look like you where in deep thought.
TEDDY (with a half smile)
I was thinking about home. Plus there is …..
The bell began to ring for everyone to go to their fourth period. It was Ms. Welton’s planning period. She suggested that Teddy stay to talk with her. She explained to him that she would write him an excuse for his next class.
Teddy told Ms. Welton that he missed Colorado, his old friends, and especially his mother. Teddy’s parents’ divorce because of his mother’s drug addiction. She had been through rehab several times. There was no convincing her that her family needed her.
Ms. Welton was wondering if there was anything else that Teddy may have been thinking about. He mentioned his friends that he has met on the first day of school. He stated that they had classes together but only one class with him.
TEDDY
Ms. Welton I want my schedule changed. I am tired of being labeled SpEd . People are trying to crack jokes. I don’t want to lose my temper and hit someone in their mouth.
MS. WELTON
Now Teddy, I don’t want you to do that either. But you are not labeled. You received a service that helps you be more successful in school.
TEDDY
That is not what other students see. They see me coming in here and it pisses me off.
MS. WELTON
Let me ask you this. Do you think that the extra tutoring is helping you in your subjects?
TEDDY
Yes ma’am. You see I have a problem with comprehending a lot of things that I read. Math is my favorite subject. I have a B average in it. But have a lot of questions that ask how to solve the problems instead of working it out. I would rather work it out.
MS. WELTON
What about your other subjects?
TEDDY
Chemistry is cool. Mr. Gulledge lets us work with different chemicals. History is ok. I don’t like the reading that we have to do.
MS. WELTON
Well that is what this class is for. To help you learn skills and strategies to comprehend what you are reading.
TEDDY
Can I do it in another room instead of coming here? I don’t have anything against you but I don’t like being teased.
MS. WELTON
Well Teddy if you want your dad to come and talk to me about changing your schedule we will look into it. Ok?
TEDDY
Ok.
MS. WELTON
Is there anything else?
TEDDY
No ma’am.
MS. WELTON
Ok. Well let me write you an excuse.
________________
Monique and Ian are in the library preparing for an Advance Placement course. Monique tells Ian that she final confirmed the rooms for this weekend road trip. Ian was wondering if they should go at all because Monique’s father was going to be in New York. Monique assured him that everything would be alright.
IAN
Man I don’t know. I told you this the other night.
MONIQUE
I told you Pop said that we could go.
IAN
But that was when he was going to be in town. I don’t think that he has thought about it.
MONIQUE
Yes he has. He would have told me not to. Aunt Ree is going to be at the house so if anything happens I can just call her.
IAN
Well if you say so.
MONIQUE
I am thinking about asking Teddy to go with us.
IAN
I knew that you were sweet on him.
MONIQUE
Boy please . He is just a cool guy.
IAN
So why are you turning red and pulling your ear?
MONIQUE
Damn it is hot in here plus my ear itch.
IAN
Liar, liar pants on fire.
MONIQUE (laughing)
You call yourself a senior.
Monique and Ian found the books that they were looking for and went to a table to begin their research.
Ian felt a vibration from his cell phone. He took it from the clip and saw that he had a text message from Jeremy.
“Is it ok if I spend the night at your house? ~J/Rock”
Ian texted him back…. “ Yeah sure. I will text my mom to let her know that you are coming”.
Ian knew that his mother would not have a problem with Jeremy spending the night.
IAN
Since we are still going to Nashville tomorrow…can I invite