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Even Manny is missing, probably having gone to the nurse to get his ear
checked. I hope he’s okay. That had to hurt.
After class ends, I make my way to English, weaving through students
as I slip into the classroom. Masen is sitting in his seat, and I pause, taken
aback.
Jesus. What does he do? Put in appearances whenever he feels like it?
No books again, no visible pencil, and looks like he just showed up
because he has nothing better to do. Isn’t he worried about graduating?
“Alright, take your questionnaires and go set the rest of your things
down,” Mr. Foster instructs as we file into the room and he passes out
papers. “And don’t forget to take a pencil. Once I call your names, you can
pair up, take your things to the library, and begin working.”
Oh, that’s right. It’s Research Day.
Once in a while, Foster sends us to the library to let us work on our
skills. He pairs us up, hands us a worksheet of information to find, and then
we’re on our own for the whole period. It’s a reason to get out of class. I
never complain.
“Lane, Rodney, and Cooper,” Foster calls from his roster.
Three students stand up, take their materials, and leave the room.
“Jess, Carmen, and Riley.”
He keeps going, one group after another, as the room slowly empties,
and my nerves start to turn anxious when I realize there’s only a handful of
people left, including Masen and me.
Please not him.
But Foster calls the next group. “Ryen, J.D., and Trey.”
I let out a breath of relief.
“Hell, yeah,” J.D. boasts, and I see him swipe a high-five at Trey next to
him. I start to stand up, taking what I need.