Opposites Attract

Nothing happened.

At least, that's what we're pretending is true.

Maybe I shouldn't have said it was a mistake. But then again, he said it was a mistake before I did.

He was asleep though...

Anyway, now we are slowly going back to the way things were before. Except we agreed not to have our Friday sleepover this week. Maybe next week.

Mr. Sinclair has us moving boxes and grading papers after school. I don't know how this is supposed to equal extra credit, but whatever - as long as I don't have to fail this class. He's been acting weird lately - well, weirder than he usual is. Like, I don't know. For one thing, he's dressing differently. Instead of his pinstripe suits, he's started wearing jeans and polo shirts. He even wore a Nirvana shirt, which I'm surprised he got away with. It's like he's having a mid-life crisis or something, and he's what, 24 or something?

And he stopped calling us by our last names. No more "Mr. McClean" now it's always Sean or Cory or Zephrinity, and yeah he says her whole name, not Zephy.

His weirdest moment was sitting with us at lunch. He sat down and offered to buy our food, which we all rejected. Then he starts asking us what's new - what's the latest gossip, like who's in detention and who's sleeping with who.

The dude's off his rocker.

This morning, he called me Seanie.

SEANIE!

WHAT THE HELL?!

The man must be stopped.

***
It was after school on Thursday, and Cory was at Mr. Sinclair's other classroom moving boxes. I took the chance to talk to Mr. Sinclair about his recent lunacy.

"Mr. Sinclair-"
"Call me Keith, Seanie."
"And you call me Sean. Listen, I have reason to believe that you're off your meds. Or you're on meds. Something drugs related."
"Whoa, what are you talking about?"
"You keep calling me Sean. And you're dressing like a... like a... like a dude!"
He laughed. "Well, I am a dude, Sean."
"No I mean like a cool dude. You're not dressing like a teacher anymore. And you cannot hang out with us - it's just too weird. And don't call me Seanie. You crossed the line there."
He blinked and sat up. "Oh, I'm sorry, Sean. I didn't know I was making you uncomfortable."
"Just tell me why you're acting so weird? Why?!"
He sighed. "I... think that's a little too personal."
"You called me Seanie. That's way too personal."
"You're right. I suppose it's fair, and I don't want to alienate you. But I don't think you'll like the reason."
"Try me."
"I... seem to have somewhat of a crush... on Cory."

***

"You passed out, Sean. You're at my house. I sent Cory home."

I jumped up and shoved him against the wall, holding him by his shirt.

"What the fuck is you're problem, man?! You can't like Cory! He's mine- he's my best friend. And you're way too old!"
"I can't control how I feel. But I felt like I should tell you. I know you two are close."
"Very close."
"Yes, I know. But we can't help who we like."
"You better! You are so crossing the line! Does prison mean anything to you?!"
"I'm not suggesting anything. I don't plan to really act on it. I guess me dressing this way and hanging out with you guys was me trying to fulfill a fantasy. I'm not going to make a move on him."
"You better not. I'm not letting some creep like you get anywhere near him. He's way too fucking good for you, and if you mess with his head, I'll kick your ass."
"I won't, I promise. I'm sorry. And just know that I wasn't trying to take him away from you. Are you into him, Sean?"
"Wh-what? I- Of course not. H-he's just my friend."
He gave an all-knowing, cocky smile. "Alright Sean."
"I mean it! I'm not gay!"
"Okay, calm down. I believe you."

No, he doesn't.

I let go of his shirt. "You're lucky you're a teacher, or else I'd punch you."
He laughed and fixed his shirt. "I hope this doesn't make things worse between us."
"Oh it does. And I was just starting to like you."
"That's a shame."

I rolled my eyes and headed to the door.

"Need me to drive you home?"
"No thanks, I'll walk."
"Wait, Sean."
"What?"
"You won't tell anyone about this, will you?"
I glared at him. "Wouldn't dream of it."

***

"Hey Sean!" Cory sat down next to me during the next day.
"Hey." I barely looked up.
"Okay, what is it now?"
I looked up at him. "How come you've never had a girlfriend?"
He froze. "I-I-I-I-I don't kn-kn-know, Sean. Wh-wh-why do you ask?"
"I was thinking about it. You've never been on a date before. And you've never told me about any crush you had on somebody. Why not?"
"W-w-well how about you? You're still single. And you've never told me about who like."
"You're right. And I want to tell you, too."
"Y-you like someone?"
"Yeah." I stood up. "But it's really a lost cause. I don't think I'm meant to be in a relationship."
"Y-y-yeah me neither."
"Wanna head to the park?"
"Okay." He smiled.

We headed out of the building and at some point Zephrinity found us and followed. She started talking Cory's ear off about some guy she's madly in love with, while I just sat down under a tree.

"He's really tan and muscular. Drop dead gorgeous! Oh and he's not too bright, which is good because I honestly hate brainy guys. We run out of things to talk about after like a minute. But anyway..."
I tuned her out and closed my eyes. Until she punched me in the chest.
"Are you even listening, McClean?"
I coughed in response and sat up. "What the hell is your problem, bitch?"
"You were spacing out again, dip-shit."
"Was not, trash heap, I was ignoring you. You were babbling on again."
"I was talking about something important, loser-beast."
"Well next time can you skip to the important part, whore?"
"Shut up, dumb-ass!"
"Make me, slut-bucket!"
"Alright, will you two stop it?!" Cory whined.
I sighed and laid back down. Zephy pouted and said "Sorry, Cory."
He smiled. "Okay, so what were you saying before?"
"Oh yeah. I was saying that my new hottie was gonna be at the huge party on Friday. And since you guys said you weren't having your weekly sleepover, I was kinda hoping-"
"No."
"You don't even know what I was gonna ask!" She stomped her foot.
"You were gonna ask Cory to come with you and be your wing-man, and since I'm his best friend and he hates parties, I'd have to go to. So, no."
"Ugh! You damn-"
"Zephy, please calm down."Cory crouched down to me. "Sean, Zephrinity would be very grateful if you went to this party with me, wouldn't you Zephy?"
"What? I-"
"Zephy." He eyed her.
She glared at me. "Yes I would."
"I don't care, Cory. There's nothing you can say that'll make me want to associate with the she-beast during non-school hours."
"She'll promise to never make you go with us when we go shopping."
I shot up. "Do you, Zephy?"
"What?! But I need a guy's opinion!"
"And what am I?" Cory frowned.
"No offense, sweetie. But you're the sweet guy. You say that everything looks good on me. I need Sean's annoying and honest jock-head opinion."
"And I need to stay far away from your girly-ass stores. If one more chick sprays perfume in my face-"
"That was one time. And you didn't have to threaten her! You got us kicked out of the store! Ugh... fine, maybe I don't really need you to come with us all the time."
"Promise?"
"Yeah yeah I promise." She grumbled.
I sat up. "Then I'll be there with bells on."
Cory grinned. "And I'll help you find an outfit, Zephy."
She smiled. "Alright. But you two are not gonna be a bunch of wall-flowers this time. You're dancing, even if I have to drag you onto the dance floor."
"Good luck with that." I laid against the tree.
She rolled her eyes as I closed mine.