For the Last Night I Lie, Could I Lie With You?

“Greetings Warren High School. As you know, Monday marks the first day of our spirit week in preparation for Homecoming. Each day next week we will have a special theme to follow. Monday is hat day. Wear a hat. Tuesday is jersey day. Wear a sports team jersey. Wednesday is shades day. Wear your sunglasses. Thursday is crazy day. Wear crazy clothes. Finally, Friday is spirit day so wear your school colors proudly. Have a great day.”

Mr. Huffman’s voice stopped flowing through the speaker. I turned to David and sighed.

“One of these days we’ll actually have something cool to do during spirit week.” David breathed.

“Oh well, I think I’ve got crazy day in the bag. The rest of them I don’t really care too much about.” I replied.

“Do you think Gerard will participate?”

“Umm…I doubt it. You think I could get away with wearing a Saves The Day t-shirt on jersey day?”

“Yeah, why? Because they’re from New Jersey?”

“Yup.”

“Oh, hey, didn’t you say you were going to talk to Gerard at some point this week?”

“Yes, I have a plan in music theory.”

When music theory finally came around I sat down at my desk in the back and waited for Gerard to walk in. He sat down without paying any attention to me whatsoever. Mrs. Turner started our lesson, but I zoned out and pulled an index card from my backpack.

Hello, Gerard

I wrote. I surreptitiously gave the card to Gerard, who reluctantly took it from me. After a moment he gave me the note back. His reply was scrawled out in a script only an artist could have acquired.

How do you know my name?

I pay attention during role call.

Oh…what’s your name?

Bridgette Jackson.

That’s a cool name.

Thank you. I’m wondering…why don’t you talk much?

I don’t like talking to people I don’t really know. It makes me really nervous.

Oh, well, you seem to be talking fine right now.

Notes don’t bother me for some reason.

I understand. It’s like cussing out someone on the internet is easier than saying something mean in person.

Exactly.

I’m curious, are you going to Homecoming?

Definitely…not. I hate dances.

Me too. Would you like to not go to Homecoming with me?

What would that involve?

I don’t know. Perhaps we could meet at the library…get to know each other…work on our physics project.

Sounds good.

Ok. We can meet around 6?

Sure.

I kept the note and put it in my pocket. That was one heck of a lot easier than I originally expected. He’s very easy to talk to as long as it’s in written form. Also, I think I have proved David wrong. He must not think I’m a creepy stalker if he agreed to hang out with me. I’m excited now.