It's the End of the World

Chapter 9

2 Days Until Homecoming

"OK, tip #1. When you walk into a hallway, don't just walk but walk."

I walked into the 7th grade hallway extra slow this time because usually I walk pretty fast.

"What are you doing?"

"You said walk, so I'm walking! What am I supposed to do?!"

"That's not what I meant!"

"What did you mean?!" I wasn't sure if anyone could hear me talking, but some people were giving me strange looks.

"I meant walk like you have swagger."

I staggered into the hallway.

"No, not stagger, swagger."

"WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN!"

"I don't know, I just heard some kids your age use it."

"Fine, I'll try my best then!"

I still don't think I was doing it right because when I tried to do it, it looked like I was trying to punch someone.

"I don't think you're doing it right."

"WELL THEN HOW DO YOU DO IT?!"

"I don't know. You know what, just forget about swagger."

I let out an exaggerated sigh.

In band, we were practicing extra hard because we were going to play at a football game tonight. As if I didn't have enough trouble handling everything else. I'm actually really good at band since I'm part Janus, but it was still hard. The music itself wasn't that hard, it was just managing to control everything else. I don't have much to say about that, I just wanted to bring it up.

At lunch Justin was trying some more to help me get a date.

"OK, I have an idea. Turn the speaker on the communication device on so it seems like what I'm saying is really what you're saying."

"I can trust you on this, right?"

"Yes." That was the biggest lie I've ever heard.

"OK, I'm going to talk in a really low voice. Girls like that."

I turned the speaker on.

The first thing I heard was, "Hey, do you like my low voice? It's a really low voice isn't it?" I wanted to bang my head against the wall. I get why he would say girls like low voices, but this was extremely low. Like cyclopes voice low.

"My name is Jeff." If he said one pick-up line, I was going to bang my head against the wall. "Did you fall from heaven?" Here it comes. "Because that would explain how you messed up your face." If looks could kill, the girl in front of me would be wanted for murder.

After she left, I chewed Justin out. "WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!"

"I was trying to help."

"BY GETTING ME KILLED?!"

"I don't know."

"You know what, I give up. I have a football game to worry about tonight. I'll worry about Homecoming tomorrow."

I turned off the speaker before he could protest.  

1 1/2 Days Until Homecoming

It was finally the night before Homecoming when the band played at the football game. We played all the regular songs like the Star Spangled Banner, On Wisconsin (I have no idea why, our school isn't in Wisconsin), our school's anthem, and Louie Louie. Finally, during half-time, we got to go to the concession stands. Did I mention how much I like to eat? Yet somehow, I manage to stay skinny. Anyways, my arms were full with candy, frito pies, popcorn, and soda. My excuse was that I needed something to keep the fact that I didn't have a date off my mind. The football game went well. No Vespers tried to kill me. After the football game, I walked back to the band room with my hands full. As I was putting up my instrument, this girl, Kimmy (Not real name) came in.

"Layton, hurry, go ask Abby to the dance tomorrow!"

"I already did," I said gloomily.

"Today?"

"No."

"Well ask her right now! She'll say yes!"

I started to do it, but then I thought again.

"Wait, I'm not falling for that trick. You tell me to ask her, but she doesn't really like me just to embarrass me."

"It's not a trick. I promise."

I didn't get to ask her that night. I would have to wait until the next day. I stayed up until midnight trying to finish my homework. When I went to bed that night, I had something I didn't have before. Hope.