One Detention Saved My Life

Chapter 8

    I open my locker and notice that there is a note inside. I pick it up and start to read.
     Tim, I know we just met yesterday but I was wondering if you'd want to have lunch with me and the yearbook staff. I eat lunch A by the way.
        Amy.
   I smile. Nobody's ever asked me to have lunch with them before. I'm also a little creeped out. How in the world, Amy, did you find my locker?
     I push that creepy thought aside, grab my Algebra II textbook, and hurry off to class. I get there right when the late bell sounds.
     "Today Class, we are going to do a review on how to do systems of equations. We will be starting off with the graphing method."
     Mrs. Freeman passes out packets and rulers and begins teaching.
     "So first things first, can anyone remember from last year which number is the y-intercept and which number is the slope?"
    I raise my hand and Mrs. Freeman calls on me.
   "The slope is the number with the X, while the y-intercept is just a plain number."
   "Correct. Brett could you tell us what the slope and y-intercept are for the first problem?"
     I look at the first problem: y=3x+5
  I know the slope is three and the y-intercept is five. Brett answers five seconds later.
   "The slope is 3x and the y-intercept is 5."
  "Very good. Can someone tell me how to graph this line?"
     Nobody answers so Mrs. Freeman calls on Lydia Summers.
      "You put the put the five on the y-intercept and go up three over one."
    "Very good, Lydia."
  We do this for the rest of the period. It's so incredibly boring that I find myself nodding off. I don't fall asleep, because I don't want to get in trouble for something I can help. The bell rings and I jump out of my seat and head out the door.
      I get to Mr. Kelsak's room surprisingly on time. Brett didn't even try and bully me today. He sailed right past me to get to his next class. I just kind of figured that this was Chad's way of messing with me. He wants me to be happy, and when I'm least expecting it that's when he'll order Brett to pounce on me.
  Well, I got news for you, Brett. That's never going to happen because I'm never letting my guard down.
    "People, today continue reading your books. I expect them to be read front to back by Tuesday."
   None of us argue. We know that by now it's pointless. Mr. Kelsak always wins.
"That's what I like to hear. Mr. Hemlock I would like to see you up at my desk."
   The room remains completely silent as I make my way up to his desk. There isn't even a muttered "ooh". That's what always happens when people think you're in trouble. It's like Mr. Kelsak brainwashed them.
   "You wanted to see me, Sir?" I ask as I'm inches away from his desk.
    "I just got done grading you're vocabulary test."
   "And?" I ask.
  He pulls it out from under a stack of papers. I notice that there are a lot of red X's. And then I notice the ugly score on top of the paper.
  "You got a D," Mr Kelsak states matter of factly.
   I feel like I've been punched in the gut.
   "I never get D's," I reply softly.
  "Well, there's a first time for everything, but I'm willing to make you a deal."
   "Deal?!" I ask in a somewhat high voice.
"I'm willing to bump your grade on this test up to a C if you stay after school with me on Tuesday and I quiz  you verbally on the words. But I will only bump your grade up if you get most of the words correct."
     "It's a deal," I reply heading back to my seat.
   I try to focus on reading Something Like Fate , but I just can't concentrate. I'm too worried about whether or not I'm going to pass that test on Tuesday. Of course I will, because this time I'm going to pass. If a set my mind to something I usually end up accomplishing it.

   Lunch finally arrives and I'm in line for chicken tenders and fries. The line is huge with like a gazillion kids in front of me. After about ten minutes I get my food and head for Amy's table. It not hard to find because I spot Amy's reddish-brown hair from a mile away. I go over there, but stop when I hear that there is a conversation going on.
   "Are you sure this hot guy is going to show?" A girl with strawberry- blonde hair asks.
   "I told you he's not hot! He's just extremely cute. Kim was the one that told me where his locker was."
   I should have known that you had something to do with this, Kim.
   "I'm in homeroom with the guy so I should  know what locker he has. I don't know what you see in him anyways."
     The guy next to the girl with strawberry-blonde hair says, "Relationships are all about trust. That's how Amanda and I are still together." The guy kisses the girl with strawberry-blonde hair, which I now know is Amanda, on the lips. I've seen enough. Now is the time to tell them.
   "Guys, I'm the cute boy Amy met on the bus."
   They turn around and start laughing, except for Amy, who's cheeks are rosie red.
    "Why didn't you tell me you were there?" Amy asks embarrassed.
    "I wanted to see how far you'd go. I agree with what you said about me being cute."
   Amy blushes again. "Did you hear everything?"
     "Yes. May I sit next to you?"
    "That's a stupid question. Of course I want you to sit next to me."
   I go over and sit down next to Amy. It feels so weird to be sitting at a table with a group of people.
   "Are you going to introduce us to your guy friend?" Amanda asks.
    "Tim, this is Amanda, Kim, and Jeremy. Guys this is Tim."
  "Hello. It's nice to  meet all of you, although I already know Kim."
  "And how do you know each other?" Jeremy asks.
   "We've known each other since elementary school. We used to be best friends," I reply taking a bite of a chicken tender.
Kim just sits there quietly picking at her food.
  "What happened between you two?"
Amanda asks
  "I ruined Tim's life," Kim says softly. "I told the whole school that Tim's mom murdered a young woman."
  "Your mom---"
"Yes, Amy my mom killed her classemate when she was seventeen. I know you hate me now."
   I get up fast from my seat, grab my tray, and start running.
   "Tim I---"
I don't  stop to hear the rest of what she has to say I just keep running. Truthfully I'm pissed off at Kim. Amy's a nice girl and she ruined any chance of us ever having a friendship. I run into the bathroom, lock the stall door, let out a scream, and punch the wall. My knuckles throb, but at least it takes my emotional pain away. I leave the bathroom just as the bell rings, and head for fifth period.
   
   I slam the door shut as I climb into Dad's truck.  My horrible day has finally come to an end.
     "What's wrong with you?" Dad asks.
   "Stupid Kim blabbed to this girl that I met yesterday about Mom murdering her classmate."
   "You met a girl yesterday? Why didn't you tell me?"
   "I met her on the bus coming home from detention. She was taking pictures for the yearbook."
     "Was this girl pretty?"
  "It doesn't matter because I'll never see her again."
   "Don't say that. Did she say that she hated you?"
  "I ran off before she could respond, but she had a look of shock on her face."
  "Then there's still a chance things could still work out."
   "You left Mom, and she never took you back."
  "Leave your mother out of this!"
   "Oh, and how is she?"
   "I assume she's still unconscious at the moment because I didn't get a call from the hospital."
    "I know you tried to kill her! Your part of her accident!"
   "Not this again! I had nothing to do with her accident!"
   "I just want to be left alone!"
   Dad, doesn't say anything back. I think he finally realizes that I want to be left alone. I put my head against the window, and watch the road disappear behind me.