45 Days to Save the Bad Boy

Thirty-Two

Day 37

Today, Breton and I continued with the list.  I dared him to smile at everyone he passed throughout the day, and he did it.  Peter monitored him in the classes they have together, and Dallas did the same.  I kept an eye on him during lunch and after school, up until the minute he kissed me goodbye and walked into his house.  It still frustrates me how he does that, but I’m getting used to it.  And now I can do it to him, too.

Dallas quit his job yesterday.  Mr. Joel let him go with some grumbling, but no trouble.  As far as I can tell, Dallas’ life is pretty good right now, but there’s still something bothering him.  I asked about it, but he said it was nothing serious and he’d tell me later, when he knew for sure if it was something or not.

Peter has been flirting with Hayley lately.  As far as I can tell, it’s just harmless flirting.  Breton says they do this every once in a while, flirt with each other.  But apparently they always stay friends.

We crossed another thing off the list today, and I’ve got a few more things until we’re done.  The countdown has started, only eight days left of Operation 45D.

Day 38

One week left.  Today, Breton held my hand in the hallways, causing Donna to ask if we were together.  Breton just smiled at her, which she apparently took as a yes because at least five people congratulated me during class.  

Mr. Toms gave me back my first 100% test of the year.  Yay me!  He also congratulated me on being on time for the past month.  I had a brilliant idea, and told him it was all thanks to Ms. Scott the librarian, and recommended that he talk to her sometime.  I know she’s still in love with Jim, but one date with Mr. Toms probably won’t hurt her.

As for Operation 45D, I had a talk with Breton about how people aren’t bad.  He pretty much already knew everything I told him, but I had to emphasize it so that it could be crossed off the list.

Day 39

We’re down to two items on the list, George.

Try talking to him about his childhood

Show him that people aren’t bad

Dare him to smile at everyone he passes, maybe he’ll get in the habit again

Bring out his inner child

Don’t let him listen to Peter, who’s an anti-social grump

Have him list his positive qualities (maybe he’s insecure)

Teach him to be genuine

Offer and accept more invitations on his behalf

Take him out in public and introduce him to people

Today was supposed to be “Teach him to be genuine” but then he sat me down and we had a talk about how confessing his feelings pretty much crossed that one off the list.  I knew he just didn’t want to be more genuine, but since I don’t really know how I was supposed to teach him to be genuine anyway, I agreed and we crossed that off.

Day 40

Five days left, George, and all synched up is five pages left.  Breton looked at the last item on the list and scribbled it out, saying that he didn’t see how that would help him anyway, and then he kissed me and said thanks.