AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He knew she knew he knew she knew.
“No!” he said. “What do you think I am? Weird?”
Casey bit her finger.
The class had to pair up for the walk to Lake Park.
Lake Park was three blocks from school. It had a great playground.
Mrs. North sometimes took the class there on Friday if they’d been good all week. “Everyone find a partner,” she said.
Marvin ducked under his desk. He pretended to tie his shoe. He was afraid to be partners with Nick or Stuart.
He needed to find a partner who didn’t know him too well. Someone who wouldn’t notice if he was … a little different.
He peeked out from under his desk.
Stuart and Nick were partners. Travis and Clarence. Kenny and Warren. Casey and Judy. Gina and Heather.
One person stood alone. Patsy Gatsby.
Kenny pointed at Patsy. “The cheese stands alone,” he said.
Clarence held his nose. “And it’s stinky cheese, too.”
Patsy looked down at her shoes.
Marvin made his way across the room. “Would you like to be my partner, Patsy?” he asked.
For a moment Patsy didn’t answer. Then, very quietly, she said, “Okay.”
They got on the end of the line. Patsy kept her head down.
Stuart looked back at Marvin as if to ask, “What are you doing?”
Marvin shrugged. He saw Nick whisper something to Stuart. Then his two best friends laughed.
Warren sang:
“Marvin and Patsy,
Sitting in a tree,
Kay-I-Ess-Ess-
I-En-Gee”
Marvin looked at Patsy. She was blushing.
“Boys are so immature,” said Marvin.
Patsy looked up and smiled at him.
She was wearing black suspenders over her pink T-shirt. Marvin thought it was a cute outfit.
Girls are lucky, he thought, as they walked to Lake Park. They can wear anything. Even suspenders.
But if I wore a dress to school, everyone would probably think I was weird or something.
