Chapter Eleven: Of Engagements and Drugs
Darry rolled sleepily off the bed, groaning. Six a.m.! That's too early for me, he thought irately. He turned to see Lucky snoring peacefully.
I should let him sleep, Darry thought. His classes don't start until eight. Too bad for Lucky Darry was in an evil mood.
Darry marched over to Lucky's bed, shook him violently, yelling "WAKE UP!" and rolling him, bedcovers and all, onto the floor.
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Lucky groaned. Why did Darry have to be so evil? He had a massive headache and he felt sick to his stomach. He had woken up twice last night to throw up.
He probably shouldn't have gone off with Speed to try speed for the first time. Never again, Lucky thought miserably. He had liked it so much it scared him, and the consequences weren't worth it.
He opened his eyes reluctantly and turned over to scowl at Darry.
"High!" Darry yelped. Lucky panicked and started to say, "No! I can explain!" when he realized from Darry's wide grin that he was probably just saying hello.
"Oh. Hi, Darry," Lucky said. Darry squinted at him. "Lucky? You alright? You look a little pale," he said, concerned. "Uh, I'm fine," Lucky lied.
Darry wasn't entirely convinced. He leaned a bit closer and sniffed. "What's that smell?" he asked suspiciously. "Nothing!" Lucky said too quickly. He leaped up and ran into the bathroom before Darry could figure it out.
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Huh. Lucky was sure acting weird. But right now, that was the least of Darry's problems. "Lucky!" he bellowed, banging on the bathroom door. "Get out! My classes start before yours!"
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Lucky flopped down at the table in the outdoors cafeteria where A.J. was sitting. She peered at him concernedly.
"Lucky? You okay?" she asked. She crinkled her nose at him. "What's that smell? Did you change cologne or something?"
"Uh, yeah," Lucky lied. A.J. frowned at him. "You smell kind of like Speed does," she remarked, realizing the meaning behind these words just as she said them.
"Oh, Lucky, you didn't!" she groaned, as Lucky ducked sheepishly behind his sandwich. "Lucky! You're lucky you didn't die, or have a bad trip, or whatever," A.J. babbled, clearly upset.
"A.J., calm down! People are staring," Lucky said, looking around warily. "Anyway, I feel sick to my stomach. That's the last time I do anything like that."
"Good," snapped A.J., thoroughly relieved. I swear, Lucky is such a dope! He's gonna get himself killed one of these days! A.J. thought miserably.
"Oh, god," Lucky groaned quietly. "I think I'm gonna be sick." A.J. moved away carefully. "Not on my term paper, you're not," she said warningly.
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Darry took a deep breath as Ms. Hart came around with the test papers. Alright, Darry. You can do this. You studied, and asked A.J. for help, and all that jazz. You can do this.
He stared at the paper in front of him. I can't do this! Darry thought, panicking.
After class, Darry stopped by to talk to Ms. Hart. "Um, Ms. Hart?"
She turned around from erasing the chalkboard. "Yes, Darrel?" she said kindly. "Um…" Darry was suddenly at a loss for words. He shook himself mentally and tried to focus.
"Yeah. Um, I don't think I'm doing so well in Calculus. Do you know where I can get some help?" Ms. Hart considered his question for a moment.
"Yes, Darry, I do know of a student group on campus that can help you. I just wonder where I put that information…" She wandered over to her desk and started sifting through drawers, looking for that information.
The light hit her hand, and something glinted off her ring finger. Darry stared at it. It couldn't be…could it?
Ms. Hart noticed Darry staring and smiled. She held up her left hand. "Like it?" she asked, smiling. "I just got engaged last weekend."
Darry froze. Engaged? "Oh…I'm happy for you," Darry said, trying to smile. Ms. Hart smiled prettily. "Thank you, Darrel. Oh, here's that packet."
She handed him a packet of papers. "Thanks," he said, trying to stay cool. "I'll…I guess I'll see you tomorrow," he said, already backing away.
"Alright, Darrel. You take care," Ms. Hart said, waving. Darry waved back, trying to grin, but his heart was breaking.
Alright, no need to be so dramatic, Darry scolded himself. What chance did I have with her anyway? None, that's what, so what did I lose? Nothing. He was trying to lie to himself. It wasn't working.
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"What's wrong?" Lucky demanded as soon as Darry stepped into the room. "Nothing," Darry said casually.
Lucky didn't believe him for a second. Darry looked…lost, almost. Or like he had been hit by a truck. When Lucky said so, however, Darry merely scowled at him.
"You shut your trap," he snarled. Man, he's touchy, Lucky thought. Something's definitely up. He didn't push the subject, however, and put on his jacket and went out.
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Darry tried to focus, but he just couldn't. He shoved aside his books and turned in for an early night.
He was woken rudely an hour later by the ringing phone. "What?" he answered irritably.
"Gosh, Darry," someone said teasingly on the other line. "What's got you so cranky?"
"Soda! Hi!" Darry yelped happily, springing up, all sleepiness and sorrow forgotten. "What's up?"
"Nothing. Just calling…have you by any chance seen the news?" Soda's voice sounded kind of strained.
Darry frowned. "No," he replied. "Why?" he added suspiciously. "Just get any newspaper and read the headline," Soda said pleadingly. "You have to see this."
Darry knew Soda meant business, so he grabbed the Chicago Tribune, which he picked up every day on campus. He hadn't had much of a chance to look at it today, since he was wallowing in his misery.
He glanced at the headlines and his eyes widened. "No way!" he exclaimed.
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What happened? Review to find out. Ha, Ha, I know, you don't.
