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Although he had the decency to include a question mark, I know it’s not really up for discussion. We’ll be finishing our English project separately.
He never replies to my agreement. At least we did most of the work weeks ago. Cassie and her partner are meeting every day after school to get it done.
The last week of classes sneaks up on me. One minute, all six hundred and eighty days of high school were stretching in front of me. Now? There’s only five left, and they’re filled with nostalgia. The last paper meeting. Emptying out my locker. A final assembly.
Events I looked forward to until they arrived.
When I walk into English the day Caleb and I are set to present, I don’t pay close attention to any of the pairs that go before us. We haven’t practiced. Haven’t talked, aside from those two texts, since that night at the campfire. He’s ignored me entirely, and I’ve done the same.
I don’t know what to say to him.
When Mr. Tanner calls our names, I startle before standing and walking toward the front of the room on autopilot. I’m here; I’m present, but my mouth is just spitting out the words it knows it needs to say, with little input from my brain.
The presentation ends, and I return to my seat next to Cassie.
“Nice job,” she whispers to me.
I manage a weak smile before zoning out again.
Only two more partners have time to present before the bell rings.
“If you didn’t present today, be ready next class,” Mr. Tanner calls. “And everyone who’s already presented, it isn’t time to slack off just yet. Make sure you’re preparing for the final.” Rustling starts, everyone shutting books and grabbing their backpacks. “Caleb. Lennon. Stay after, please,” he adds.
I gulp. Our presentation was perfect. Well, almost perfect. It was a little disjointed.
But I’m less worried about what Mr. Tanner is going to say, and more concerned about having to stand next to Caleb while he says it.
“I’ll see you at lunch,” Cassie says, before heading into the hallway with the rest of our class. Except for Caleb, who follows me over to Mr. Tanner’s desk in the front of the classroom once the room clears.
“It seems like you two could use another five minutes to talk,” Mr. Tanner states.
Notwhat I was expecting. Andwayworse than a lecture. If I wasn’t so horrified, I’d be shocked Mr. Tanner, of all people, seems to be trying to play matchmaker.
“That’s okay,” I’m quick to say.
At the same time, Caleb speaks. “Not necessary.”
Our rushed voices mingle, creating a cacophony of urgent sound.
“Maybe ten,” Mr. Tanner amends, with a hint of a smile.
Our project is done, so his motivation for helping us get along can’t be academic. It’s sort of sweet that he cares. But I can’t appreciate the gesture. Talking to Caleb isnotsomething I want to do.
“Five’s plenty,” Caleb says.
Mr. Tanner’s lips quirk before he grabs his bag and leaves the classroom. The door shuts behind him, and then there’s total silence.
I stare at Mr. Tanner’s spotless desk, all the books we’ve read this semester stacked in alphabetical order in one corner. I look at the smudge of marker that wasn’t erased from the whiteboard. A robin flitters between tree branches outside the window, so I track its flight closely.
Anythingto avoid looking at Caleb.
I’m a coward, waiting for him to walk out first.
The silence between us builds and expands until I can’t take it any longer. “The presentation went well,” I finally say.
There’s a low, annoyed scoff. “Don’t, Lennon. Just…don’t.”
“Don’t what? You’d rather stand here in silence?” My tone is petulant.
