were across campus the entire day.
"I'll show you to your next class. I'm a teacher helper next block so if I tell her what I'm doing, I'm sure she'll be okay with it." I smiled to him and he smiled back. The bell rang, we stood and walked to me next class.
We walked in and Ms. Stirmac greeted me wish her usual loud voice and large smile.
"Hey Michael. New student?"
"Yeah, I'm going to show him around if that's okay with you?"
"Of course. I have nothing for you so, be my guest." She turned to Patrick. "I'm Ms. Stirmac by the way."
"Hello." He mumbled to her.
"Come on, let's not make you late." We walked out of the class and across the hallway. There were already several people in the room. They all looked at us, a few waved to me.
"Get out Mike." Mr. Whittaker called from the storage room.
"I'm not in here for no reason. You have a new student." I called back in a tone that matched his.
He poked his head out of the room. "Really?" He walked over to us. "Hi, I'm Coach Whittaker."
"Hi." Patrick said quietly.
"Can I steal him for about 30 minuets. Just to show him where his classes are?" Coach sighed.
"I guess. Stay out of trouble and off the girls. I'm doing this for him." He sounded like he was about to start a lecture.
"I know. I know." I said, obviously annoyed. "Come on." I said to Patrick.
"What is he a coach of?"
"Soccer. He's my coach."
"You play?"
"MVP 2 years in a row. Varsity and JR varsity." I had a big smile on my face. I had a right to be proud.
"Cool." He said back to me.
"What about you?" I asked him, not taking my eyes off of him. "What do you like to do?" He glanced to me.
"I play piano sometimes. Um." He paused. "That's it really."
"Really? Are you any good?"
"I've been playing since I was young so I would hope so." The conversation trailed off. The hallway was silent and we walked, not going anywhere in particular. I mean, I should've been showing him around but I just liked his company.
