**Another shorter one, but was determined to end this part properly and didn't want to drag it on. Will hopefully get one more part on before Monday, when I go away for 2 weeks :)**
The principal opened his office door and beckoned for Kenny to enter, just as the corridors began to fill with children. Kenny stood up slowly and walked through the door, sitting himself down in the leather chair next to the desk. The principal closed the door, blocking out all noise of the rest of the school and sat opposite, staring at the computer screen at the side of the desk.
"Kenny, first let me just say, you're not in trouble. Far from it. It's just… I think we should have a little chat. Some of the teachers have been getting a little worried about you recently, saying you're distracted in lessons and not handing in your work on time. Now, I know ninth grade is hard and I know exactly how you feel. The thing is, we've noticed that you're not always in lessons on time and I just wanted to know… is everything alright at home? Your councillor says you have been very uptight about your home life and its okay if you don't want to talk about it. But all we want is to figure out what is wrong…" The principal sat back in his chair, as Kenny looked him in the eyes, his expression unreadable. The blonde boy sat, silently thinking. Then he spoke.
"To be honest with you sir, I don't think this is any of your business. I can handle my family life on my own thank you very much and what's this about my councillor. Isn't there any such thing as fucking confidentiality anymore? My life's fine and yes, I might not hand in my homework and get to school late, but name a kid who doesn't. I'm trying as hard as I can to actually get a start in life and all you can think to do is criticise me, put me down and then even suggest that there's something wrong at home. Maybe I'm just thick. Did you ever think of that? Just another thick kid, who you expect more out of because he isn't out there with the other retards taking drugs and drinking every night. I can't deal with it sir, please just let me be!"
Leaving the principal in a stunned silence, Kenny turned away and left, silently closing the door behind him. The corridors were silent again. Pulling up the hood of his parka, Kenny headed off to his next lesson.
Kyle enjoyed maths far more than he enjoyed English. Numbers had always came naturally to him and today was no exception, as he flew through the questions and was already at the front of the class, asking for more work before most of the other kids had answered the first question. He didn't even have to try. Over in the corner, Stan glared at Kyle, jealous of his natural ability. He would give anything to be clever, have the knowledge to breeze through the work and not get stressed about it. Life was so unfair.
As Kyle finished his second sheet of work, the door opened and Kenny stepped in, his gold hair protruding messily from under the hood of his parka and his blue eyes glistening with, were they tears? He quickly whispered to the teacher, who nodded, then walked through the stunned and silent rows of children and sat down in the empty seat next to Kyle. They said nothing as Kyle simply returned to his work, not wanting to be the first one to ask and Kenny stared blankly at the questions in front of him. After a moment, Kyle passed his completed work sheet over to Kenny, who began writing. Slowly, Kenny grasped Kyle's hand under the desk and their fingers interlocked. They smiled at each other.
[End of Part 2]