Red Converse

Chapter 4: School

I walked into Silver Harbor High School, nervous because I knew I hadn't done my homework and my backpack was nowhere to be seen. Everyone gave me weird looks, but I shrugged it off because it was nothing new. I didn't recognize any faces around me, but I was honestly only looking for one.

I stepped into Mr. Clay's English class and took a seat. I glanced over at the empty seat beside me, wondering what was taking Aaron so long. He wasn't usually late, but today seemed like an unusual day. Other students filed in, saw me, and whispered to each other. I traced my fingers on the pencil sketches on the wooden desk. I was tempted to add to the art, but I didn't have a pencil. Oh well.

The warning bell rang, and Mr. Clay waltzed in with his normal pep in his step. He greeted the other students as they scurried in. As everyone took their seats, he scanned the class for any absent kids.

"See anyone missing today?" He asked the class.

My hand shot right up.

"Yes..." Mr. Clay started to speak, but as soon as his eyes connected with mine, he fell silent. All of my classmates turned to stare at me.

"Peter?" Mr. Clay whispered out, shocked with what looked like confusion.

"Yes, here. I wanted to report that Aaron isn't here yet. Should I text him to check if he's ok? He's never late. Something must be wrong," I rambled worriedly as I tapped anxiously on the desk.

"Peter? What are you doing here?" My teacher questioned as he glanced down at his attendance sheet then checked the date on the board.

"What do you mean? I know I don't have my backpack or my homework or even a pencil, but are you really kicking me out?" I started to get frustrated as Mr. Clay made no comment on my concerns about Aaron.

"Is this a prank?" A kid who casually arrived late asked as he plopped down at Aaron's desk.

"Excuse me," I spoke up, moving my attention away from Mr. Clay.

"Yeah, man. Are you a new student or something?" The student quizzed me as he pushed some dangling black strands of hair out of his eyes.

A headache appeared out of nowhere.

"You need to get your haircut," I commented as I pulled at a strand of his shoulder-length hair.

The words echoed as I held my head tightly with both my hands.

"Peter... Peter... I need you to go to the office," Mr. Clay requested gently as he helped me stand up.

"Ok. Please let me know if Aaron shows up. Also, I'll bring the homework tomorrow," I apologized as I stumbled towards the classroom door.

"Oh, don't worry about the homework. I promise I'll let you know if I see Walker," Mr. Clay promised and I checked his eyes to see if he was being honest. His eyes held a mix of pure pity and determination as they met my serious gaze.

"Pinky promise?" I offered up the hand that wasn't still holding my head.

"Of course."

My teacher lifted his right hand and sealed the promise he had made.

"Pinky promises can never be broken," I stated as I stuffed my hand in my sweatshirt pocket.

"I wish you were right, Peter. I wish you were right," Mr. Clay sighed as he watched me limp out the door and into the hallway.

I tried my best to stay concentrated on the tasks Mr. Clay gave me, but everything I passed caught my attention. I found a poster on the wall which stated in big, fancy letters that the winter dance was approaching. I put the date in my phone calendar and walked away smiling, trying to remind myself that Aaron could say no to my question.

I entered the school office and told the sweet office lady, Ms. Bean, what had occurred. She nodded along with my very detailed story then told me politely to take a seat. I sat down on one of the five slightly comfortable, slightly uncomfortable grey waiting seats that lined the wall. I leaned my head back, and tried to plan how I would ask Aaron the question if I could work up the nerve.

Ms. Bean spoke quietly on the phone, and that was the only sound in the office. I got anxious about missing English class, but I reminded myself that Mr. Clay told me not to worry. I took deep breaths and watched the snow fall outside. I wondered if Aaron was late because he stopped to make a snowman. It wasn't very likely, but it kept me calmer thinking about that than the fact that he could have been in a car accident because of the ice.

"Peter." I snapped out of my thoughts and looked over to see Brett standing in front of me.

"Why are you here, Brett?"

"I was going to ask you the same thing, Peter." He seemed upset as he breathed heavily and held his hands tightly into fists.

"I was just going to school," I explained, confused by his mood.

"Peter..." Brett started as he crouched down so we were eye-level, but Ms. Bean interrupted him.

Brett gave a huge sigh then walked over to the secretary's desk. They whispered so quietly that I only heard bits.

"He... not... student... not allowed here... trespassing..." Ms. Bean's voice spoke softly.

At the word "trespassing", I came to the conclusion that they must be talking about DJ. He is such a troublemaker. I almost laughed to myself after picturing DJ trying to climb over a fence in a classic robber costume. My laugh came out as a cough, which caused Brett to glance at me with a bit of a glare. I sunk down in my seat and stayed quiet.

"I'm sorry... sorry... no charges... please... trouble... confused... sorry," Brett murmured to Ms. Bean in the softest tone I've ever heard him use.

"Yes. Take him home. I understand the situation." Ms. Bean gave Brett a small smile.

I was glad that Ms. Bean understood the situation, because I was still completely confused. Brett's tense shoulders sagged as he thanked Ms. Bean multiple times and wished her "Happy Holidays". She smiled and gave a little wave as Brett returned to me.

"Let's go." Brett gestured towards the office door, and I followed silently after giving Ms. Bean a wave.

"Is DJ in trouble?" I spoke up as we got seated in Brett's beat up, green car from the junkyard.

"No."

"Am I in trouble?"

"... No."

"You hesitated," I pointed out.

Brett turned to me once he started the car. He looked deep in thought as he opened his mouth to speak after a minute of silence. He shut his mouth and sighed again.

"We'll talk when we get home," he finally replied as he pulled the car out of the school parking lot.

My face pressed against the freezing window as I watched the school get farther and farther away. I hoped that Aaron wasn't sitting in class without me. If he was, at least that meant he was safe.