The Gentleman of York
Mayberry
Part I.
I had been holding the phone for about five minutes, her number flashing in my mind. She and I were getting sick of these late night phone calls, but it was the only time we could speak. It felt very Romeo and Juliet, which we enjoyed at first being drama junkies. But now it was getting boring, having to wait until Liberty finished her homework and Mr. Van Zandt went to sleep. That night was especially hard because we both had a Media Immersion quiz to study for, but she had Geometry to do, which I know takes her a bit longer, plus some revisions she had to make for the morning announcements. At least I had been productive and started the lab report for Ms. H. I was actually doing pretty good in her class this term; an A wasn't impossible. Maybe Mr. Van Zandt would be impressed with that.
I heard a knock at my door. My sister, Jessica, entered, unannounced.
"Whoa, you actually cleaned up in here," said Jessica. "What'd you want for dinner?"
Putting the phone down, I picked up my skateboard and started turning the wheels.
"Not hungry," I said.
"Were you calling your girlfriend?," teased Jessica. "Libby Tibby?"
I threw her an ugly look. "Great, Jess. Listening in on my phone calls?"
Jessica laughed. "Just impressed you got a girlfriend that wants to hear your voice for more than ten minutes...."
She laughed again, but it trailed off. I wasn't in the mood to argue.
"Look, I know I'm not Mom, and Mom's not really...well, hardly ever around. But I can listen...can try to help," said Jessica.
This was surprising. Jessica was always busy with her private school friends, who were obsessed with Orlando Bloom and fruit-flavored lip gloss. The only time we talked during the week was over dinner, which was usually bad spaghetti or another type of pasta that I chewed down so her feelings wouldn't get hurt. They were late dinners because Jess cooked after debate club. Guess she got the debating genes, and I got the acting genes. We talked about how Degrassi was different from Avondet Academy, which was an all girls' school. I told Jess that I wanted to go to Avondet after Paige told me I was a good date. Jess said Paige was being polite and that I was a pig, but ever since I started going out with Liberty, I've heard no complaints.
"Libby Tibby...I mean, ugh. Liberty's dad doesn't like me much," I said.
"Why?," asked Jess.
I wasn't going to mention the hot tub incident. The only person I told was Toby. Didn't feel like hearing Jess make fun of me. But man, before Mr. Van Zandt, it was perfect. Lib said my butt was nice. According to her, I'm bootylicious. Makes me regret all that time with Manny in the hot tub. I bet she never even looked at my butt. Guess she was too busy checking out Spin's bad hair or daydreaming about Craig giving her fluffy fluffs.
"Well, J.T...maybe if you acted more like a gentleman...," started Jess.
What?? I know I insist that people pull my finger and I know that I pants unsuspecting victims, but I was a gentle guy. I defended Paige at the basketball game, but no one remembers the brave mascot. No, Spin got the attention the next day and I got detention. The Ms. H thing? It was me defending her when Sean and Toby were cracking jokes.
"I'm a gentleman," I protested.
"Well, maybe to Liberty. But who else?," said Jess, giving me a long look.
She left, closing the door softly behind her. I sighed, and sunk my head against my pillow. I turned to my alarm clock. 10:00. I started to pick up the phone again, but slammed it down. Calling after 10:00 was pretty rude.
The next day, Toby and I were at our locker, cleaning it out before spring break. I tossed out my rainbow wig, whoopie cushion, and some gum that made your teeth green. Danny had fallen for the gum, blabbed to Liberty, and I had promised to get rid of it.
"Not picking up Liberty before class as usual?," asked Toby.
"After the announcements," I said, smiling. "Yesterday she told me that she gets nervous when I watch her. So now I wait."
Toby made a gagging noise. "Tell me I wasn't like this with Kendra."
"You were," I said, slamming his History book against his chest.
"At least I wasn't covered in condoms," said Toby.
A guy walking close to an open locker across the hallway slammed his head into the locker door, apparently having no idea where he was going. Not surprisingly, Paige appeared, Hazel in tow. Paige was wearing a green crop-top and shiny black cigarette pants.
"Guys can't handle beauty first thing in the morning," said Paige, shrugging and smiling at me.
"Especially a double dose," I said, bowing to both ladies.
Hazel beamed. I could see Toby drooling all over his History book from the corner of my eye.
"Very gentlemanly, sweet potato," said Paige, doing a little curtsy.
"Let it never be said that J.T. Yorke doesn't have class," I said. "Tobes on the other hand..."
I looked over to see if that would get Toby back in the loop, but he was still staring at Hazel. Hazel gave him a puzzled look.
"Alright there, Toby?," asked Hazel.
"Uh...uh...," stammered Toby. "Uh...yeah."
Paige brushed a hair from my shoulder. I couldn't believe that we'd become such good friends. Now she was kind of like a mom. If she was a mom, she'd be the hottest mom in Canada.
"Well, believe it or not, Spin is learning manners, too," said Paige. "Taking a class, in fact."
"Wait...he's expelled," said Toby, finally coming back to the conversation.
"He's taking some classes at the community college," explained Paige. "Trying to catch up and finish the year. One of which is etiquette. Probably there to meet girls, but whatever."
I turned to Hazel for confirmation.
"Was surprised as you," said Hazel.
"Face it, hon," said Paige. "Spin's going to come back to Degrassi knowing what fork to use, pulling out our chairs, excusing himself to go to the little boy's washroom. Gone are the days of burping, bad hygiene, and even those fuzzy eyebrows...ew."
"Emma's into fuzzy eyebrows," I whispered to Toby.
He finally came to, and smirked.
"So girls...they like that stuff?," I asked.
"Course they do, hon," answered Paige. "Why do you think Hazel's into Jimmy?"
"Jimmy is pretty special," gushed Hazel, looking into space.
Toby rolled his eyes.
"And your dad likes Jimmy?," I said.
Hazel grinned. "Duh. Everyone likes Jimmy."
Paige and Hazel shook their heads like I was crazy, and started down the hall. I punched Toby in the arm.
"You know the Masons' phone number, right?" I said.
"Yeah," said Toby gloomily.
"Give it to me...I need it for something."
