Knowing You're There

Chapter 8

“Pretty stupid, I guess.”  Kurt took a step back.  He sounded so defeated.  I extended my hand and pat him on the back a few times. 

“That Hug-a-Mug has been owned by my family for years,” Nathan said.  “Good luck with your little joint.  I’m sure you’ll need it.” 

“Be nice, babe,” Sarah said to him. 

Later in LRA, Kurt walked in, nearly late like the past few days.  Instead of sitting across the table, he sat right down next to me.  Of course, Aida told him to move so that “we wouldn’t get distracted.”  Miss Brent gave us a five-page take home test, so I worked on that the entire time. 

When the bell rang, Kurt and I walked to our lockers a little faster than the previous days.  Walking quickly, along with pushing through some freshmen, gave us a few more minutes to talk outside. 

Again, we sat in front of the willow tree.  I bit my lip and made what I felt was a daring move.  When we sat down, I got as close as possible, then leaned m head on his shoulder. 

“Is this okay?” I asked. 

“Yeah it’s fine.” 

“Still bummed out about before?” 

“Nathan is a real douche,” he said.

“You know what, I have the perfect solution.” 

“What’s that?” 

I grinned.  “Let’s go to Burger Barn.” 

I got to my feet and pulled on his arm.  He was still as a rock.  I pulled him harder. 

“Okay, fine.  Before you yank my arm out of my socket,” he said.  “But what about our rides?” 

“Don’t worry about that.”  I held onto Star’s harness.  “Her Thursday class always runs late.” 

“Her class?” 

“She teaches kickboxing.  It’s a long story.” 

That was kind of a lie.  It was just short and kind of embarrassing.  My mother was a preschool teacher, then got sick and tired of whiny little kids and their annoying parents.  She quit her job after five years, gained a bunch of weight, and had been on a health kick since Emmit and I came into the picture.  Don’t get me wrong, I had no problem with my mother being a full time kickboxing instructor—it was just embarrassing to listen to her spandex pants everywhere we went. 

“Text Mom and tell her to pick me up at Burger Barn,” I said into my phone. 

We walked past the lineup of cars and busses to the sidewalk which lead directly to Burger Barn—the subpar burger joint where every student from East Mountain High went after the final bell or after a late night school-dance.

The stroll was pretty pleasant since it wasn’t as horribly cold and windy as the day before.  Kurt slipped his phone out of his jeans a few times.  They weren’t crinkling with each step he took, so I guessed that they were a pair of the skinny ones.  When we reached our destination, Kurt ran ahead to get the door for Star and I.  Just as I expected, it was full of our peers.  

Personally, I liked Burger Barn because it was one of those restaurants that was trying way too hard.  With the blaring country music and a door sensor that shouted “YEE-HAW!” every time someone came in, it made for the perfect comedy session.  However, after the first time I ate one of their infamous jalapeno cheddar bacon rangers, it wasn’t as hilarious. 

We approached the cashier, who said in the most unenthusiastic voice ever, “Howdy and welcome to Burger Barn.  What can I get for you partners today?” 

“I’ll have the jalapeno bacon ranger,” Kurt said without any thought. 

I tapped his arm and shook my head furiously. “Kurt, no no no. Don’t order that.” 

“It’s okay.  I have a strong stomach.”    

“If you say so.”  I turned to the world’s most enthusiastic cashier.  “I’ll just have an order of the cheesy cowboy fries.” 

“With or without bacon?” 

“No bacon.  Extra cheese.” 

I reached into my backpack and dug for my purse, which probably contained only a few coins for lunch money and my broken debit card.  Kurt reached into the pocket of his skinny jeans. 

“I’ve got it,” he said.