II
Here's the 411:
David Granger: Age 16
Grade: 10
Comments: Disappeared at age 12
Jason (Jay) Hogart: Age 16
Grade: 10
Comments: Is David Granger
I sit in English Lit. and every once in awhile I glance to my right. Sitting there is Jason Hogart, the new boy.
I decide that after class I'll introduce myself.
So that's what I do.
The bell rings and I collect my books, following Jay out of the classroom and to his locker.
"Hi. I'm Emma Nelson. You're new right?" I say.
At first he stared at me. Maybe he remembered me too. Of course I knew it was David, but I couldn't go right out and say it.
"Yeah, I'm new. I'm Jay." He puts out his hand and I shake it.
I smile a bit and he smiles back.
"I used to know a girl named Emma. She had blonde hair like yours. I knew her in elementary school. But then I moved to Oklahoma. And now I'm here in Toronto. I don't remember where I was before Oklahoma. All I remember from before I was 12 is Emma…" He drifts.
"I know that 12 is a little young, but did you love her?" I ask. I'm not sure what I'm hoping he'll say.
"I don't really know what love is." Jay nods.
I nod. I understand.
"So…friends?" I put out my hand and he shakes it, smiling.
"Thanks." He says as I walk away.
I turn back and smile, waving.
And then I go to meet my boyfriend, Sean, for lunch.
"Hey." I say, sitting down.
"Hey." He says back. I know he's not in a good mood. He only says 'hey' when he's not in a good mood.
"What's wrong?" I ask.
He shrugs, "Nothing. Just…thinking."
"About what?" I pry.
He shrugs again.
I just smile, taking a bite in my sandwich.
Then Jay enters the cafeteria. I wave him over.
"Jay, this is my boyfriend, Sean. Sean, this is Jay. He's new." I say, looking between the two boys.
They nod and shake hands. I wonder if Sean recognizes him as David, and then I remember that Sean didn't come to Degrassi until grade seven. He didn't even know who David was.
Jay sits. He seems happy here. And I'm happy, too.
But one thing nags the back of my brain.
Does he really not remember elementary school? Or is he just saying that to fit the character?
And then there's the biggest question: Why isn't he him?