more like canned sardines.
MAYBE I’M WRONG
About the attraction
being mutual after all.
As always lately, when I get
to school, I immediately
scan the halls for Bryce,
and when I finally spot him,
he is nose to nose with
Tiffany Garcia. My cheeks
flame. Is everybody looking?
Tick-tick-tick-tick goes
my heart. Fast. Faster.
My fingers start to tingle.
No. Not now. Everybody
is looking, and if I freak
out, I’m completely ruined.
As I take deep and deeper
breaths, a voice falls over
my shoulder. What’s up with that?
Cherie. Just perfect. Inhale.
“I really don’t know.” It’s all
I can find enough air to say.
I JERK MY LOCKER OPEN
Hard. Too Hard.
The neat stacks spill
into each other, onto
the floor. Now everyone
is gawking my way for sure.
Are you okay?