Chapter 1 – Trouble in Class
"Just a few more months till we have to go to college."
"Yeah, you're right. Kind of excited," Pedro says, shrugging.
"I'm excited, especially for my subject. I chose art. What did you choose, Pedro?"
"I chose carpeting. I've been doing it for a couple of years now. My dad taught me a little bit, but I love to learn more than people who teach it." He moves his hand while speaking.
"Why not just stick with your dad and learn more from him?"
Pedro pauses and thinks for a moment.
"I thought about it, but I can learn so much from my dad, and that's a good thing. But I could also go to college for it, get a degree, and work for other people besides my dad. Maybe I can help him get a job somewhere better."
I can't help but nod, because that's true. Once you get the degree, you can work elsewhere.
"Enough about me. Why did you choose art?"
I think for a moment, unsure of what to say, trying to find the right words.
"I chose art because you can paint and express emotions that you can't always say with words. You get it? That's the best way I can explain it."
Pedro looks at me, then pauses, nodding his head.
"Yeah, I get it."
"Do you remember the work assignment?"
I look at Pedro with a confused expression and quickly realize what he's talking about.
"Yeah, I do. The PNG — the one where we read part of a story, and on the page we ended on, we added to the story whatever we wanted?"
Pedro is relaxed, leaning back in his chair, then quickly sits up, leaning toward me like he's about to tell me a secret.
"Did you turn it in?" he says softly.
I nod my head. "Remember all the weird things we added? The sexual and freaky stuff."
My eyes widen, realizing what I just said.
"Well, the teacher's been looking at me like he wants to kill me, I think. We were laughing yesterday while reading the book, and no one realized what we were laughing about."
I quickly hear my name being called.
"Kevin!" I look up. It's my teacher. He waves me over to his desk.
"Kevin, I'm not sure if you meant to send this but either way, this is inappropriate. Can you please go to the office and talk to the principal?"
I turn back to look at Pedro. He gives me an awkward smile, unsure what to do. I guess I get it because I'm not sure what to do either.
Our teacher writes me a note to the office, and I wave to Pedro before I leave.
Chapter 2 – The Front Desk Confessional
I quickly head to the principal's office and explain what happened—me and my friend were just messing around because our teacher didn't seem to mind.
I had to make sure he didn't say anything inappropriate in his report. The principal looks pissed—angry, but also understanding.
"Okay, Kevin," she starts, "I'll tell you something. This is pretty good on its own. Without the sexual stuff, the dialogue and writing are solid. But you've got to slow it down. Don't rush. Let the audience breathe while reading, you know?"
I nod, twirling my fingers and looking down at the floor. She gets up, puts her hands behind her back, and looks out the window. "So, I know you're 18, and legally, you can date anyone older than that. But… you like the principal?" I feel my stomach twist. I've never told anyone about my crush on him, and now the front desk lady knows about it. She laughs—not in a crazy way, just a little awkwardly. She leans back in her chair, her fingers tapping the desk, and her legs shaking as she crosses them. "I'm sorry, Kevin, for laughing,
but this is kind of funny. I get why you like him—he's very handsome. But just... don't do this again, okay? If you are still thinking about him, just keep it to yourself and talk to your friends. You're free to go now." I grab my bag, push the chair back, and say, "Thank you," before I leave.
Chapter 3 – Hallway Talk
The bell rings — it's now third period. While heading to class, I meet up with my friend Pedro.
"Dude, what did they say to you?" he asks, wrapping his arm around my shoulder.
"She said not to do it again, and if I do, just keep it to myself and my close friends." I pause, thinking about the principal. That part? That's between me and the office lady.
"Well, thank you for not snitching. I appreciate that so, so much."
I give him an annoyed look. I think he notices.
"Let me make it up to you. Let's go to the student store. I'll buy you anything you want."
I decide to be a little greedy and quickly grab two ice creams, two bags of chips, and a bottle of water.
"Well, thank you, Pedro. I appreciate it," I say, smiling.
"At least we're even now," he says, shrugging with his palm up like he's presenting the idea.
"What class is this before the bell rings a second time?" he asks.
I give him a thumbs-up while sipping my water.
We sit in class, listening and taking notes. Pedro is always doing something goofy. He sticks a pencil between his upper lip and nose so it's just hanging there. The teacher calls him out, saying he's being a distraction and asks him to stop — which, surprisingly, he does.
Meanwhile, I'm taking notes, elbow on the table and hand supporting my face. I glance toward the doorway — and there he is. The principal. His beautiful face.
God, I wish he were mine.
I start to daydream about how nice it would be if we were together... but I'm snapped back to reality when my teacher calls my name.
"Kevin. Kevin!"
I quickly straighten up, focusing. "Yes?" I say, maybe a little too loudly.
"Can you please come back to reality and answer this question?"
I look around awkwardly. "Uhh... no?"
She shakes her head in disappointment. I can feel everyone's eyes on me, hear them whispering.
Time passes slowly, but finally class is about to end.
"Just three more seconds," Pedro whispers.
I look at his Chromebook. He has a tab open with a live digital clock — it shows minutes, seconds, even microseconds.
"Let's count down," he says, grinning. I nod back.
"Three… two.. One "
We quickly pack up our things and turn in our worksheets to the teacher.
Chapter 4 – Lunchtime Secrets
"So, Kevin, do you like anyone in school?" Pedro asks, mouth full of peanut butter and jelly.I nearly choke on my sandwich. "Huh?" I cough, grabbing a napkin.
"I do," I say, dabbing at my mouth.He leans in, eyebrows raised. "Who is it?"
I glance around the cafeteria, making sure no one is listening. "Okay, come closer."He scoots forward.
"You know the principal?"Pedro's eyes go wide. "No way.""Shhh! Keep it down!" I whisper, looking around again.
"Yeah… I like him. I think he's pretty cute."Pedro stares for a second before smirking. "You're a freak, bro."I give him a playful shove. "Am not."
To be continued