Instead of Me

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Annie met me in the hallway before eighth period. "Can you pick me up from dance tonight?" she asked, stuffing her backpack with her Literature textbook and binder.

I shut my locker and leaned against it. "I guess so," I replied with a sigh, smiling.

Annie grinned as she zipped her bag. "Thanks. I'll need somebody to carry all of my stuff for me," she teased.

"Oh, great. I'm so glad I can be of service to you," I said sarcastically. I gently pushed her shoulder, laughing.

"So, you have Journalism next?" she asked me as we ventured through the crowded hallways, pushing past mushy couples, jocks flirting with cheerleaders, nerds rushing to class, and teachers warning students that the late bell was about to ring.

"Yeah." I nodded my head and wrapped my arm around her shoulders, keeping her close to me, and making sure nobody runs into her.

Annie turned to face me before she entered her Literature class. "Please try not to kill Heath." She raised her eyebrows at me and squeezed my arm.

"What do you mean?" I asked, deciding to act oblivious. I cocked my head to the side.

Annie rolled her eyes at me. "I can tell you don't like him." She stares at me with a knowing look on her face.

I shrugged my shoulders. "What's not to like about the guy?"

"Exactly." She started walking into her class. "There's not a single thing about him not to like-"

"I mean I'm sure there's something," I interjected, scratching the back of my neck. I hated how much she was trying to defend him.

"Shh. Just listen to me. Please. Don't mess anything up." She widened her eyes pleadingly. It made my stomach curl, how much she liked this guy.

I chuckled. "Annie, what is there to mess up?" I asked again, hoping she wasn't talking about the possibility of her and Heath becoming an item.

She shook her head in dismay. "Just be careful," she replied with an exhausted sigh, leaving me alone in the hallway.

I sighed through gritted teeth and went on my way to my last class: Journalism.

Journalism consisted of seven people. Me, as the photographer; Heath, the main reporter; Katherine, the layout designer; and four newbies who get stuck with writing stories about uninteresting stuff such as the gymnasium getting repainted. Heath and I also doubled our jobs this year as coeditors-in-chief. Honestly, I was surprised the class wasn't canceled with the low attendance and interest. Mr. Avery, the advisor, claimed the only reason it continued is because Heath and I won an award for an edition of the school paper last year.

"And there's my favorite student!" Mr. Avery exclaimed as I walked into class.

I rolled my eyes as I set my backpack on a desk and grabbed a key off of his desk. "You say that to all of your students, Avery," I replied in a monotone voice. I went behind his desk and unlocked the safe, pulling out a camera.

Avery leaned against the chalkboard, crossing his arms. "See, but I only mean it when I say it to you." He chuckled as the late bell rang. "Alright, ladies and gents, let's get to work," Mr. Avery said as he clapped his hands.

Everyone gathered around a long oval table in the back of the classroom. Mr. Avery took his place at the head of the table with Heath and me to his left and to his right. Katherine sat next to me, spreading out a possible layout of photos and stories with big headlines.

"So, this week, Finn," Mr. Avery started, "there is a dance recital tomorrow. I expect you to go and take some fantastic photos. I want this to be for our special ten year anniversary edition coming out next month." He ran his chubby fingers across his balding head as he leaned back, glancing at the sports schedule in his lap.