Eric's Mess 5

I glanced back up to the doorway to see Eric still standing there as if debating something important.

“Delanie?” Someone to my right called my name breaking the trance I was held in.

“Yeah?” It was Stephanie.

Her voice was timid as she looked over her shoulder to the doorway. Eric was gone. “Are you dating him?”

I gave a chuckle. “No.” I just shook my head in disbelief at her seriousness. “Stefy, I've known him for less than two days.

“So, you guys are friends though?” Greedy eyes blazed at me.

“Well... yeah.” I figured our relationship counted for that much by now.

A huge smile flew onto her face. “Well, tell me about him.” And with that about three other girls brought their heads into close proximity to get a better listen. Oh great.

“Alright class, quiet for attendance.” Thank you Mr. Fry. I figured at least now I might be able to weasel out of this conversation. I gave my full attention to my teacher as we started back up where we had left off with mole calculations. I managed to endure another forty minutes of ignoring both Stefy trying with all her might to get my attention and the three hundredth example of the same equation before I 'needed to go to the nurses office.'

Mr. Fry signed my passbook without a care and I gave him a genuine smile. “Thank you.” On my way out the door I caught a glimpse of a scold from my neighbor.

I made my way down the middle stairway and though the practically empty hallway that I had taken Eric down to get to our adviser's office. Just around the corner, I found myself in the cafeteria where the junior/ senior study halls were held.

“Hey Byrds!” I called to Mr. Byrd the study hall monitor. Somehow, with never having taken one of his classes, I became a favorite of his. Some part of him knew I was skipping class, I knew, but he always let it slide. I had to wonder sometimes how I could get away with as much as I do.

Mr. Byrds gave me an eying over. “Good morning Delanie.”

I gave a big smile to the savior of my restlessness and headed over to the table I knew would be occupied by my friends. Eric had Leslee perched right by his side, as I had expected, with Drake across the table from her. I took a seat next to Drake, setting me across from Eric.

“...Wanted to take my keys away for that! I told her 'No' and just walked out...” Leslee gave me a welcoming glance as I took my seat. “I swear my mom just doesn't get that she doesn't control me anymore.”

Drake was listening to music while scribbling something down. And though he acknowledged my presence, I had a feeling he had been pretty quiet this morning. I tapped him on the shoulder and he paused the music flowing threw him. “Yes?” He inquired.

With that I plucked the earphone on the side of his face opposite me and put it into my own ear. “Thanks.” Drake just gave a heavy sigh and resumed writing.

Leslee was finishing her story by this time and got my attention. “Hey Delanie, I was thinking we should all do something this weekend. You're free right?” I was, but was I sure I wanted to spend it watching Leslee try to win over the heart of Eric? He was looking at me expectantly and I decided that it couldn't be all that bad.

“Yeah, I'm in.” I finally blurted out and Leslee gave a little shriek of delight. I noticed Drake flinch out of the corner of my eye. “Your coming too right?” There may have been a little bit of an assertive edge in my voice. I wasn't going to be the only one to have to witness the progress to be made in our friends' relationship.

Drake gave me an uncertain glare. “I'll have to make sure it's all right.” Oh, it better be.

“Les, what did you want to do?” I asked still trying to stare Drake down.

She shrugged. “Swimming or a movie.” I should have guessed. Though we lived right on the ocean, it was never warm enough. But Echo Lake would be perfect. None of us knew what movies were playing so Leslee decided to run an errand to get the number and call over. What else was study hall good for?

After Leslee left, Eric turned fully towards me. “So, what exactly do you tell your teachers to get out of class?”

I laughed lightly. “If I'm planning on going back to class, I usually just 'go to the bathroom,' or if we are doing a lab I 'wash my hands.'” He looked amused and gave me a raised eyebrow to affirm my assumption. “If I don't plan on going back, I take my stuff with me and 'go to the nurses office.'”

“And you've never gotten caught?”

“I've been very close to a few Saturday detentions,” I leaned over the table to make our little conversation a bit more private and Eric copied my move. “But I have connections.” I concluded and backed away.

Drake seemed to have noticed my shifting and rearranged the headphone in his ear.

I looked at the clock showing twenty minutes of class left. “But this helps too.” I pulled the headphone out and placed it on the table next to Drake. “Come on.” I motioned for Eric to follow me and he stood obediently.

I put on my authorative face. “Byrds, I need to steal one of your students.” Eric was right behind me. “Do you have your passbook?”

“Oh, yeah.” He held it out for Mr. Byrds to sign. Technically, mine was already signed.

“Bring him back in one piece now.” Mr. Byrds called to me as we walked out. I sighed. What a kidder.

Eric was silent as I lead our walk. We reached our destination within a minute and I glanced around the room before heading on in. “Ivy, can I get two Tums® please?”

Ivy, the school nurse, stood immediately with her keys and plopped a couple of pastel colored circles into my hand. “Of course Delanie. Stomach pain?” I got small cup of water and downed that after chewing up the fruity pieces.

“Just a little uneasiness. Now worries.” I chucked the cup as Ivy scribed my name, the time, and what I needed into a red stationary book. “Thank you.” And we were off.

Eric grinned at me. “You've done your research.”

“That little red book has saved my butt several times.” I grinned right back, happy with my cleverness. “Let's take the long way back.”