Sequel: Wish You Were Here. ›
Band on the Run.
Hello Old Friend
January 19,1963
I sat behind my desk waiting for my next Literature class to arrive as I read the latest letter from Syd. He mostly talked about art school and Cheryl; he sent me a sketch he did while he was tripping. It made me think of how long it’s been since I was high. I folded the letter up and set it on my desk, I would’ve hung up the picture but the school had a strict policy of the things you could and could not do.
The first few students went right to the back of the class, I knew halfway through the poem they’ be asleep. I stood up and went to my little podium where I had my book open to the Raven by Edgar Allen Poe, I looked one last time at the notes that I had scribbled down in my notebook about the poem.
When the bell finally rang the class quieted down, for reasons I didn’t quite understand until I saw the principal standing in the doorway. My heart began to race, I didn’t know what to do. He asked if he could speak to me outside.
“Okay, um…class, please begin reading the poem on page two hundred seventy five. I’ll be right back.” We walked out into the hallway, but instead of stopping to talk he lead me outside to the courtyard. He points up to a tree, I look up and I smile the widest smile imaginable.
“Do you know him?” The principal asked, but I ignore him. Syd jumps out of the tree in front of me and pulls me into a big hug.
“I thought you cut your hair?” He questions as he pushes me back and studies me.
“I did, but I grew it back out.” It was now nearly to my waist, I had it braided right now though.
He looked almost exactly the same except his hair was longer, and it was kind of shaggy. He still had that same old mischievous look in his eyes that I remembered so well.
“I thought that I’d come visit. Cheryl should be coming home soon you know?”
I nodded, “Yeah she wrote and told me.” I hugged him again, it felt great to see someone from the past. I suddenly felt the question arise in me and before I knew it I had spoken it, “How is Roger?”
He smiled, “I knew you’d ask! He’s here too, but he wants to surprise you so act surprised. Louise let me into your apartment. Are you dating Gilmour?”
I shrugged, “Not really,” Mr. Jones cleared his throat, “Oh yeah, I’ve got to get back to my class.”
His eyes lit up, “Can I come and sit in?” I laughed.
“Can he?” I asked Mr. Jones, he said it was okay.
When I got back to my classroom they were all talking about things not related to the Raven. Syd sits behind my desk and I grab my yard stick and bang it against the board. For a moment I remembered how much Roger hated it when teachers did that to his desk.
“Did anybody actually read the poem?” They all nodded but they’re eyes were blank, I couldn’t help myself, “Okay then, you won’t mind a pop quiz right?”
Moans were heard all throughout the room, I even heard one come out of Syd. I couldn’t help but smile, “Never mind, please read the poem for real this time so we can go over it.”
I began writing questions on the board while Syd scribbled down something on a piece of paper.
I sat behind my desk waiting for my next Literature class to arrive as I read the latest letter from Syd. He mostly talked about art school and Cheryl; he sent me a sketch he did while he was tripping. It made me think of how long it’s been since I was high. I folded the letter up and set it on my desk, I would’ve hung up the picture but the school had a strict policy of the things you could and could not do.
The first few students went right to the back of the class, I knew halfway through the poem they’ be asleep. I stood up and went to my little podium where I had my book open to the Raven by Edgar Allen Poe, I looked one last time at the notes that I had scribbled down in my notebook about the poem.
When the bell finally rang the class quieted down, for reasons I didn’t quite understand until I saw the principal standing in the doorway. My heart began to race, I didn’t know what to do. He asked if he could speak to me outside.
“Okay, um…class, please begin reading the poem on page two hundred seventy five. I’ll be right back.” We walked out into the hallway, but instead of stopping to talk he lead me outside to the courtyard. He points up to a tree, I look up and I smile the widest smile imaginable.
“Do you know him?” The principal asked, but I ignore him. Syd jumps out of the tree in front of me and pulls me into a big hug.
“I thought you cut your hair?” He questions as he pushes me back and studies me.
“I did, but I grew it back out.” It was now nearly to my waist, I had it braided right now though.
He looked almost exactly the same except his hair was longer, and it was kind of shaggy. He still had that same old mischievous look in his eyes that I remembered so well.
“I thought that I’d come visit. Cheryl should be coming home soon you know?”
I nodded, “Yeah she wrote and told me.” I hugged him again, it felt great to see someone from the past. I suddenly felt the question arise in me and before I knew it I had spoken it, “How is Roger?”
He smiled, “I knew you’d ask! He’s here too, but he wants to surprise you so act surprised. Louise let me into your apartment. Are you dating Gilmour?”
I shrugged, “Not really,” Mr. Jones cleared his throat, “Oh yeah, I’ve got to get back to my class.”
His eyes lit up, “Can I come and sit in?” I laughed.
“Can he?” I asked Mr. Jones, he said it was okay.
When I got back to my classroom they were all talking about things not related to the Raven. Syd sits behind my desk and I grab my yard stick and bang it against the board. For a moment I remembered how much Roger hated it when teachers did that to his desk.
“Did anybody actually read the poem?” They all nodded but they’re eyes were blank, I couldn’t help myself, “Okay then, you won’t mind a pop quiz right?”
Moans were heard all throughout the room, I even heard one come out of Syd. I couldn’t help but smile, “Never mind, please read the poem for real this time so we can go over it.”
I began writing questions on the board while Syd scribbled down something on a piece of paper.