T.J. Started by going to Gretchen's house, which was around the corner from his. He rang the doorbell only to find a sickly and tired looking Gretchen answer the door.
"Hiya Gretch. How ya feelin?"
It took Gretchen a few seconds to snap back to reality. "Oh, hi T.J. I feel like my head is about to explode, thank you. My prognosis is looking dim." Gretchen coughed into her sleeve. "Very dim."
"Well, I don't know what a pog-nose is, but sorry you're feeling so bad. I just came over to drop off this. It's our homework assignment, and me, you and Spinelli are all partners." T.J. forced a smile to the husk of his friend standing before him, and handed over the paper. Gretchen sniffled and examined the paper.
"Thanks T.J., but I really don't think I'll be much help. My fever is interfering with my cerebral activity, and besides, I wouldn't want to get any of you sick."
"Well, I understand Gretchen. I'll tell Ms. Grotke you probably won't be there Monday." T.J. said goodbye and walked to Spinelli's house. He was about to ring the doorbell when he heard a harsh whisper, "Teej! Stop!"
T.J. looked around for this mysterious being. He caught an orange ski-cap in the bushes. "Spinelli?" T.J. walked over and uncovered the bushes. "What are you doing in there?"
"Well Teej, I got a dress from my Aunt Laura." Spinelli grimaced. "My parents thought the only way for me to really say 'thanks' was to wear it to school today." T.J looked down at the embarrassing pink dress and could see what she meant.
"So, you just skipped school?"
Spinelli threw her hands in the air. "What choice did I have? It was either that or be the laughing stock of the playground for the rest of elementary school. Anyway, I couldn't have you ringing the doorbell cause I spent the day at Kelso's and just got back. My parents would have known I was gone. What'd you come here for?"
T.J. handed her the paper. "It's Ms. Grotke's assignment. We're partners. Gretchen would have been too but she was too sick."
"Oh, I see." Spinelli stood up. "Well, Gretchen or no Gretchen, any team with Spinelli on it is gonna rock the house."
T.J. smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow, ok?" Spinelli nodded and continued devising a plan to get to her room without her parents noticing.
The next day, Ms. Grotke looked more refreshed than Thursday. Before class, T.J. talked to her about was too sick to be his partner. He added that however, Spinelli could, as she walked into the classroom and gave T.J. a wave.
"Oh, that's too bad. I was hoping to give you some kind of reward for taking that responsibility yesterday T.J."
"It's no problem Ms. Grotke. Spinelli and I will do just fine."
"But that was a really nice thing for you to do T.J."
"It's really no big deal Ma'am…"
"Good heavens, I almost forgot! Gordy was out sick too. He was supposed to be Wiley's partner, but he isn't here today. Can he join you and Spinelli's group?"
T.J. felt his heart skip a beat. "Uh…I don't… I don't…." he stammered.
"I know you're just being humble T.J., but I've got to repay you. Plus you'd be doing Gordy a big favor." Ms. Grotke naively smiled. T.J. gulped, looked down and said "Alright."
"Excellent. Please take your seat T.J, and thanks again!"
T.J. groaned inside. He knew that Gordy hated him. And he didn't know why. These two facts had driven him crazy for a while, and he had tried to win Gordy over. He gave up after nothing worked. He thought he learned his lesson, not everyone can like you right? Then why did the world have to rub it in?
T.J. looked behind at Gordy reading his book before class. Gordy glanced up, and T.J. quickly looked back down.
Maybe he's changed, T.J. thought. T.J. looked back again only to be met with Gordy's scowl. Probably not.