There was little conversation on the drive over besides discussing some plans for after school.

            “So I should probably head home after school for a bit to let my family know that I’m still alive and haven’t grown any extra limbs in the hundred years its been since they’ve seen me” Avery smiled. I could feel her probing eyes on me, burning a hole in the side of my face. I smiled half-heartedly, hoping that she’d just take that and be happy with it. My peripheral vision caught her smile flickering, just for a moment. She knew something was up. “So maybe we can just confirm later plans via text message?”

            “Sounds good.” I said lamely. Why did I need to be so difficult right now? “Want me to drop you off at the bio-lab? I know you’ve got that first” I said, trying to redeem myself a little. Her smile was back, probably touched at the fact that I knew her schedule by heart.

            “Yeah sure, thank you. The walk across campus can be so irritating during first period with all of the human traffic.” She laughed lightly, and I tried to as well.

We finally pulled up in front of the bio-lab and she clicked her seatbelt off. For a moment she just sat there, her mouth hanging partially open as if she were about to say something. I turned my head and looked at her expectantly. Her eyes lingered on mine for a moment, and then she blinked and she closed her mouth. “Thanks, Spence. I’ll see you at lunch” She said finally. She gave me a quick kiss, then got out of the car with her ten-ton backpack, and strode through the big glass doors.

            I had until lunch to be alone. Avery and I shared very few classes – she had been in the gifted programs since she could practically walk, so she was a year ahead of me in nearly every subject, though she was my age. For once, I thanked God for that. I needed time to set my thoughts in order.

Once I had parked, I grabbed my backpack and swung it over my shoulder, taking a deep breath. Relax, I commanded myself. I strode towards the big brick building with little confidence in my step. I lazily greeted the passing familiar faces with weak smiles, my mind too distant to even formulate a hello, or to wave.