I steadily walked out of my front door. I was surprised to see Spinner standing on my porch. I had to take a minute to think about why he was there. All I could manage to say was: "Hi." As awkward as it was, I said it.

"Uh, hey El."

It was a slap in the face. El? I thought to myself. Nobody called me that but Marco. What is up with Spinner today? "Um, it's Ellie." I said.

"Oh, sorry."

I glared at him, "sorry for what? It's an honest mistake." I then stopped in my tracks. What was going on here? First of all, Spinner APOLOGIZES, and we're walking to school together. . . having a. . . conversation! I had to ask. . . "Spinner, why are you here?"

"I just wanted to apologize," he stopped and shuffled his feet.

"You don't-" What was I doing? I almost said 'no, it's ok'. But then I thought about it. Yes, he did have to apologize. I just looked at him, his eyes watery. . . guilt, I knew it. "Spinner, I appreciate that. Are you and Marco. . . OK now?"

"I don't know. I tried to hunt him down afterwards, but he must have ran off home or something."

"Why didn't you check?" I asked, as if I didn't already know why.

"I don't know, it's just too. . . weird! I mean, here I am, this big bully who has been picking on him for how long?? I couldn't just BARGE in his home. I can't do it, El-I mean, Ellie."

We finally reached school, "wow Spinner, who knew you were so. . ." I laughed, "nice."

He looked at me funny, "yeah, it's hard to believe."

"Well, that's not what I meant-"

"Yeah, I get it. But how will Marco ever forgive me? I mean. . . he told me before about the bashers. I didn't think I was like them. I still don't think I'm like them. I mean, they actually. . . hit him. All I did was. . ."

"Ruin his spirit?" I said, looking up at him, "I mean, to me. . . I think that's worse. When you walk away from a fight, all that's left is a bunch of bruises, maybe a few broken bones. You'll recover. But, when you walk away from something like. . . losing a friend," Spinner stopped and looked at me, "it's something else. Something worse. Something. . . you don't forget."

"But he didn't loose me. I'm right here!" his eyes watered. "I'm such an idiot!! How do I make it up to him?? How?"

I shrugged my shoulders as the bell rang. Spinner sighed, and ran off to English. I just stood in the hallway as everyone ran around me. The bell rang again, and I walked slowly to English.

Coming in about ten minutes later, Marco handed Ms. Quan another piece of paper. "Marco, if you really need help with. . ." I couldn't hear the rest. Paige and Hazel sat up front, giggling at chatting away about something or other. . . all I could hear was something that sounded like. . . coffee? I don't know. Hm. . . what can I get from this? Marco needs to drink more coffee so that he will wake up faster? Nah. . . Marco wasn't the type. I was too distressed about Marco's reaction to yesterday to even think about it.

He had a depressed look on his face as he sat down next to me. "You ok?" I asked.

"Do I LOOK OK???" he yelled, raising many confused faces.

I sunk in my seat. . .

We didn't speak the rest of the day.

Finally it was time to go home, and I saw Spinner and Jimmy at their lockers, as usual. "Hey. . ." I said, walking solemnly towards them.

Jimmy laughed at one of Spinner's quips and then turned his head. "Oh, Ellie. . ." his eyes widened. HOW COULD I FORGET??? It's not every day you just kiss someone. It's not something you forget about! How could I be so stupid? Maybe I was too busy thinking about Marco. Go figure. . .

Spinner suspected something. "What's up?"

I slowly backed away. "I. . . I. . ."

[[oooo suspence.. heh heh]]