Craig nervously tapped his pencil on his desk, eyeing the clock at the front of the classroom. It was almost lunch and Thomas hadn't texted him back. Not that Craig was expecting him to just yet; Thomas actually paid attention in class.
Craig automatically checked his phone again. His heart fluttered for a moment when he realized a text had come through, only to settle down again in disappointment when he realized it was his mom texting about Tricia's forgotten lunch money.
Irritated, he tapped his pencil on the desk again to the tune of Funkytown.
"Well I talk about it, talk about it, talk about it, talk about it." He mumbled to himself.
"Talk about, talk about, talk about movin'. Gotta move on, gotta-"
"Craig Tucker, pay attention!" His teacher yelled at him.
"Goddamnit." Craig said under his breath.
"Fine, Craig. If you don't want to learn you can go to the counsellor's office to talk." She said putting her hands on her hips.
Craig glared at her, but stood up to leave. He knew she wasn't really giving him an option here. Unfortunately that meant he'd be spending his lunch hour with Mr. Mackey. Was that guy ever going to quit?
Craig knocked on the counsellor's door, hearing movement inside. He leaned closer to hear Mr. Mackey.
"Oh, sorry Principal Victoria, I've got to get this. It's probably Craig, m'kay. He hasn't been in trouble all day so I've been expecting him again sooner or later."
Craig frowned.
"That's fine Mr. Mackey, enjoy your lunch!" Principal Victoria said.
Craig moved aside as she opened the door.
"I'll see you later to talk about that thing we were talking about, m'kay?" Mr. Mackey moved into Craig's view.
"Sounds good!" She tittered, and walked down the hall towards the cafeteria.
"M'kay. Well Craig, would you like to have a seat in my office?" Mr. Mackey turned his attention towards him finally.
"No I would not." Craig stated.
"Alright, well come on in, m'kay." He lead Craig into the room.
"So why are you here this time, young man? Have you been jacking it in class again?"
"No, you're thinking of Kenny." Craig said.
"Oh, that's right." Mr. Mackey scratched his head.
"Mr. Mackey, can I ask you something?" Craig said, taking a leap of faith.
"Well of course, Craig. What's on your mind, m'kay?"
Craig took a deep breath.
"Okay. Say someone likes two, um, people, but they can't decide who to ask out because both of these people are cute. What should they do?" Craig asked.
Mr. Mackey stayed silent for a second before answering.
"Oh, I see. You're talking about your friend Clyde and his little girlfriends, Bebe and Red."
"Clyde likes Red?" Craig frowned.
"Well, you can tell him that there's more to girls than their looks, m'kay. You also have to consider how much they talk about their feelings, and how much of your money they're likely to spend in the future, and whether they'll complain if you want to get cozy in bed after a long day at work or not, m'kay?" Mr. Mackey looked at him expectantly.
"Oh, um. Thanks. I'll tell him that." Craig said. "Can I go now?"
"Yes you may, Craig." He said.
Craig got up and left quickly. He still had time to meet his friends in the cafeteria.