Chapter 8: Return to School

Returning to Ashmore high school after a day of being sick is not fun. I miss two days of school, and the amount of homework I have is the equivalent of filling out two or three college applications.

I miss summer. I want to read my favorite novels beside the pool. Sure, summer is boring, and I usually long for it to be over with. But after the strange, terrible start to this school year, I am ready to graduate and be on my way.

"Lily, welcome back. It's not like you to be sick. Are you feeling better?" Mr. Cronkwright says.

I hold my textbooks on my desk. The lead in my pencil is missing. My pencil case has Harry Potter glasses stitched in a pattern on its exterior. It's proof that I am a proud nerd.

"Yes. I am a lot better. I will turn this homework in after the weekend."

Mr. Cronkwright lowers his glasses. His grey-blue eyes show their concern.

"Don't rush your assignments. You were sick for two days. It's Friday, you know. Did your mother tell you that Jeremy Davis is your partner for the peer tutoring program?"

"Yeah, about that? I thought I was the president and had the final say in the matter." I remind him of our arrangement. I was under the impression that presidents of school clubs had certain rights and privileges, but perhaps that is not the case.

"The principal decided that it would be better for the program if he made the partner list himself. And given your lovely display with Mr. Davis in Brit Lit the other day, it's also been decided that you two need to learn how to play nicely."

"No offense, Mr. Cronkwright, but this school sucks. I can't be partnered with Jeremy. He and I don't see eye to eye. We would fight more than tutor. He's a very judgmental person."

"And you're not? In the last thirty seconds, all I've heard from you is your complaints. The decision is final, Lily Green. You may go. Don't forget to meet Jeremy for the tutoring program at 3:15 pm sharp."

I cross my arms as a signal of my inner protest. I would quit being a tutor altogether if it didn't look good on my college applications. But unfortunately, colleges are looking my way now, and my life is an audition to impress them with my involvement and overachievement. Maybe being a detention reject would have been better; at least people would ignore me and expect nothing from me.

Mr. Cronkwright leaves the homeroom classroom. The bell to begin the day dings and rings. I pick up my belongings and head for the front doors of the school.

"Well...well, if it isn't, Train Tracks in motion. Nice Harry Potter pencil case: what are you eleven? If you're looking for Platform Nine and three quarters...Don't bother; they don't accept muggles like you," Kelly smirks while twirling a strand of her curly brown locks in her hand.

Alexa and Tia click their heels with impatience.

"For someone who thinks I'm a nerd...you sure know a lot about Harry Potter, yourself there, Kelly."

In fact, in the fifth grade, the KAT trio all dressed up in Harry Potter costumes to go to the movie theatre. At the time, the theatre re-released the first two movies for a weekend. They wore their costumes all day at school and cast their spells on our class with their muggle wands, which were chopsticks. It was cute back then, but now Kelly is too cool for the rest of us. She leads the hallways with her oppression and pride.

If a female lioness protects its pride. That's what Kelly is, the alpha lion pouncing and preying on the rest of the school. It's important to never reveal a weakness to a lion. If they find it out, they will devour it with their jaws.

"Watch it, nerd. We heard all about your tutoring program with Jeremy. It's kind of pathetic how you want to be his therapist."

Kelly stomps her foot in place as a means of intimidation. I stomp mine back. I am tired of being her victim. It's about time someone stood up to Kelly.

"I love being a therapist. My schedule is wide open if you're looking for one yourself. How does Monday at four sound Kelly?"

"Is that a threat, Train Tracks?"

"Only if you want it to be." I egg her on because she deserves all the shit to be thrown her way.

"I've been waiting for this day, you know. The moment little Train Tracks grew up and stood up to me. Took you long enough, late bloomer. I will see you Monday at four. And don't forget to ask your mom to bring her camera."

My mother's I*******m photo is going to haunt me for generations to come. At this rate, it will end up in the yearbook. Not that anyone looks at those. But the point is I will go down in history as the Ashmore Highschool reject poster child. And that is the last thing I want.

"See you at four, Kelly."

I walk away. I give her no satisfaction. If I did, it would mean I've lost, and I've exposed my weakness to a lioness. But today, I've worn camouflage and have hidden my true agenda—revenge of the KAT trio.

The rest of Friday is slow. My pencil erases my sketches of castles and Mickey mouse ears. My mechanical pencil has lost its lead a lot today. I fish around in my pencil case and replace the lead. A piece of chewing gum is in my pencil case. I take it out and smack the hell out of it during study hall.

I'm an honor student, and we all know what that means. I get special privileges. Honor students have access to the teacher's lounge. We can help ourselves to their coffee machine and pop supply. I help myself to a Dr. Pepper.

I continue doodling and drawing worlds away from my own. In each class, I doodle and tap my pen. Finally, the last bell rings, and 3:15 pm means it's time for the peer tutoring program.

I'm not ready to see Jeremy Davis. He's the Green Knight, and I am Sir Gawain. But, at some point, we will have another verbal fight. I just know it.

I sit at the table and get out a romance novel. As I turn the pages, the clock ticks louder and louder. It's 3:35 pm. He's not coming. I am going home.

"Where are you going, Lily," Mr. Cronkwright asks?

"I am leaving. Jeremy isn't here. I'll look for him. I think I know where he's hiding."

"Good idea. That's why you are the president of the club. You are willing to go on a hunt for the sake of education. Nothing will stop you from working."

Are adults always this passionate about education? Or is Mr. Cronkwright just this eccentric on purpose?

My backpack is digging into my shoulders. The autumn breeze sways the trees and pushes me back. I walk to the only place Jeremy can be found, the big, large tree at Harris Park.

I climb the ladder, and sure enough, Jeremy is sitting, with tears streaming down his face. His black hair is covering his face.

"Go away. I'm not tutoring today."

He attempts to kick me out of the tree. I get past him and climb to the top where I sat the first day we met.

"What's wrong, Jeremy? Forget the tutoring program. What going on with you?"

Wow, I really do sound like a therapist. Maybe I have different career aspirations after all.

"Why do you care? Just leave. And don't act all innocent. I know you ratted me out."

Now I have no idea what he's talking about. So, I reach for his arm, and I notice fresh blood dripping from his sleeves when I do.