Tony’s POV
Today’s the day. Classes at Charleston start today and I’m really nervous. After finishing math and literature, I get on the bus towards Charleston. It’s kind of weird leaving school during the middle of the day but I could get used to it.
As I get closer to Charleston, a couple more kids get on the bus, most of them from West Side. I see that white kid that shoved Evie during orientation but he doesn’t see me. He takes a seat towards the back of the bus. There are two girls, one gothic and the other looks like she just stepped out of a country album. Finally, one more kid gets on. He’s really tiny and looks like he’s 13. He hangs his head and sits right next to me.
“Welcome to Charleston!” There’s a short redheaded lady to greet the four of us when we get off the bed. I smile at her and she smiles back. “If you look at your schedules, you are all scheduled for Food Ethics at 1:00. Follow me please.”
We enter a classroom that’s pretty modern. It is set up seminar style with glass tables and sleek, black chairs. At the front of the room, there is also a full, industrial kitchen.
There are already about 40 kids in here and in front of everyone is a small black box. I take a seat near the back and the tiny, shy kid from the bus sit next me, again.
“Hey,” I nod at him.
He looks at me then turns back to face the front.
“I’m Mrs. Carnegie,” the redhead says. She stands at the front of the room and scribbles her name across something in front of her and a second later, it shows up at the front of the room, on a projector screen. “And no, I’m not related to Andrew Carnegie.” She laughs at her own joke and everyone just stares. “Anyway,” she continues. “This is Food Ethics 510. No doubt many of you are wondering what the small black boxes are in front of you. Well,” she gestures wildly. “Open them!”
I start to open mine but not before I hear gasps from around the room. “Omg. iPads!!”
I finally get mine open and it is an iPad. An iPad air actually.
“We maintain a high standard of education here at Charleston,” Mrs. Carnegie says. “These iPads are gifts from us to you. Charleston admin ask that you bring these iPads to each and every class period. Think of it as a laptop almost. We will be using…”
I tune her out and instead, turn my iPad off and stick the earbuds in. I FaceTime Evie and hold my finger over my lips to let her know that I have to be quiet. She’s eating lunch in the cafeteria with Keisha and Keisha waves.
“Are you in class?” Evie asks.
I nod.
“And you’re FaceTiming me?”
I nod again.
“On your phone?”
I shake my head.
“On your…?”
iPad I mouth.
Evie’s mouth drops. “They gave you iPads?!?”
I smile and nod.
“Geez! I wanna go to Charleston. I’m stuck eating this crap food.” Evie holds up a soggy piece of lettuce.
I laugh a little and the shy kid next to me looks at me sideways.
Gotta go, I mouth.
“Okay,” Evie says. “You’ll have to tell me all about your day tonight. I’ll make you dinner if you wanna come over around 5.”
I raise my eyebrows at her.
“Yes, I can make you dinner babe. I have frozen lasagna.”
I make a face at her ‘cause honestly, that’s disgusting.
“Whatever babe,” she says, reading my mind. “Just enjoy it.”
Okay, I mouth.
“Bye,” Evie says.
“Wait!” I say louder than I intend and I get everyone’s attention, including Mrs. Carnegie’s.
“Yes, Mr…” she looks at her attendance sheet. “Mr. Cortes?”
“Um.” I glance at my screen and Evie is laughing at me. “Um.” I say again. “About the iPads, is there any apps you recommend?” It’s a stupid question but it’s all I could think of.
“I’m glad you asked that Mr. Cortes because that’s just what I was going to bring up next!” She puts a slide up and begins talking about food and lifestyle apps that we all need to download.
I look down at my iPad again and Evie is still laughing at me.
“Guess you shouldn’t be FaceTiming during class huh, Mr. Cortes?”
I stick my tongue at her.
“And what did you wanna say?”
I love you, I mouth then smile.
“What?” She asks.
I love you, I try again.
“Whaat?”
I know she’s messing with me now so I roll my eyes.
“Did you says that you loved me?” Evie finally asks.
Yes.
“I love you too. And I’ll see you around five.”
I nod again, blow her a kiss then sign off.
The rest of class is interesting. We get a syllabus and learn more about using the iPad. My next two classes go by quickly and I can’t wait to go home to Evie and her cooking, even if it is just frozen lasagna.