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library. Edison, next door in his study hall had also asked his teacher for a pass to the library as well. The plan was for them to meet up at the library.
Gerard got there first, wandering rough the rows of bookcases searching for A Clockwork Orange. He knew he'd probably find Edison where the math textbooks sat, leafing through the latest volume of whatever it was nerds read and cradling his beloved calculator. Edison, however, crept up behind Gerard and scared the crap out of him.
“Bloody hell! Don't do that.” Said Gerard
“Sorry. Hey I want to show you something. Did you know that you can play games on these calculators? I forgot to tell you that.”
“Oh,” said Gerard “Show me.”
“Ok,” said Edison “it's really easy . . .”
* * *
Feeling the cool leather against his skin made Gerard remember he had the green sweater stuffed in his back pack. He was half way to Shelley's house. Now or never he thought shrugging. Sighing he pulled off his leather jacket, pulled out the green sweater and slipped it on wincing.. he put the jacket into his backpack. His mother was working late and his brother's childcare arrangements had enabled him to stay out at Shelley's
until after it got dark. Delighted with his new freedom he became almost totally independent. Except for doing his own laundry. He hated that job.
Later, as he walked into Shelley's kitchen, he pet Miffy and she nuzzled up against him. Shelley came down out of her bedroom which was down the hall. She was in her pajamas and her red hair was a mess, her glasses askew. He had obviously woken her up and he apologized.
“That's alright dear.” She said yawning and patting her hair. Miffy came up and rubbed against her leg lovingly.
“The sweater looks lovely on you Gerard. Did you wear it to school?”
“Nope.” He said. He couldn't lie to her.
“Oh well. At least you're wearing it now.” She said.
* * *
The next day in class, Gerard's English teacher gave all of them assigned seats.
“Gerard,” his English teacher said. “Please sit over there, front row, middle seat.”
Gerard went over obediently, disappointed that he and Edison were being separated.
“But I want hat seat.” Retorted one of the cheerleaders.
“Lucitta, I'm sorry, but I want Gerard to sit there. He has trouble seeing the board,” said Mr. Grant
“Ok, next person. Robert, I want you to sit here. Jacob, over there. Lucietta, last row, middle seat.”
Class began and everyone (except Mr. Grant and Edison) were either scowling or glaring at Gerard. Mr. Grant turned the lights out and put up the overhead projector. Lucietta was muttering nasty things the whole time. Gerard raised his hand and asked for a pass to the bathroom. He trudged down the hall, the fluorescent lights overhead making him feel more tired than usual. The boy's bathroom was on the left side, and as Gerard pushed the door open and went inside he was relieved he was alone.
He went into one on the stalls and sat there for the longest time. He didn't want to go back and have to sit through an hour of Mr. Grant going on and on, and the cheerleaders smirking and pointing. He stared at the blue metal door. It was freshly painted to cover over graffiti. It didn't
