Chapter 28
My neck looked like it had some sort of flesh eating bacteria and it itched like crazy. I was not amused.
I was scratching my way down the hallway. Mrs. Holliday was sending me to the nurse. Supposedly, the other students believed I was contagious. Perhaps I did make the situation seem more dire by moaning and begging that freshman Heidi to dig her press on nails into my boils. What did they expect me to do? I really hate Home Ec.
I was enjoying the silence of the empty hallway, when I turned the corner and saw the bane of my existence harassing my stoner buddy.
That Kate girl was pushed up against the lockers, while James Taylor was searching her pockets.
She protested, "I told you I don't have any!"
"James Taylor, James Taylor...I know the sounds of jam rock upset your delicate folk music sensibilities, but this is just ridiculous. You keep singing about being a friend, when we all good and well that you don't have any, while Mary Jane here listens to a ten hour guitar solo. Cool?"
"What happened to your neck?" He glared at me. Oh scary.
"Poison, James Taylor. Would you like to share?"
I moved closer. I rubbed my hand on my neck and held it out towards him.
"Don't fucking touch me!" He started backing away. "Katherine, I want my pot."
"I don't have it," she repeated.
I moved closer to James Taylor and pointed to the front of his preppy khaki's. "My truck is looking awfully sad without some truck nuts. Want to contribute?"
He clutched the front of his pants. "I have to go!"
"Farewell, James Taylor. I expect some harmonica playing in the quad this afternoon."
"You're insane!"
"Like a loon," I agreed, making my eyes grow wide. A smirk flitted quickly to my lips and disappeared, as I watched the rat scurry away.
"You saved me, girl," Kate said and patted my shoulder. What was with these people and touching? "I didn't even have any chronic on me."
"Uh huh."
I was hoping she would just stop talking.
"I'm trying to quit."
"Uh huh."
Do not make conversation.
"There's this boy."
Oh sweet Jesus, I'm not a religious woman, but please shut her up.
"Uh huh"
"His name is..."
I took a good look at her shirt. It was tie dyed. Of course. It was those damned Grateful Dead bears dancing on it that had me transfixed. I murmured, "Those bears are staring at me."
"We should go to lunch," she stated, taking the sleeve of my sweater and pulling me towards the cafeteria. Who asked her to dine with me? I certainly didn't. "Why are you wearing the winter sweater, girl? It's like 70 degrees."
I have a new best friend. Today was on the slippery slope to horrendous.