The Addie Alexander Challenge

⁕ 4| José ⁕

"It's Friday, Friday!" I sang down the halls. "Looking forward to the weekend!"

"Shut up, man," a kid hissed as he pushed past me. "Friday!" I yelled at the back of his head. He raised his right hand and gave me a less than kind gesture. I gave him a thumbs up.

Dancing all the way, I came through the door and everyone that I didn't go to school with last year looked at me funny. I bobbed my head up and down as I looked for a seat. There still wasn't an assumed seating chart yet and everyone was still deciding where to sit. To fill the space of me deciding where to go, I started humming and dancing to Watch Me Whip.

A girl on the other side of the room stood up and started dancing with me. "Yeah!" she cheered. That only made me dance even more.

I could see people rolling their eyes. I faltered a little. I had a huge smile on my face and stopped dancing. The teacher clapped. I bowed. The girl who was dancing with me was smiling widely and clapping too. And people ask me why I like school so much.

I dropped my backpack by a desk. Several of the guys looked at each other. One of them, Adrian, nodded to me. "What's up, José?"

"Not much. You?" He shook his head. He leaned forward. "I think Xavier was going to sit there."

"Ah, well. He can find another spot."

"Or... you can."

I rolled my eyes and stood up. Whatever. They were saving Xavier a spot. I understand that. Now I just needed a seat.

"Sit by me." I looked up and saw the girl I was dancing with. She smiled. I nodded, secretly relieved.

She led me to where she was sitting. She patted the the desk to the left of hers. I set my backpack down and turned to her. "Thanks."

She smiled brightly. "Thank you for sitting next to me."

I chuckled. "What's your name?"

"Adelaide. Or just Addie. Addie Alexander." She laughed. "Sorry, I'm a little weird."

"No, no!" I said, laughing with her. "It's great. I'm José."

"I knew that already. I mean I already had an idea." She covered her eyes. "Sorry! I swear I've been talking for the past 16 years just fine. What I meant was that I heard someone saying your name yesterday."

This girl was hysterical! "Well, it's nice to meet you, Addie Alexander. Thank you for dancing with me."

"Can't turn down a dance party." She looked at me seriously. "Ever."

"Oooh!" She gasped suddenly and grabbed my desk. "What if we could get the school to play music over the intercom instead of the bells on certain days?"

This girl gets me. "Yeah, it could be like... Music Monday or something."

Addie clapped her hands. "It's perfect! Do you want to ask the secretary with me at lunch?"

"I would love to."

Who needs a huge group of friends when you have this girl?

⁕

I was sprawled out on the couch, reading a book I had checked out from the school's library. Addie had recommended The Giver and I was quite enjoying it.

I was probably one of the only people at school that would rather be there than at home. No one understands why. And I can't really tell them.

The garage door opened and I jumped to my feet. The book fluttered to the ground. Crap, crap, crap. Dad's home. I ran about the room, picking up stray pillows and wrappers from my little brothers. I had lost track of time reading and I was going to pay for it.

I dashed to the kitchen. Crap. I turned the hot water on in the sink and began to throw dirty dishes in. I scrubbed them as fast as I could.

I looked up at the clock and my heart stopped. 4:00. I was supposed to pick up Vincent and Julian from my neighbor's house fifteen minutes ago.

Dropping the sponge, I turned and ran out the back door without any shoes. I climbed over fence separating mine and Mrs. Ceja's yards. I knocked on the backdoor then just opened it.

"Vince, Julian!" I called. "Dad's home."

I could hear two sets of running feet. My brothers appeared from the kitchen, shoes in their hands.

"Thank you, Mrs. Ceja!" the three of us called. I pushed them out the door.

We ran as fast as we could to the fence. I picked up Vince and held him over the fence. He grabbed the top and pulled himself over. I could hear him drop on the other side.

"Clean up, guys," I told them. I boosted Julian over then climbed over myself. I landed hard on my feet and fell to my knees. A shadow came across me. And I knew who it was.

"And what's this?" Dad asked quietly. I took a deep breath and looked up. "Sorry, Dad. I lost track of time."

"Get up."

I jumped to my feet. Dad turned to my brothers. "Finish the dishes." They ran into the house without a word. Then Dad looked at me. "How long is it going to take before you learn?"

I didn't say anything. Dad sighed. "You know you will be punished for this, right?"

I nodded and dropped my gaze. "What do I need to do?"

"Make dinner but don't eat it. And I'm suspending your lunch account for tomorrow. You can eat the breakfast I set out but that's it."

I gasped and looked up at him. "Okay, sir." I would never say what was on my mind.

I need food but I could go a while without it anyway. At least he didn't take away-

"Also, no truck. You'll be riding the bus tomorrow."

I nodded solemnly. "Is that it sir?"

"Go inside and clean up. Get dinner ready in the next hour." I nodded again and ran into the house. I got off easy today! Still, I couldn't wait for Monday to come.