Splinters: Part One

Part One | 5

Grady stood by my side as all left the gymnasium and out to the track. I finished at around seven or eights minutes which was pretty surprising for me. I was going to go sit down and catch my breath after I recorded my time, but I changed my mind when I heard some guys laugh at Grady.

"He's so fat."

"Watch him run. It's hilarious."

I stared at the boys. One of them looked at me and gave me that what-are-you-looking-at look. I pressed my lips together and looked away. Sighing, I got up, and ran towards Grady. I guess I owed it to him. He gave me his clothes so the least I could do was support him because obviously, no one else would.

"Hey." I said.

Grady was panting, trying his hardest to run at a decent speed.

"H-h-hi."

"Take your time." I told him.

"I've g-gotta ma-make it." He said.

Then he stopped and leant over, his hands on his knees.

"I-I can't d-do it."

"Okay, um, Grady? Just breathe, okay?"

He tried doing as I said, but I could tell he really didn't want to go on any longer. At some point, maybe three minutes later, he was able to walk. He finally finished the Mile Run a little after thirteen minutes. Some kids stared, looking at the two of us as if we were aliens.

I could tell Grady wasn't very admired. The fact that people made fun of him made me sad.

"Thanks," Grady said, exasperated.

I gave him a decent smile and patted him on the back softly. "You did well."

Grady laughed, but he didn't say anything back.

After the class ended, I gave returned Grady's clothes to him.

"You can keep the clothes."

I tiled my head, acting as if I was actually considering it. "No thanks."

"Suit yourself." He put on some deodorant, to which he offered as well, and of course I quickly declined. "So what class do you have next?"

"History."

"Sucks. Lucky for you, so do I!"

I grinned slightly. I didn't want to regret meeting Grady, but naturally, a part of me was worried that he would be the only person I'd get along with here. I didn't want to be rude or selfish, so I tired my best to keep an open-mind.  Besides, I'd rather have a genuine friend than a bad one.

"Where's your locker?" Grady asked me once we exited the locker room.

I scratched the back of my neck. "Um. I don't know how to get to it from here."

"That's okay. What number is it?"

I told him the number and he beamed. "Oh! C'mon! I'll take you to it."

"Are we going to be late?"

"Not if we get there quick."

This time, I smiled for real. Grady definitely wasn't my usual kind of company, but he was friendly enough to continue talking to me. That was more than almost everyone here. Maybe it's actually me who's lucky to be friends with him.

Grady and I rushed to my locker. As I did the combination, I was confused as to why he was waiting for me. Then I wondered if he'd need his own book.

"Do you need to get your stuff?"