Everything Has Historial Importance

Chapter Three

Theo gets in line this time.

"Uh, do you think you'll find another note?" Samantha asks.

"I don't know. I have a feeling there will be though." I respond. There is. I pick it up. This time the paper is wrinkly, kind of yellow, possibly from age, and doesn't smell like anything. I open it.

Dear Timothy,

As I'm sure you've heard, my mother has passed away. I would love you to be at the funeral if you can make it. Mary'll be there. My mother loved you. She always said we should get married. I would always laugh and dismiss her. She would always say, "you need to marry a man at some point" I don't think I ever will. But enough of me. How are you?

Again, if you came it would mean the world to me.

Thanks,

The name is splotched, like tears had fallen on it. Too blurry to read. I hand the note to Samantha who squints at the illegible part. She takes off her glasses and tries again. Then, she hands Rookie the note. Theo comes back.

"Is that a new one?" He juts his chin at Rookie. I nod. Theo sets down the food and hands it out. Rookie gives the note back to me. I give it to Theo. He read it, nose scrunched.

"No smell this time."

"No, and no name again either," I respond.

"Would you say I was crazy if I said I would do anything to find out who the person was?" Theo looks at me, eyes nervous.

"I would never say you were crazy. I mean you already are, but not in a bad way."

Theo sighs and laughs a little.

"We knew that already though didn't we? Old news," Samantha points out. Rookie is scarfing down their brownie.

"What?" They mumble through food, playfully glaring at me.

"Nothing." I smile. "But I think that everyone who relates to me is crazy. I on the other hand am totally normal."

"Um. No. You are by far the craziest. I mean, you're not even straight." Samantha raises an eyebrow at me.

"That doesn't mean anything. But yes, I am the gayest of them all."

"You sure?" Rookie looks at Theo.

"Nope. I'm a low key gay," Theo smirks. He gives the note back to me. I put it away.

"Do we have math homework?" Samantha changes the subject.

"Funny question to ask. We have math homework every day," I roll my eyes.

"Right. What was it?"

"Page 13," I say opening up to that very page. Rookie groans.

"I can't do this math to save my life. How do you do 3D math on a 2D paper?" Rookie puts their head on the module.

"Well, technically, the paper is 3D, it's just really really thin."

"Don't mess with my mind, Theo!" Rookie sits up, slamming their hands on the table. Heads turn in our direction, eyebrows raised. Theo laughs, throwing his head back, making his hair flop back. Rookie glares at Theo, but this time it's a genuine glare. Theo throws his hands up.

"What'd I do?" He looks incredulously at me.

"Uh, you messed with Rookie's mind. They're even more confused than they were before," I answer. Rookie gives me a look of thanks.

"Can you help me, Marlo?"

"Sure," I say, moving over next to them. "So, where do you need help?"