Chapter 8- Sadistic Teachers and Heart to Hearts
Mr. Dig didn't think of himself as a sadistic teacher for the most part. He was about learning and motivating and supporting his students, molding them into responsible and intelligent adults. But today he wasn't so sure.
He stood before his class, watching his students cram needlessly for the social studies test they thought he was about to unleash on them at any minute. The social studies test he'd announced yesterday.
The social studies test they weren't really having.
Okay, sure Mr. Dig felt bad tricking them like that, but honestly it was a win-win situation for all. He got the kids to learn the material without having to test them and they were going to be relieved when they found out they weren't actually having a test, or at least not a social studies test.
The bell rang signaling the beginning of class.
Mr. Dig took his customary place by the chalkboard and called out over the class. "People people, clear your books from your desk."
The class groaned in unison. "Five more minutes professor?" Ethan begged trying to get in a few more minutes of study time for the class.
"Nope Mr. Craft. No can do today. Books off the desk." Seeing the almost pained expressions on his student's faces, Mr. Dig had a hard time fighting off his laughter. "Listen up, I have a few announcements to make."
He picked up a large folder off his desk and opened it slowly, studying its contents. "There will be no test today, I repeat there will be no test today."
When the class remained silent, Mr. Dig looked confused. He thought for sure they'd be relieved, jumping for joy at this point. No kid likes a test, right?
Miranda raised her hand. "Is this some sort of sick teacher April Fool's joke?" she asked her eyes darting around the room as if waiting for something to happen. "Teachers just don't cancel tests."
"No joke Ms. Sanchez", Mr. Dig assured. "And it's not April Fools."
"But there must be a catch", Gordo pointed out. "With you there's always a catch."
Mr. Dig smiled. The young Mr. Gordon always caught on. "Yes, a little one. While you're not having a test in Social Studies, I thought today might be a good day instead to present your essays to the class. You know, the ones you wrote last week."
The class groaned again. If it was possible, most looked more miserable then when they thought they were actually having the test. It was obvious some had hoped he'd forgotten all about the little project. Especially since he hadn't mentioned it since.
Mr. Dig pulled the essays from his folder. "Most were quite good and quite enlightening. And by the way most of you are avoiding making eye contact with me now, from what I gather, quite truthful."
Kate's hand shot up in the air. "But Mr. Dig. I studied for a test. I cancelled a manicure to study for the test. I don't study. Why don't we just have the test today and save that stupid little assignment thing for tomorrow?" she tried to reason.
Danny and Claire shot her looks. Since when would Kate rather take a test? Better yet, since when did she cancel a manicure to study?
Lizzie tentatively put her hand up in the air. "I kinda agree with Kate. Maybe we should have the test. We're prepared and all. Right?"
Mr. Dig shook his head in disbelief. "I never thought I'd live to see the day my students begged me for a test", he said causing a few of his less stressed students to break into grins.
"But no worries Ms. Saunders, Ms. McGuire...we'll have the test next week." Both Kate and Lizzie's faces fell at the news.
Mr. Dig clapped his hands and rubbed them together for effect. "But in the meantime, let's get started. He paused and looked around. "Who here is brave enough to face the firing squad and read their essays aloud to the class? This isn't for the faint of heart", he warned.
Several hands entered the air. Some shot up while others straggled behind. By the time they were done Parker, Claire, Ethan, Danny, Veruca and Miranda's hands were raised. After what seemed like a particularly long and harrowing inner struggle, Larry's hand raised to join the others.
"Good", Mr. Dig nodded, himself not overly surprised with which students had volunteered themselves. "Parker, why don't you start us off and when you guys are done I'll get to reading the rest of the essays, unless anyone should change their mind."
Parker rose and walked confidently to the front of the class, taking her paper from Mr. Dig. She started to read. "If I could be anyone else, I wouldn't. I would choose to stay myself, Parker Laine McKenzie, faults and all..."
Mr. Dig looked around the room. Judging by the looks on his student's faces, this was going to be a long class, but an interesting one. He just hoped it would all be worth it.
Lizzie sat in shock, unable to move from her chair. Her entire body felt heavy. It was as if her legs were made of stone and jelly all at the same time. On top of that, her mind was reeling. What had just happened?A sharp voice brought her out of her thoughts. "Class is over for today", Mr. Dig boomed out gesturing to the empty desks around her. "The bell rang."
"I...I knew that", Lizzie stammered. "I just didn't want to get caught in the stampede for the door."
Mr. Dig looked at her worriedly. "Uhh, Ms. McGuire. The bell rang over five minutes ago. But I figured I'd let you sit for a few. I know you must have a lot to absorb."
Lizzie gathered her books and clutched them to her chest while she focused all her energy onto standing. It was harder than it looked, but her legs seemed to be a bit sturdier now. She smiled at Mr. Dig as best she could. "Yeah...uh...I've got to get to lunch."
"If you ever want to talk", Mr. Dig assured her. "I'm always here."
"Me too", another voice answered softly from the doorway. Lizzie whipped around to see Miranda framed in the doorway, biting her lip nervously.
Mr. Dig looked from one to the other, assuming however correctly that they needed to talk, and excused himself politely from their company.
"So, are you mad at me? About all the things I said?" Miranda asked pointedly. She wasn't about to beat around the bush and she needed to know how Lizzie had taken everything.
"No, not mad", Lizzie said honestly. "Just stunned. I never knew you felt that way. Did you really mean all that stuff?"
Miranda shifted her own books in her arms and locked eyes with her friend. "C'mon, this is me we're talking about. When do I not say what I mean?" she deadpanned.
A small giggle escaped Lizzie's lips, but soon died as her mind still tried to process. "I know I know, but when you were talking I kept looking around the room, expecting to hear Kate and everyone laughing, especially when you talked about me being popular and like, the envy of every girl."
"And what did you see?" Miranda prodded, pretty sure where this was going.
"Nothing", Lizzie finished, the shock still evident on her face. "I mean no one was doing anything but listening."
"That's because it's true McGuire. They all know. Even Kate. I'm starting to think she knows a lot more than we give her credit for", she nodded matter of factly.
Lizzie smiled cautiously, her confidence starting to build a little. She was feeling more and more like herself. "Really? But about that part when you talked about being the unnoticed twin, I never meant to make you feel like you were..."
"Of course you didn't", Miranda cut her off. "I know that."
"If anything", Lizzie confided. "I've spent the last several years trying to be more like you. Why else do you think I always go along with your crazy plans?
Now was Miranda's turn to be surprised. "Really?"
"Yeah", Lizzie giggled. "I always thought I was boring. You weren't". Lizzie paused. "So, you really think I'm popular?" Lizzie asked, needing to hear it again.
"Yes", Miranda assured her rolling her eyes. "But don't let it go to your pretty little head or they'll be no living with you", she joked.
Lizzie smiled broadly. "What, me?" she said giving Miranda a little twirl that ultimately caused her to trip over her own feet and wind up sprawled on the ground.
Miranda reached down to help her up. "I also said you were a klutz", she said trying to speak through the bouts of their uncontrollable laughter.
Taking a deep breath and brushing off her pants, Lizzie's tone again turned serious. "Seriously though, thanks...I'm sorry I got weird and stuff, but it's just so strange sitting there listening to someone say all this amazing stuff about you, even if it is your best friend saying it."
"For a few seconds there McGuire I thought you were going to explode you were blushing so hard", Miranda laughed, but she too turned more serious. "But I know what you mean. Like all that crazy stuff that person wrote about me. Just plain weird."
The girls both laughed and exited the room carrying their belongings towards their now empty row of lockers. Lunch had already begun.
"Whoever it was though described you perfectly. Maybe you have a secret admirer? Do you have any ideas who it was?" Lizzie asked fiddling with her locker combo.
A smirk played at the corner of Miranda's mouth. "Not sure, but I've got some leads. I mean there was some stuff in there---well let's just say it has to be someone I've known for a long time."
"Like who?" Lizzie urged, shoving her books in her locker.
Miranda shook her head silently, for once thankful of Lizzie's obliviousness. She took her lunch money from her backpack and stuffed it in her pocket. "Not saying or at least not until I have proof."
Lizzie, though she meant to listen had zoned out. Her mind had somehow finally managed to grasp what Miranda had been trying to tell her but it was causing her mind to race faster and faster. If she really was what they said she was, then why had she spent the past several years caring so much and trying so hard? Wasn't it about time she got to do what she wanted?
"Earth to Lizzie", Miranda said waving her hand frantically in front of her friend's face. "You okay?"
Lizzie came to. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking."
"About?" Miranda asked shutting her locker.
"A little of everything", Lizzie answered generally, shrugging her shoulders.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Miranda asked, unsure of Lizzie's reaction. There was something still a bit off with Lizzie even though she couldn't place exactly what it was.
Lizzie looked at Miranda and smiled as if coming to a realization herself. "Actually, I do. I think I'm finally ready. But not until tonight. I have to talk to Gordo first. I owe him that much. But then I promise to explain all to you."
Miranda's mouth fell in shock. "Are you breaking up with Gordo?" she half exclaimed and whispered all at the same time.
Lizzie slapped her arm to try and keep her excitable friend quiet. "No...yes...maybe, probably, I won't know until after I talk to him. I'm going to ask him to meet me at the Digital Bean later."
Miranda shook her head sympathetically, absorbing it all. She knew that whatever her friend was going through to make her contemplate something like that was pretty big. Lizzie was always the first to hide from confrontation, not face it head on.
Lizzie took in Miranda's expression and bit her lip to keep from laughing. She slung her arm around her friends shoulder as they started on their way to the cafeteria. "Look, I wish I could tell you more now, and there's a lot to tell, but you've already helped me more than you'll ever know. Okay?"
"I guess I can wait", Miranda added. "But you better call me first thing when you get home", she threatened. "Or else!"
Lizzie rolled her eyes. She was feeling better than she had in months. Like a huge weight had been lifted off of her and she hadn't even done anything yet.
"Or else what? You're going to send your big bad boyfriend Ethan after me? Oh Ethan. Kiss me Ethan. Hold me Ethan", Lizzie teased as she made kissing noises in Miranda's direction.
With that Lizzie started to run, knowing that her friend would soon be chasing after her.
"You are so dead McGuire!" Miranda called after her as the two ran breathlessly into the cafeteria.
As Miranda grabbed a plate of chicken nuggets she tried to defend herself. "If I wasn't so hungry, you'd be a goner by now. And Ethan isn't my boyfriend...yet", she finished, grabbing a can of soda and managing to pay the lunch lady.
"Sure", Lizzie rolled her eyes and followed suit, herself grabbing a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The two headed to their usual table, which was unoccupied.
"But", Miranda continued. "I am going to his swim meet after school. He says I bring him good luck, whatever that means."
Lizzie picked at her peanut butter and jelly sandwich and giggled. "I can't wait to see the look on Kate's face when she sees that."
Lizzie and Miranda glanced in Kate's direction just as Kate herself happened to look up. Kate scowled and stuck out her tongue. Lizzie scowled back, but Miranda simply looked away.
Miranda couldn't look at Kate right now. If what she was thinking was right...
"I don't know why I ever bother helping her", Lizzie muttered. "And what's with you? You never let Kate get off that easy."
"Have you seen Gordo?" Miranda asked, desperately changing the subject. "It's not like him to skip lunch."
Lizzie waved it off. "He's probably just catching up on some homework, either that or avoiding me."
"Knowing him its just homework", Miranda said reassuring her friend. "Hey, come to the swim meet with me after school, before you go meet Gordo. There's nothing better than half naked guys to take your mind off things. But Ethan's off limits", she warned. "He's mine."
Lizzie smiled. Ordinarily she'd take Miranda up on her offer, but there was something else that she'd been wanting to do. "Actually, I heard there's this debate thing after school. I was thinking of checking it out."
Miranda looked at her oddly. "Since when are you into debate?"
"Since recently", Lizzie defended herself. "I argue with Matt all the time and besides, it'll be good for college applications."
Miranda shot her another look. There had to be more to this.
"I think it'll be fun", Lizzie replied almost dreamily.
Miranda studied her friend who was now positively beaming. She'd seen that look on Lizzie's face before. First with Ethan, then with Ronnie, then Frankie and most recently with Gordo. It was a guy. It had to be a guy. But who was he and better yet, why didn't she know about it?
