Fallout (Crank 3)

Too easy to disprove.

I have a toothache.

The dentist? On Saturday?

Work called me in.

When did you get a job?

I need to study.

There’s always Sunday.

I’m going in for

green contacts.

There’s a novel idea.

Grandfather won’t

let me go.

The biggest kicker of all.

What if he won’t?

BY THE TIME

The bell rings for lunch, I still

haven’t figured out what to say.

Then I see Bryce. Every ounce

of doubt melts away beneath

the warmth of his smile.

By the time I have stashed

my books, he is at my side.

Almost unbelievably, I feel

his arm slide around my waist.

Hungry? Come on. Let’s go.

I am not even a little bit hungry.

At least, not for food. Usually

I grab a quick bite at the snack

bar, sit on the lawn or in the quad

to nibble and read. But not today.