Paper Planes

no shame // eleven

Football season was almost over, which meant that championships were up. So were finals.

Luke and Alice talked more frequently now and more hidden. Alice was careful to hide the letters she got from Luke so as not to get caught. She hated lying about it. It wasn't exactly cheating, but it wasn't exactly good either.

Luke, on the other hand, was just happy they were back on track and was waiting for his time.

They kept to their afternoon hangouts, but they never talked. They just wrote. They had written down so many random lyrics it was enough to make a song, but neither of them had realized it yet.

"Okay. Remember, all your essays are due Friday. No excuses and no late passes."

Friday? That was the date of the championship game. And they were the away team, they had to go all the way to the other high school, that was at least 2 towns away. Alice had always gone to the games ever since she had started dating Ryder, who was a football player, so everyone always assumed she was going.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Hicker?" Alice approached the teacher's desk as soon as the bell rang.

"What can I do for you, Alice?" She crossed her hands on the table.

Luke hadn't left the room yet, obviously waiting for Alice so they could walk out together, but not next each other like they always would.

"I was wondering if maybe you could adjust the due date of the essay?"

"Okay, what about Wednesday?"

"That's in two days. I was thinking maybe next week?" Alice bit her lip, hoping her wish be granted.

"No." Ms. Hicker began flipping through papers then stopped and looked back up at Alice. "Why?"

"Well, the football game is on Friday and we're going over to Rowland High that day." She explained.

"I didn't know girls were allowed in football."

"My boyfriend's on the team."

"What's your point?" Ms. Hicker asked one final time with an exasperated sigh.

"I wouldn't be able to do the paper."

"Wednesday then."

"I have a lot of projects and homework to do. I don't think I'd be able to do them all at the same time." She reasoned.

"Friday it is." Ms. Hicker smiled, already hoping Alice would leave.

"But I'm your top student. Don't I get like, some kind of advantage?"

"You do." Alice sighed in relief. "You have the option of passing on Wednesday. Goodbye Ms. Peters." With a final sigh, Alice left the room, almost forgetting Luke who presumed trailing after her.

"I'll see you after school, Luke." Alice whispered to him and he just nodded.

***

"What happened with Hicker?"

"I tried to get her to move the due date for the essay"

"How come?"

"Football championships are on the same day"

"So?"

"I can't pass the essay if I'm not at school"

"Then don't go"

"I can't not go. I have to be with my boyfriend"

Luke rolled his eyes at this. So what? She doesn't have to be with him everywhere. It's not like she was a personal cheerleader.