The Dream Machine

Twenty

SANDLER

George and I entered the school together. It was a regular Tuesday morning, yet it wasn't. Someone was gonna do something to turn the tables just a little more. In the moment, though, we didn't have a care in the world. 

We reached George's locker and he started turning the lock to open his compartment in the school, "I am walking on cloud nine, George Whitaker." 

"What's got you all happy-high?" 

"Haven't you noticed? All three of my friends are conscious!"

George shut his locker and we started walking to US History. Strangely, we've managed to have that class with each other all three years of middle school. It's weird, unlike most schools, our junior high starts at sixth grade. 

As we continued down the hallway, I came face-to-face with him again. Him being Hunter. I did not have time for this. I wasn't gonna let some dumb jock ruin my good mood, "What do you want now?" 

"I wanted to say that I'm sorry for the way I acted to you," he said, his face told me that he truly meant it. 

"Oh," I said, meaningfulness flooding my tone. I was not mocking him when I said, "thanks." 

"You're welcome," he concluded as he walked away. 

George looked oddly from me to Hunter's back disappearing down the corridor, "What's with you two?" 

"Nothing," I answered, "he was just being kind. You know, maybe he is as kind as everyone says he is. Eh, maybe not, but that's not my call to make." 

"Whatever," George finished as we entered the classroom.

I didn't make it to my seat before I noticed that everyone was emptying the classroom, "What's going on?" I asked George. He seemed unsure himself, so we made our way back out to the hallway. It didn't take long to find the scene. George and I peered around the corner and found it. Lizzie was talking to Lloyd.

No one seemed to be hovering around them, just watching from a distance. George and I stayed in our position, sticking our heads out from the end of the corridor. 

"Lloyd, this is ridiculous! We're in eight grade!" Lizzie declared, she seemed slightly annoyed. 

"What are you trying to say?" Lloyd asked her. He was holding his breath when she said these words, I'm sure of it. 

"We're done, I don't need to have a boyfriend when I'm fourteen, it's utterly insane! So, I'm breaking up with you. Bye," she left without a single look back. Oohs flooded the hallway as Lloyd stood alone, the one time that he was the outcast. 

I turned back around and sunk to the floor. I practicaly screamed with joy. Lloyd and Lizzie were finished. It was my turn now. She could finally love me back.