A Week In the Life

A Heart To Heart In The Janitor's Closet

Avery's POV

For a while I just ran and ran, not thinking were to go. I just needed to get the heck out of this place. But after a while, I figured I would need a decent hiding place. But where to? Where could I go to cry in peace?

I walked down the hallway, and as I eyed the hall I had an idea. Like many storybook characters, I slid into the janitors closet.

When I got inside, I slid down the wall and just let hot tears flow onto my cheeks. I had frog guts all over me, and I probably had made a fool of Aaron and myself in front of the whole class. And now I was playing hooky - the first time and the worst. And frog guts? Frogs were one of the only things I was afraid of. Another twisted game of fate, I guess.

"Hello?" There was a soft, girl's voice on the other side of the door. A voice I didn't recognize.

"Who is it?" I asked, slightly nervous. Was this person going to force me back to class?

"Libby. Libby Collins." I'd never heard of her. Well, she sounded nice, at least.

"Come in, I guess."

The door creaked open. Libby Collins was a pretty girl with blueish-green eyes and long, long brown hair that reached her knees. I wondered why I'd never talked to her.

"What does Mr. Steinman want?" I asked. "For me to come back." I sighed and started to stand up.

"No." Libby had a quiet sort of voice, wispy, like fog. "I came looking for you."

"Why?"

"To talk, and I don't talk much." I'd guessed enough.

Libby continued, "Are you OK?"

I was far from it, but I liked how Libby tried to comfort me so I said, "OK, I guess."

She laughed, but not meanly, "No you aren't." Her voice was actually really pretty.

I sort of broke down then, and told her every single horrible thing that had happened, even though she'd probably witnessed it. I didn't even know why I told her, a complete stranger. Maybe it was the way she'd went looking for me, even when she barely knew me.

"...And so by now, Aaron probably hates me and I've embarrassed myself in front of everybody.

Libby frowned thoughtfully. "I mean, it seems to me that Aaron was just shocked and flipping over the tray was a total accident. I mean, everyone can tell you like each other." I didn't say anything, but I was thinking, "I wish."

Libby sighed. "It's true, you know. You too are so lucky. You obviously like each other. Other people aren't so lucky you know..."

Libby had done it. I was no longer sad, but intrigued. "Do you like somebody?" Libby didn't answer, instead told me, "Since you told me everything, I guess I should explain. I came looking for you because I felt really sorry for you. But I usually never do things like that. See, back in elementary school, I loved to sing and play the piano, and I still do, but back then I wasn't afraid to sing out loud and perform around people. But then I was bullied...a lot. I learned to keep to myself." She blushed and muttered, "You probably don't care, though."

But I did. I was intrigued, and wanted to help this girl that had helped me. And I had a (brilliant) idea. "OK, Libby. Look you're probably amazing! And you need to show it. Bullies are so stupid and insecure themselves. And your going to teach them a lesson!"

"I am?"

"Yes you are! I am the head of the dance committee. You can form a band and perform at the dance!"

"I-I don't know..."

"Look at least come with me this afternoon!" Come on, come on I thought.

"Ok...I guess."

"YES!" The gears in my head were turning like mad. "Cliff can play the drums, you can sing, Sarah plays keyboard, and Ian can play guitar!" I summed up triumphantly. "We can ask them!"

"I-I haven't even said yes yet. And I'm not so sure about it..."

"All right, but you're coming with me today, right?"

"Oh, okay."

But there was still one unanswered question..."Libby, who do you like?"

"Why should I tell?" I folded my arms.

She sighed. "I guess I should tell you..."

"..."

"..."

"Oh, come on!"

"...Ian."

"WHAT?!" was the first thought in my head. "What is up with Ian and girls?" was my second. Lastly was the realization that bashful, sweet Libby was best fit for Ian than my best friends.

Did that make me a bad friend to Emma? To Lexi? Would thinking Emma/Lexi was a better choice being a bad friend to Libby? But I'd just met Libby! But she WAS best for Ian...

DING!

The period bell rang and Libby and I jumped. She helped me clean up most of the frog guts and I rushed to my locker for a change of clothes.

Ian's POV

Aaron and Avery were so lucky. Libby Collins probably had no idea who I was.