Freak Genius

Chapter 3: DAN

Chapter 3: Dan

   He would have been four minutes late to drama if Ms. Thine hadn’t given him a hall pass. “I know you had the best in mind. I’ll go ahead and give you a pass.” She said this as she beckoned him over, filling out a green slip of paper. As he was walking out the door he paused. “Oh, and Dan, will you run this by Mrs. Riker, the crisis counselor, on your way?” He nodded. Although 306 really wasn’t on his way to drama he didn’t feel like attending class. He wanted time to mull over his argument with Macy. She just didn’t understand that he couldn’t tell Brittany off. He hadn’t voiced one great fear of his. If he said anything to Brittany about talking about Macy behind her back she just might break up with him. She hated him telling her what do with a deep burning fiery passion. Of course he cared about Macy! Just not as much as he cared about Brittany.

            Then what were you doing this morning? This question just drifted into the front of his brain. The memory of the morning reformed in his head. If you care more about Brittany why did you hold Macy and wipe away her makeup? He frowned and halted in the ghostly hallways. I don’t know. It was still a mystery what had overcome him in the morning. He set off on his route once more. When the wooden door of 306 came into view, Dan scurried inside. There were two secretaries grinning broadly at him. “May I help you?” One asked, ever so politely. “Uh, Ms. Thine sent me to tell Mrs. Riker about something…” He trailed off as a young teacher with black and blonde hair appeared around the corner. “I heard my name?” Dan was taken aback. He’d never seen a teacher so… what was the word? Loose? Laid back? Attractive? “Yeah, I um was sent here by Ms. Thine to tell you something.” She jerked her head to the small hall around the corner. “Follow me please.” He pursued her into a small cramped room. Posters were crammed on the walls. There was a purple armchair and a single metal desk. “You can sit in the purple chair over there. I am ready to listen to whatever you have to tell me.”

            “Er…” He simpered, unsure of what to tell her. “I… Um… Maybe you should just have her tell you.” She cocked her head inquisitively. “Her?” Dan nodded, admiring the manila carpet. “Her name is Macy Jones. You might want to talk to Mr. Karr about her first though.” Mrs. Riker’s eyes clouded. You could almost hear her brain working. She was in very deep thought. Dan made to pull up from the fluffy armchair. “Mrs. Riker, can I go back to class now?” She nodded absentmindedly. So Dan, pass in hand, hustled out of the cozy room and into the rather standard hall. He shuffled along the wall and past the long desk. He streaked out of the room. The last thing he wanted to do was to go back to class. He knew he should though. School was important. It was essential. It’s a runway for you to soar off of. Feels more like a prison holding me back. He retorted to himself. Sniggering quietly, he pushed his way into the bathroom. A detour wouldn’t hurt… He had a pass.

            His stomach snarled viciously and Dan clutched it, groaning. All he’d eaten were eggs and toaster strudels. He remembered the snack he stashed in his drawstring last night and next thing he knew he was trashing the bathroom, analyzing the contents of his bag. When he glimpsed the small brown paper bag at the bottom, he snatched it hungrily and scarfed it down in seconds. Still reluctant to go to class, he zipped up the drawstring and pushed his way out of the bathroom. The freshman bell rang, and the hallway flooded with young ninth graders.

            Dan shoved his way through the puny freshman as he headed toward to drama class. Was I really that short just three years ago? He soon reached the door into the drama room. He sighed heavily as he leaned on the door. It opened with a high pitched creeEEK! All the students in the room turned their heads sharply toward the door. They were bunched together around circular tables. His teacher, Mr. Nollie, was standing on a platform opposite from Dan. His fuzzy brown beard reached up to his short brown hair.