Moonlight Love

English

2 Months had passed since Ellen started school with Patrick. Everything was going fairly well. Ellen kept to herself and Patrick and a few other people but not much. She did well on her work in most classes but math.

Patrick's dyslexia is giving him anxiety

***
"Class. Break up into reading partners. List is on the board." Mrs.Rhimes the English teacher pointed to the chalk board which had everyone's name in cursive on it. Patrick stayed in his seat while everyone rushed up to read it.

"Don't you want to know your partner Patrick?" Ellen asked, tilting her head as she got up. Patrick shook his head, shrugging.

"They'll come to me." He said, feeling the grooves of his desk with his fingers. Ellen went up to find she had been partnered with Christopher.

"You're the new girl, Ellen right?" He asked, his voice already deeper than most boys. Ellen nodded, sitting with him. They opened their books. Ellen glanced to see who sat by Patrick. Jill.
****
"So you seem to know the new girl well." Jill commented as she sat by Patrick. Patrick shrugged,

"Yeah. I met her before she came here. She's really nice." He said. Jill rose a brow,

"You know if she fills her frame out she might be able to make cheer team in 8th grade. But you know if she does that you-"

"Have to go bye I know how it works Jill. My sisters went here." Patrick cut her off, opening his book.

"Oh. Anyway, she needs some girl friends. Let her know that she's in. To my group. I can't wait to get some makeup on that fresh little face. She's new Patrick, she's gotta be protected. Am I right?" Jill asked with a smile. Patrick ran a hand through his tangle of hair, nodding.

"Sure." He said. Mrs.Rhimes came over, giving him a stare.

"I don't see you reading Dempsey, this is your first warning. Fink, come on you too." She said before walking away. Jill rolled her eyes,

"Just read it out loud like the rest of the class," She told him, looking down at the book. Patrick's stomach knotted as he looked at the page. It seemed normal to him, so he began to read.

"We what were ware in ye old..." Patrick began trying to read but it sounded like gibberish. Jill squinted her eyes at him, looking back and forth from the text.

"Can't you read?" She asked in a low, uppity voice. Sweat rolled down Patrick's brow, he felt like he was going to throw up. Jill already made him so anxious and upset, so bringing up his reading issues was the worst.

"Oh no, he's going to hurl!"

Jill sat up as Patrick covered his mouth. Vomit spread up the back of his throat and as Jill stood, he could see Ellen. Her small, round face full of concern as he got up himself.

"You need the nurses Patrick?" Mrs.Rhimes asked, writing a note. She handed it to Patrick who darted out of the room to throw up in the hallway.

Thankfully it was an empty hallway. Quickly he found himself in the boys bathroom, washing his face. His stomach kept churning and suddenly he felt bad for himself. He was a looser. Patrick saw Ellen's concern but thought about if she knew. She'd probably be as horrible as Jill, that day they met she carried a lot of books. She obviously read a lot. The back of his throat burned as he swallowed, trying to pull himself together. He had a nurses pass but didn't want to use it. A boy from another class walked in with a pass in his hand, giving Patrick a look. He knew who it was. Seventh grader. He used to be his best friend, Eric. Once Eric had learned Patrick was repeating fifth, he stopped being friends with him. His excuse was that they're friendship wasn't worth it if they wouldn't see each other. Patrick locked himself inside a stall on the far end away from Eric, as he calmed down. His palms were sweaty, knowing if he went back to class he would have to read. It was all too much. A few minutes passed and finally Patrick peeked out, ready to go to ready. He walked over quietly, slowly opening the door.

"Glad to see you feeling better Mr. Dempsey."

Patrick walked back to his seat, realizing the spot across from him was empty. Jill had joined Ellen and Chris in the corner. They had finished their work and were talking pretty loud. Patrick looked down at his book, seeing the words. He understood what they were but the second he opened his mouth to say them they jumbled up.

The bell rang.

"We will pick up tomorrow class, more reading." Mrs. Rhimes said as they started to run out.

"You alright Patrick?" Patrick turned his head, seeing Ellen standing beside him. She looked concerned. He blushed looking up at her.

"Um yeah I'm good, see you again during lunch." Patrick waved her off, trying to keep his stomach from twisting.

"Oh! Um I'm sitting with Jill during lunch today, sorry Patrick." Ellen said before leaving as the warning bell rang. Patrick's stomach dropped and he found himself swallowing back more vomit. Jill? This had bad written all over it.