A Couple Fridays Later

I've noticed that over the last two weeks Rosa and Victor have been literally inseparable. And somehow I've allowed myself to become jealous, though I'm not sure of what. Perhaps it's because I think he's stealing my best friend or perhaps it's because she might actually have a boyfriend while I'm all alone. At least this guy is cute unlike her last five.

I'm at school now staring out at my favorite little visitors. The bluebirds must have caught me staring. "Faggot, you like dick. Filthy whore."

Woah okay.

It's been happening for the last month or so. They never used to speak to me. I figure maybe I'm just stressed from all the change or maybe I'm truly going crazy. I have yet to tell anyone about my new found ability to talk to plants and animals. I think maybe that's somthing better left in my head.

I'm not even half way through lunch when Mrs. Willow sneaks over to my table. "You got a 97 on your quiz this morning. Things can only go up from here."

I keep my eyes focused on the table. "Yeah. Well I can't take all the credit for that now can I?"

She smiles down at me. "You're a good boy. And good job with musical by the way. I heard your first song wednesday night."

"Thanks."

Musical is the one stable thing I have in my life right now. But even in rehearsal I've been struggling with my stage presence. Director moana says I'm falling flat and that I just need to conjure that same energy I had last year during 'The Lion King'. But how do I tell her I'm putting twice the work in with half the payoff?

This time I show up to tutoring ten minutes early red bull in hand. "Oh you're here early."

"I just needed to get away from the crowd, that's all." I stare through Victor afraid he might be trying to read my mind again.

He sets the worksheet assigned to us this morning out in front of me. "Rosa tells me you have a scholarship to stanford."

"Oh so you were talking about me." My face turns fifty shades of tomato.

"Uh well, I mean... she kinda has a crush on you dude."

Victor's face becomes flat and unreadable. "What? Do you not like her or somthing?"

"Honestly, no. Like shes hot, but not even remotely my type. Is that bad?" I laugh.

"No it's just that the one time she has a crush on a hot guy he doesnt even like her." We both go silent at my choice of words. Did I seriously just tell him he was hot? Stupid.

"Speaking of Rosa and Stanford, she tells me you used to want to go to a prestigious college. Though if I remember correctly you're more of a Princeton guy."

I feel myself frown unsure If my face actually portrays this feeling or if it's all in my head. "Well I mean, I did. But it is starting to look like I'll be lucky if I can get into college at all."

"Dude, she told me you were on the honor role every year since third grade. There's gotta be a reason that's changed."

I suddenly feel a little brave, and I'm unsure why but I decide to share things that I wouldn't even tell Rosa. "Honestly I have no idea what's happening to me. I feel like I'm losing control over my own mind and it's got me really freaked out. You take AP Psych right?"

"Yeah"

"What does it mean when birds start to talk?" He actually laughs at me, until he freezes noticing that I'm not amused.

"Oh shit yur serious..."

"Just forget I asked." I'm so angry at myself that I actually thought I could trust him. I pick up my worksheet and walk out the door.

"Wait! Jeremiah!"