Hunter
What kind of idiot gets himself in that kind of situation with a J-dub?
This idiot, it turns out.
Yesterday was too close. She was too close. Her breath was hitting my face with each burst of laughter, and she smelled of strawberry jam and sugary biscuits. She smelled of my childhood before Mum passed. I think I just got caught up in that feeling of freedom that kids experience before life gets real. And I suppose I liked that she was caught up in it too.
It was refreshing to watch her squeal like a banshee, to see those permanent lines on her forehead smooth out for a few seconds. To hear her laugh.
That laughter has a way of pacifying me.
But I refuse to be the topic of her prayers or the person who pulls her off course. She’d hate me for it later. I’d prefer to keep her out of trouble. She can hate me for that instead.
‘Where are you going?’
I’m halfway out the front door when I hear Dad behind me. It’s a little after 7:30 a.m., and I was hoping to sneak out before he rose. I had to pick him up off the floor last night and carry his drunk arse to bed. Then he pissed himself as I was leaving his room. I could smell it. I left him to sleep in it, to wake in it—and I’m not sorry. The least he can feel is shame. But even though I want him to feel it, I don’t want to witness it. It’s embarrassing for both of us when it really should only be embarrassing for him.
‘Library opens at eight, and it’s our last week of classes.’ I say all this without looking at him.
He might’ve changed his clothes, but he hasn’t had a shower yet. The smell of piss lingers in the air between us.
He’s silent a moment, like he’s wrestling with his words. ‘Okay. Well, have a good day.’
‘Yep.’ Relieved by his dismissal, I flee.
It’s been a long time since I’ve spent time in the library—especially for studying purposes. I feel Mrs Pritchard, the school’s librarian, watching me the whole time, like she’s waiting for me to steal something or carve my initials into the table. But when the bell rings and I’m heading for the door, she says, ‘Good luck with your exams, Mr Reed.’
I pause and look back, noting her sincerity. ‘Thanks.’
When I show up at the science room to clean tables at lunchtime, I find Mr Trest waiting for me.
Now what?
‘Mr Reed,’ he says.
I nod in place of words, bracing for whatever’s coming next.
‘I think the tables in here look pretty good,’ he says. ‘You’re free to go and enjoy your lunch break.’
I’m fairly certain this is some kind of test. ‘Wouldn’t I just go to the next room, then?’
‘The goal isn’t clean tables, Mr Reed, it’s clean students.’ He offers me an extraordinarily rare smile. ‘Mrs Pritchard came to see me today. She mentioned you were in the library before school.’
I’m not following. ‘I didn’t break in or anything. It was open.’
He laughs quietly. ‘I’m aware of that. And this is me acknowledging your effort. While it might be late, and long overdue, it doesn’t go unnoticed. Off you go.’
My hands go into my jean pockets as I take in his expression, which closely resembles pride. ‘Right.’ I nod. ‘Okay.’ I step outside and head for my locker.
When I pass the computer room, Annie flashes into view. I stop, backtrack, and watch her through the small glass window. She’s typing away at one of the computers. I should keep walking, but instead, I push the door open and step inside. Why I would deliberately throw myself in her path after avoiding her all morning, I can’t really fathom.
She looks up when I enter, fingers stilling on the keys.
‘Hey,’ I say.
She’s understandably wary after yesterday’s encounter at the creek. ‘Hey.’
I lean my back on the door. ‘You don’t have a computer at home?’