The Answer Lies in the Truth

Chapter 5

"Guys, like, the flu is definitely coming around." Chloe said fanning herself and panicking.

I sifted through the halls looking for Christine. She had texted me this morning asking if I was alright, and I told her I'd meet her.

Last night I slept, and dreamed of nice things. It was calming. I made a good recovery from yesterday, and dad looked proud when he woke up with a crooked back from sleeping in a chair all night.

I met Chloe and asked her if she had seen Christine. She scuffed at me flipped her hair and pointed to the bathroom. "You just missed her." She said walking away. That was a bit dramatic. What did she have against me?

Someone came up behind me and grabbed my arm. When I turned to see who it was no one was there. I got a tap on my shoulder and turned to the other side. Again I found no one. I turned back forward and there was Brooke. Laughing at me. "Hey Jer, you look better today!" She said happily.

I nodded and laughed too. "Yah, amazing what a little sleep can do." She nodded and laughed, even though nothing I had said was funny. Girls are weird like that.

I was going to talk to Brooke some more, but Christine walked out of the bathroom so I excused myself to go talk to her. Brooke sprang over to where Chloe was.

Christine smiled when she saw me. "Jeremy, so glad you came to school today!" She laughed, and I laughed, because obviously that was something funny! Hahahahaha h a ha huh... she's looking at me weird.

"Me too!" I said with another string of manly giggles. God, I'm such a loser. She looked around and smiled at me. Was that blush? "Are you wearing makeup?"

She smiled through her very shiny lips. "Yah! I have a job interview after school today so I thought I would just go ahead and wear makeup so I don't have to worry about it after school, ya-know?" I nodded, because that's what you do when a girl asks you a question you have no idea how to answer. "Oh! By the way, I'm not going to be at play rehearsal today!" She said in a sad tone. "Sorry for just dropping the bomb like this!" She laughed nervously. I guess I missed my social cue, because her laugh faded. It was getting really awkward really fast.

"Jeremy, Christine!" It was Jenna, I guess she was back at school. "Hey, I've been trying to find you guys! I went through some stupid shit and got grounded for a month so I don't have my phone." She said boisterously. She looked between the two of us. "Are you two..."

"No!" We both said in unison. She laughed and nodded.

"Okay, okay, I'll leave you two alone," she backed away and smiled. "See you around."

It was a couple of minuets, or seconds, I couldn't tell, but I wanted to say something. So I said what was on my mind. "So...what's your favorite color?" I said blushing.

"Dark blue!" She laughed, "why?"

"No, I just, you know, I was wondering...that's all. How are you with computers?"

"Jeremy where is this coming from, you know that I am good at Microsoft powerpoints, but other then that I can't do much." She said looking at me oddly and messing with her backpack straps.

"I uh...mmmft..." Weird noises, yes a very sane choice.

I stood with Christine a bit in silence. My awkwardness had distorted any attempt at a normal reaction and we were saved from my awkwardness by the bell.