Part 7
A dream? How much of it had I dreamt? I looked down at my leg and noticed that I had indeed had my operation, meaning that Paul being mad at me was real. It actually depressed me even more. I was so happy in my dream, and the painting he did of me... I wish I had something like that to remember this operation thing.
I was at home for another 2 weeks before I was allowed go anywhere and the only thing I got from Paul were looks of betrayal. The next day I was back at school and apparently he is in a few of my classes. I wasn't looking forward to it at all. My sleep was really disturbed. Paul's face flashed over and over in my mind. When I woke up I was so tired I tried to get mum to let me stay home, but she said id been home long enough and I was never going to recover fully if I was lazy about it.
She brought me to school and kissed my cheek as always, drove off and left me standing there to face school after 3 weeks of being away. All of my friends ran up to me asking me about my operation and how I hurt it. I didn't really answer them properly and they didn't leave me alone. All I wanted to do was find Paul.
I went to my first class and sat next to Cathy, as I always did. She smiled at me and handed me a note. She couldn't talk because our teacher was an old grump who made us be quiet from the moment we walked in to the moment we left. I answered back and we passed it between us through class.
The note read:
Hey! How are you?
Tired... you?
GREAT! Hey... how come Paul hasn't talked to me again?
It's a long story. We had a bit of a fight and he's really angry at me.
OOOHHHH a fight..... what about?
I really don't want to talk about it now. Ill tell you later.
*Sigh* ok...
Hey... what classes do me and Paul have together?
Umm... English, Science, Geography and P.E.... Oh and Drama
He's in all of my classes today!
Yep.. have fun!
Thanks... I've gotta get some work done... I need to catch up a bit.
OK! Talk to you after class.
Sure.
The rest of math's was hell on my thoughts. He's in my English class. English is next. What to do what to do...
The bell rang and I made my way to English, I walked in and sat in my usual seat. My teacher asked me how I was, gave me my work to catch up on and announced that the new student had the pleasure of sitting next to me. My heart stopped. She asked me what was wrong and I just said I was a little tired. She chatted on a bit about her family and then went back to her desk.
I couldn't keep my eyes off the door, and then he came. He stopped when he saw me sitting in the desk next to the one he had been allocated. Looking down he came over at sat in his chair, not making the slightest hint of eye contact.
Mrs. Baskin came happily over to us.
'Chris dear, id like you to meet Paul, Paul, meet Chris. Chris will be your English Partner for the next assignment Paul... I'm sure you'll feel comfortable with her. Come on, don't be shy. Chris your not usually shy to the new students'
I looked at Paul and smiled.
"Hi Paul... Nice to meet you" he looked stunned for a few moments and then smiled back.
"Yeah... Nice to meet you to Chris" I could tell it was hard for him to do.
"That's much better... you two will get on fine"
She walked away and the smiled vanished from both our faces.
Mrs. Baskin stood up in front of the class and clapped her hands together.
"Eyes this way please... Everyone watchi.... I said... Everyone watching please. Enough from those giggling gurties there� come one. I don't want to have to tell you people again� Now� I've got some wonderful news everyone. We're going on a camp for a week. To a beautiful place called Jindabyne. Its near mount Koskiosko�. And you will all be spending the week working with your English partner. I've got permission notes written out and I want everyone to come. Please have them back to me by Friday.
Now can you please continue with what we were doing yesterday. Paul can you help Chris catch up. Thank you everyone"
A week working beside Paul? I wasn't sure if I was happy or� scared by this.
"Chris�" Paul said to me and hope filled my little head.
"Yeah?" I said� trying not to show it.
"we're reading pages 45 - 68 and answering the questions on this sheet" he said showing me the sheet from my paper pile.
"Thanks" I said with a sigh. Paul went on with his work and we sat in silence.
This was going to be a long process.
part 8