Chapter 6

I go into Chemistry and sit down, waiting for the class to start. I see Zach come in and he comes sit next to me. He is acting all weird for some reason. “What’s wrong?” I ask. “Look, did you hear what I said when you walked by this morning?” He asked. “I did, and I don’t care.” I replied back.   “How do you knot care when someone bullies you?” Zach Asked with a depressed look in his face. “I just don’t. I never have cared. I don’t care what people have to say about me.” I responded. “Yes you do. Everyone cares. That’s why my group does it. And other people.” He looked at me. “We will talk later when we do the project. Ok?” I asked. “Fine.” He sighed. “Ok class, please take your seats and settle down please.” Yelled Mr. King. “Now, about the project; there is 5 full week to do this project. You will be spending a lot of Personal time with your partner to finish this project because you wont have no time in class to finish except, the last day it is due, to finish up and tie up the lose ends. Now, you will be drawing from a box. What ever topic you draw, you will be doing that topic.” He starts walking around the room and letting people draw from the box. Couple minutes later he comes to our lab station. “One of you chose.” He demanded. I reach for the box and he knocks my hand out of the way. “I’m choosing nerd.” He laughed. I look at him and roll my eyes. He reaches inside the box and picks up a piece of paper. “What’s your topic?” Asked Mr. King. “Chemical and physical Changes.” Zach responded. “Good topic. Old but gold.” Mr. King smiled.  “What’s the topic actually about?” Asked Zach. “How things change in chemistry I guess.” I replied. He looks over at me and I know he is about to say something stupid. “You mean a nerd doesn’t know something?” He laughed.  “Shut up.” I demanded Mr. King walks back in front of the class room. “Ok, class calm down. Now about the rules of the project. You have to write a page essay exploring the project. Also what you think it actually means. But I recommend it to be more then a page. You’ll get extra credit for more pages of the essay. But no more then three pages because I don’t want to read all of them. So, no more then three pages. You will be providing your own materials. You can do it on anything you want. But please make it a little like science and or Chemistry.” Mr. King said. “Talk to your partners for the rest of class and discuss what you are going to do. But you only have five minutes left of class so maybe talk about that later.” He added. “Meet me at my car and we will go to the coffee shop after school.” I demanded. “How do I know what car is yours?” He asked. “That’s for you to figure out and for me to watch”. I smiled and looked away. “That is so not fair.” He responded. “Life is not fair. You have your ups and downs but you just have to enjoy it on the way up and on the way down.” I replied. “Ding, Ding, Ding” The bell ringed and I gather up my stuff and when I was about to ask Zach a question, he was already gone. I don’t understand why this kid leaves so fast. It is like he don’t want to be seen in this class or something. I go to my locker and drop my books off for lunch. “Hey boo, you ready?” Asked Carmen. “Yeah, let’s go get some food.” I smiled. “You have to tell me what goes on at the coffee shop later. Because I really want to know what happens just incase there is a fight.” Carmen Laughed. “There will be no fights Carmen.” I laughed and shake my head. “You know there will be Max. Like come on, you two hate each other, He bullies you, and he calls you a fag. And everything else. Obviously there will be a fight.” “Ok one, he never called me a fag, two, there will be no fights or he is going to do this stupid project by himself.” I responded. “Well, his group called you a fag. It is the same dang thing boy.” She pointed out. We gather our food and out it onto the tray and head for our table. “What the hell are they doing there?” Carmen asks. I look over and Zach and his group are sitting at our table. I walk over and ask, “This is our table, why are you sitting here? You belong over there” I pointed at their table. Everyone starts laughing at the table except Zach. “Well we are sitting here fag.” Laughed Gretchen. “Get up.” I demanded. Alyssa, Gretchen and Andrew stand up from the table and walk in front of us. “Grab your little prissy Carmen.” Shouted Alyssa. “Why are you even hanging out with him?” Asked Andrew. “Unlike you guys that are fake to each other, Max is actually my true best friend. This is our table now get up and find some where else to sit.” Carmen demanded. “Wow that is cold Carmen.” Responded Gretchen. “Yeah that is cold.” Alyssa agreed. They get up from the table and walk over on the other side of the cafeteria and sit down. I sit down at the table and start eating. “You stood up for me.” I smiled at Carmen. “You know I got your back baby.” She smiled back. “See what I mean when Zach doesn’t do anything?” I informed Carmen. “Yeah, but still he is too afraid to stand up for anyone because he doesn’t want to lose his popularity. And plus he was laughing.” She replied. We finish up eating lunch talking about the fault into our stars and how depressing but lovely the movie and book was. I finish up rest of my classes and the bell rings at the end of the school day.

 I head to my locker and grab my Chemistry book just in case I need it for the project and head to the parking lot. I look across the parking lot and see that he wasn’t by my car yet. I put my bag in the vehicle and stand by the car waiting for Zach. I wait a couple of minutes and still nothing. The cars start going out faster and faster. After half of the cars are gone, I finally see him coming. “Really, I did not see you being an old mustang type of guy.” He questioned. “It was my mom’s.” I responded. “What took you so long?” I added. “I thought it would be easier if half the cars were gone so I could actually see you.” He laughed. He got into the car and I walked around to get in also. I start up the car and drive off. “You know you didn’t have to lie. You should have said that you didn’t want to be seen with me. I would have understood.” I said.  “How’d you know I was lying?” He asked. “Because I know you.” I say while staring at the road. He looks out the window. I look over and he is still looking out the window. He is starting to freak me out. He is all depressed looking. We arrive at the coffee shop and park out front. He gets out of the car and hurries inside. Someone is in a hurry. I thought. I walk inside the coffee shop and see Zach sitting all the way in the back where no one can see through the window.  I sit down at the table and say, “You know something. If you don’t want to be here then don’t. Ok. Just don’t act like you don’t want to be around me because you are afraid someone would see you….I stop for a second then say, “So I am splitting the project in half. I’ll text you later what half you can have. Unless that is too much then you will figure the rest out by yourself.” I shout and grab my stuff. I get up from the table and walk back to my car. “Max, wait!” He shouted through the coffee shop. People turn around in their seats and stared. I soon became uncomfortable watching people stare. “Look, I’m sorry ok. I’ll try less to not be a dick. Just come back inside. I can’t do this alone. And you sure know that I can’t.” He gestured. I stare at him and look him into the eye.  “I know, that’s all I wanted to hear.” I smiled and walked back inside. “Really? God, you wonder why I hate you so much.” Zach said and rolled his eyes. I started to laugh. “Ok jock, first thing first is we find out how what Chemical and physical change is…..” I grab my text book and look up the definition. “Ok, so a chemical change is Chemical changes that take place on the molecular level. A chemical change produces new substance.” I then begin to read off the definition of Physical change and I look through the side of my eye and see that Zach is staring at me all weird. Like he is drooling over someone. “Ok, what are you looking at?” I asked dramatically. “What? Nothing.” He said and acted all innocent. “Well pay attention; I’m not doing this all by myself. Ok, so what I was saying a physical change is concerned with energy and states of matter. But does not produce and new substance.” I see Zach get up and immediately I ask, “Where are you going?” “I’ll be back.” He replied. He goes up to the cash register and buys two drinks and I can’t tell what they are. He brings over the two drinks to the table. “Double chocolate chip frappe for you.” He smiles. I look at him strangely. What is he up to? I asked myself. “How do you know what drink I like? I could totally hate this drink.” I replied. “You hate it?” He raised an eyebrow. “No, I totally love these.” I say and reach for the cup. I begin to drink and Zach says,

“I know.” While smiling, “You’re being totally beyond creepy because you know these things.” I say and then keep drinking. “I know more then you think, Maxwell Dean Carters.” Zach says and started to laugh.

“How do you know my full name?” I asked in anguish. “Something for you to find out Maxwell.” He started to laugh again. “Ok, first of all don’t call me that. Second, please shut up before I punch you in your fucking face.” I smiled. “You are scarier then you actually look.” He winked and started to look through the text book. “Ok, so what do you want to do for the project?” I asked. “Can we take a break for a minute from the project?” Zach asked. Hasn’t he had enough brakes? I asked myself. “Fine.” I push the books aside and I lean back in the booth. “Where are you going to college?” He asked. Is he really trying to make a conversation? I wondered. “I honestly don’t know where. Also I have no idea what I want to go for.” I replied. “What about you?” I asked. “I’m going to North Carolina and I’m going for nothing yet. I just don’t know yet.” He frowned. “You got accepted in a good college but you don’t know what you want to do?” I laughed. “What’s so funny?” He got mad and looked at me in the eye. We stair at each other and I felt myself leaning forward. I can’t do this. If I kiss him, my life will be over. “Um….. Nothing let’s get back to the project.” I said awkwardly. I look at the clock and the time says 5:25. “I got to get going soon.” I said in a hurry. I gather up my text book and our notes. “Why?” Zach asked confused. “Long story, nothing I want to talk about so don’t ask.”  I responded back anxiously. I gather the rest of my stuff and head to my car. “Max wait!” He shouted while grabbing his stuff. “Can you give me a ride home?” He asked. “Fine get in.” He gets in and we drive off. “I just live…” He started to say and I interrupted. “I know where you live so don’t finish that sentence.” I applied. “How do you know where I live?” He asked. “Long story; ask your mom if she wants to tell you.” “Ew! You slept with my mom?” He yelled in disgust. “What? No. God no.” I replied back even more disgusted. “Oh…..” He says and started laughing. “So how do you know where I live?” He asked once again. “I told you, ask your mom.” I responded. We pull up to his house and I push the gear in park. “You should be proud of yourself Jock.” I smiled. “Whys that?” He asked. “Because you actually was talking to me in public.” I responded. “Don’t get used to it nerd.” He smiled back and got out of the car. I pull out of the drive way and head home. I still feel awkward of what about happened. He is straight. And if I kissed him, my life would have been totally over. Even at school. Why is my life such and Hormonal, emotional and crazy roller coaster. I thought. I got home and parked the car in the driveway and see dad was still here. This is not a good sign. I walk inside and yelled for him. “Dad?” I shouted. No answer. I walk through the living room, kitchen, garage, outback and the bathroom. Still nothing. I head upstairs to see if he was up here. He hasn’t been up here since mom died. I’m pretty sure he isn’t up here. The first place I go is their room. I open the door and see dad lying on the floor passed out. “Dad? Dad! Wake up! Come on!?” I keep shouting. I check for his pulse and see that he is still breathing. I grab my phone out of my back pocket and called 911.After the ambulance show, I call Cassie’s friends house and tell them to not tell her because she really wanted to hangout with her friends the weekend. And if she knew she would want to come home.

I head straight to the hospital. He probably got too drunk. I get stuck in traffic on the way to Charleston. It’s only 30 minutes to Charleston. Now it’s going to take an hour.

I just can’t seem to get what about happened at the coffee shop out of my head. Why was he staring at me? And then I about kissed him? It’s so crazy! The traffic finally starts moving and I drive to the hospital. “Hi, what room is David Carters in?” I ask the receptionist. “Who are you?’ She asked while chewing her gum extremely loud. “I’m his son. Now tell me where he is!” I demanded. “Don’t get smart with me child.” She smacked even louder. “Will you just tell me what room he is in?” I yelled. “Fine. Just don’t yell.” She started typing his name in the computer. “He is in room 121. Once you get into the doors, turn to the right and head straight down the hall until you find room 121.” She pressed the buzzer and the doors open. I head through the doors then turn to the right. I walk a little ways and finally make it to room 121. I open the door and see the doctors in the room. “Is everything ok?” I asked. “Who are you?” One of the doctors asked. “I’m Max carters.” I responded. “Oh you are his son. Ok, well your father was extremely drunk. More then he actually should have drunk tonight. So we are going to keep him over night until tomorrow so he don’t go out and drink more. Because by his records, I can see he is an extreme alcoholic.” The other doctor said. “Records? What does the record show?” I ask. “Sorry but those are confidential son”. The one doctor responded. “Doctor Floyd and Doctor Connors please come to the ICU, Doctor Floyd and Doctors Connors please come to the ICU.” The intercom announced.  They rush out of the room and left the paper work and the computer opened. I look out the door and see if they are far gone. And I see them running from a distance. I shut the door and shut the curtain immediately. I look through the paper work and it only reads what happened earlier. I lay the papers back in its original spot and look at the computer. The records date back to when before mom died. Before I got to click anything, I hear the door open. I hurry and jump next to my dad before they walked in. “Sorry, I forgot the paper work.” Doctor Floyd said. He grabbed the papers and locked the computer. I sit in the chair next to my dad’s bed. I sighed.  I waited for hours until he finally wakes up. “What are you doing here? He asked. “You passed out in your bedroom I called 911.” I replied.  “GET OUT!” He yelled. “GET OUT, GET OUT, GET OUT!” He yelled again. The nurse comes in and tells me to leave. I grab my stuff and walk out of the hospital. I don’t understand him. He is like a bipolar coward. Even though he is my father, he needs to change. If I wasn’t there he could have died from alcohol posing.  When I get to my car I see Zach standing there. Why is he here? I wondered. “What are you doing here?” I asked. “My mom told me what happened.” He responded. “How does she know what happened?” I asked nervously. “She’s under the emergency contact for him.” He responded. That’s is sort of weird. I said in my head. “I have to go. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I open my door and got in. “If you need anything I’m here you know.” Zach points out. “You out of all people actually care about me? Please.” I say and pull out of the parking spot. I drive off and look in my mirror and see Zach Standing there looking at me drive off. Something is up with him and its freaking me out. When I got home I decided to stay home tomorrow instead of going to school. I took a shower and just laid my head down on my pillow and stared at the wall.