May Fever

May 15th 2014

PRIVATE:

in which a character is asked by a child to explain something taboo in public

~

It was just Joyce and I that night.

Jory insisted that he spend some time with the 'guys,' which was an excuse to avoid Joyce at all costs. I tried to get him to try and speak to her, but he couldn't.

But one of the worst things you could ever do is ignore your crush.

Especially if that crush was your best friend.

Joyce could not stop talking about Shane and her upcoming date. I was already so tired, but now I had to listen to Joyce continue on and on...

"...and he's so cute, and I'm so excited, and-"

"Joyce," I croaked. "Can we please go to bed?" Joyce looked at me and pouted as she examined me quietly.

"Why so glum, chum?" She asked. I sighed and rubbed my eyes.

"I'm just tired," I said honestly. Joyce stayed silent and grumbled something to herself before finally going to bed without saying another world.

~

Today we were doing what was called 'Buddy Day.' We always spent a day with the students from the elementary school each month. Our grade was with the second graders, so they were neither good nor bad.

Joyce and I walked together towards the elementary school, trailing behind Shane and his friends. Joyce insisted that we hang out with them.

We stopped in front of the school and listened to Mr. Tong instruct us, and put us into groups. Joyce and I were together, with Jory, Iris, Isabella, Andre, Shane, Barney, Darius, Wayne, and many other students.

~

We entered the classroom to many students cheering as we walked into the classroom. I never realized how low the classroom was until I looked at Darius and the other guys, and how their heads hovered below the ceilings. The second grade students realized that too and were blown away, and for some reason I was grinning to myself as they pretended monsters by lifting second graders from his chair.

As Darius placed the student down he looked up to me, my wide smile diminishing. I watched his face turn red as he looked at me, a smile forming on his face this time. He winked slowly before turning his head to the teacher, causing me to force back a smile. Joyce pinched me slowly in the arm.

"You two are so cute," she peeped.

"Stop," I insisted. Joyce insisted that we get together, but I couldn't. Not after what he did.

Everyone walked towards the students and Joyce and I stood there, clueless. We exchanged a look before walking towards two girls who were sitting together quietly. I knelt down beside the girl who had high pigtails and tan skin. She sat there chewing fruit gummies quietly, handing some to the boy beside her.

"Hi," I said with a smile.

"Hi," she said through her stuffed mouth. I watched her cheeks bounce as she quickly tried to finish. "I'm Maya," she said with a swallow.