it was wednesday and i was running late, again. this time i pretty much decided that i didn't care how late i was, skipped european history altogether, and walked into my second period class, earth science, with a cup of coffee and hair that looked like some birds had just left to find food. i checked the clock. sixty-eight more minutes until my precalculus class. which also meant sixty-eight more minutes until my precalculus quiz. i pulled out my notebook for pre-calc, and stared over the trigonometric identities. mr. kenthar, the science teacher, eyed me from the front of the room, noticing that my eyes were glazed over as i moved my mouth, mumbling 'sin²θ + cos²θ = 1.'

he apparently decided not to interrupt and started talking about climate, and i continued to ignore his lecture. when the bell rang i figured i was sufficiently prepared for this upcoming quiz and gathered my books and my empty coffee cup. i walked briskly to the classroom in the math hallway and noticing evan sitting in his usual desk, facing the dry-erase board at the front of the room, dropped my books loudly on the desk behind him. he jumped and turned around, giving me a dirty look with a crooked smile that gave him away.

right then and there i wanted to ask him about the brunette girl in the hallway. i wanted to know the truth. i took a deep breath, swallowed, and sat down without saying a word.

he broke the silence. 'did you study?'

'more than enough, i'm sure. trig identities have always been my one true love.'

'well, that's a new sexual orientation then, i'm sure. and kindof disgusting.'

'you mean you don't think trig identities are sexy? craaazy.'

he laughed and mr. moore walked into the room. i put all my books under my desk and braced myself. i actually brought a pen this time, too. hopefully mr. moore wasn't one of those teachers that required that you use pencils on math tests.

sure enough, he wasn't.

i got up and turned in my quiz to mr. moore, and realized that i was the first person to do so. he pointed to the board where he had apparently written 'test on chapter 7 friday. formula sheet, one sided, handwritten.' i nodded in understanding and left the room. i waited up against the orange lockers as i watched many students leave the classroom. after what seemed like thirty minutes, evan walked out, his backpack on one shoulder and a look on his face that said he wanted to set the quiz on fire.

'how do you think you did?' i asked, without requiring an answer.

he groaned, making a sound that i would imagine one to make when they were waking up with the flu.

'fair enough. are you going to be ready for that test on friday?'

'there's a test on friday?!' he said, jumping in front of me and turning to face me. his face said that he was praying for me to say it was all a joke.

'yeah. you didn't see the board?'

he took off running back down the hallway, broke into the classroom, and came back about a minute later.

'damnit. i hate math tests.'

'maybe you should study for it, kid.'

'would you help me, future mrs. trig identity.'

'sure. when?'

'tonight? i have a da...dinner i have to go to with my family tomorrow.' right then and there, i cringed. he almost said date. i heard it. he cut himself off, and i wanted to call him out on it again. what was he playing at, hiding this from me.

'yeah, sure.' i said, trying not to give away jealousy in my voice.

'cool. have you met my sister yet?'

'nope.. you have a sister?'

'yeah, twin. genevieve. i'm surprised she's not in any of your classes.'

'nope, haven't seen a genevieve. do you have any other siblings?'

'yeah, a younger brother. trevor. he's a freshman.'

'haven't seen him either.'

'yeah, you'll probably meet him tonight too, unfortunately.'

i laughed at his last word, and started heading towards the doors again.

'shit, you're done early. well, are you like a vegetarian or anything? just so i can let my mom know for dinner.'

i laughed deeply. 'you've got to be kidding me.'

'well, you got cheese quesadillas at t-bell, so you never know.'

'oh, no. i just don't like their chicken. i love meat. steak has got to be my favourite food.'

'good, i think we're having steak tacos for dinner.'

'awesome. don't you have to go to class?' i asked as he followed me outside. the wind was biting but the sun was out, so i didn't really know how to feel about the weather.

'why would i do that?'

i gave him a look that only a mother could possess. he sighed and pulled his backpack over both shoulders.

'okay, MOM,' he yelled through the wind as he made his way back into the school.

'and zip up your sweatshirt!' i laughed to myself .

...

i will finish this after work and my history paper, probably tomorrow after finals.