Dragged to my knees

Chapter 11

The image is  of the Norwegian Buhund Ricky and Co met

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I wake up to the sound of my alarm and groan inwardly when I remember what day it is. As slowly as possible, I shower, dress up and have breakfast but still, I didn't act slow enough to miss the assembly. 

It's only just begun when I arrive and as I walk in, hundreds of eyes zone in on me. I can feel myself walking funny as I make my way towards the area where my classmates are seated. I love attention, but not like this.

Spotting a corner seat at the end of the row, I dive in without looking out for who's sitting beside.

"Hey, Ricky!" someone whispers. 

Oh, lord; no, no, no and no. Cautiously, I try to take a side glance at the boy sitting next to me and as I suspected, it is Melvin; the guy who has never heard of a toothbrush.

Without waiting for a reply, he continues. "You're late, but it's okay since nothing happened during homeroom anyway."

"Oh, okay." I mutter quickly before turning my head in the opposite direction.

Oh boy, I think to myself. This is going to be the longest assembly of my life.

The minutes drag on with Melvin basically having a quiet conversation with himself. I nod and grunt as much as I can but each time I reply, my nostrils receive a paralyzing blow.

 I never thought I'd say this, but I just wish Dr. Ellie would catch us talking.

After several minutes, it's all thankfully over and I zoom off without so much as a backwards glance as I don't want Melvin to walk next to me all the way to homeroom. 

Grabbing my binder from my desk where I'd dropped it off before attending assembly, I head to my locker to get my books.

As I get closer, I spot a familiar blond head and my mind drifts to the argument we'd had yesterday. Yes, he'd said some really annoying things but I'd treated him unfairly when he was only trying to help.

"Hey." He says, waving uncertainly.

"Hi Alex." I call before reaching to open my locker.

"Ricky, I'm really so-

"Don't" I cut him off, holding a palm in front of his face.

"I'm not mad anymore."

His face breaks into a grin. "Really?"

"Yeah, really." I reply. "I shouldn't have gotten upset in the first place anyway."

"No, you had a right to." He says, shuffling his feet. "I shouldn't have made it seem like I was forcing anything on you but I just care so much."

The corners of my lips upturn into an uncontrollable smile.

"And I mean that in the most manly way possible." He adds.

"Don't think about it too much." I laugh whilst playfully punching his shoulder. "I forgive you anyway."

"Thanks man." He replies and offers his hand for a fist bump. "How's your aunt though?" he asks cautiously.

"I haven't seen her since I was at your place but I reckon she's doing okay." I reply after bumping his fist.

'You should pray for her." He says. His voice sounds scared but this time, his words don't annoy me. I think of the Williams' and my lips curve into a smile.