It's Monday morning. As the teacher takes register,I sit and think about the conversation I had with Natalie. Her words echo in my head, 'you'll never know if you don't try'…it's not like Andrew and I are even there yet,I don't even know if he likes me…or if I like him. So why should I give him a chance if there isn't even a chance to give? I hear the teacher call my name,to which I reply 'here'. I then carry on daydreaming till the bell rings.
***
I walk in the halls to get to first period,but as soon as I pass by the little garden reserved for the seniors,my eye catches Andrew talking on the phone. It looks pretty intense,because he is making violent gestures while talking to the other person. As soon as he ends the call,he paces up and down,with his hands behind his head,as if he needs to calm down.
I then decide to enter the garden,making him aware of my presence. "Hey,you okay?" I ask him. He nods, "Yeah,I'm fine." I give him a concerned look,to which he replies, "Okay,maybe I'm not." There's a moment of silence before he starts speaking again. "My mom…umm…",he stutters,then he looks at me. I give him a reasssuring look,causing him to continue, "My mom left me and my dad a few years ago,and never made contact…until recently,". "Was she the one you were talking to on the phone?" I ask. "Yeah," he replies, "she says she wants to 'reconnect',but I don't know if I want to.". I look at him,trying to come up with some advice,and then hesitantly answer him, "My dad…well..he left when I was eight,and…I always think about what I would do if he shows up at our doorstep,begging me for a second chance. Anyone would probably encourage me to 'go for it',but they don't get what it's like when the one person you trusted the most ends up being the one to betray you. So I don't know what I would do if he ever comes back,but I know him well enough to know he wouldn't. But I think I would've liked to try. Your mom came back,and she's trying to fix things. I know you're mad at her,but,I think you should give her a chance. Like a wise person I know once said, 'you'll never know until you try'," I smile as I quote Natalie's words.
Andrew looks at me for a second,then picks up his bag and turns around and walks to the door. I sigh,thinking he's about to leave,then turn around to pick up my bag. He then looks over his shoulder and asks, "Want me to walk you to class?" . I smile at him and then respond, "Sure."
We walk in the hallway,and as expected,we are very late for class. "Do you think they'll notice if we just slip in?" I ask panicked. We enter the classroom quietly,but as soon as we enter,all eyes are on us. "Oh,I think they'll notice…" he replies.
We quickly find our way to our seats. Surprisingly enough,the art teacher didn't say a word,which is weird,because she doesn't like me,like,at all. As we take out our books,I feel the whole class staring,watching our every movement. I hear Andrew whisper, "Well aren't they nosy," to which I just respond with a smile. The teacher then snaps her fingers,grabbing everyone's attention,then starts the lesson.