One Moment

~ Chapter 3 ~

Looking out the window, I was once again distracted. When was I ever going to actually use “3 (x + 4) = 45?” Mr Grande seemed to think that I was going to become a mathematician, or whatever. I think not. The rain splattered done on the glass window, mirroring my feelings. Confused, I straightened back up and looked at my maths workbook. The problems blurred on the sheet, confusing my brain even more. Rubbing my temples softly, I picked up my blue pen. Writing my guess, I packed up my books, the bell going seconds after.

Walking out of the room, I bit my nails, worried about the next week. Report card week. Mum and Dad had promised to buy me an iPhone if I got at least a C in everything, except in Maths and English where I had to get a B. But counting on how I was currently going, my iPhone was fluttering out of my grasps. At least Keith had offered to help me. Keith. I hadn’t really thought about him all Maths. Not that I expected to be thinking about him in Maths, but you know.

Opening my locker, I put my books and laptop in my bag and grabbed my current phone out of my bag. Texting Pete, I told him not to wait for me. His response came back seconds later. “Y not?” he asked. Geez, I thought to myself. Why were boys so inquisitive? I replied, “Staying @ school with friend for Maths homework.” Placing my bag on my back I swinged my locked shut and turned around, bumping into Pete standing right behind me. “Well, hello there,” I said, smiling. He didn’t return the smile. “Which friend?” he asked. “Uh…” I said. “Keith?” I said, almost like a question. “That new kid?” he asked. “Yes,” I replied. “Oh, that’s fine!” he said, a grin enveloping his whole face. “I thought it might have been that kid Dex!” “Oh,” I replied. Dex was the school’s “bad boy.” Pete used to think I had a crush on him, which was why he initially thought I was meeting him. He is hot, don’t get me wrong, but I have NEVER liked him!

“Have fun,” Pete said, giving me a kiss on the cheek and walking off. I turned around and started walking towards the library. I found Keith merely 5 metres away from where I had been standing with Pete. “Hey,” I said. “You still up to helping me out?” He nodded and looked down at the ground. I knew the ground in our hallways wasn’t very interesting, so something was wrong. “Are you okay?” I asked him. “Yeah, yeah,” he said. I flashed him a quick smile, and dropped into step beside him. “So how was History?” I asked, politely starting a conversation. “It was good. We learnt about World War Three and started a project. Maths?” he asked. “It sucked,” I said, then quickly realised what I had said. “No, no, no, I didn’t mean it like …” Keith silenced me with a grin. “Don’t worry,” he said. “Maths isn’t for everyone.”

I still felt bad though, so I insisted on buying him a milkshake after the library. He didn’t object. We spent the whole time in the library laughing and mucking around, that we eventually got kicked out. Walking down the main street smoothies in hand, we are still chatting. We may be talking about stupid things, but I like hanging out with Keith. I hadn’t had this much fun since Jake was here …