Chapter 23

        I hadn't paid much attention at all in math, or science, or social studies. I was too busy thinking about Grandfather and Joshua. 

        Grandfather, whom was worrying me like crazy, and Joshua, whom was making me feel...things I've never felt before. Both were irritating me. 

        Everyone was still acting very strange: not talking a whole lot. It was confusing me. What was going on?

        “I know what's going on.” Talk about good timing, Joshua.

        I stopped walking and looked in his general direction at where I thought his face was.

        “Everyone is so quiet because-”

        “I'm so done with this!” A girl I'd never heard before screamed. It could have very well been a guy, but I was leaning the opposite way. 

        Everyone got quiet, though. Quieter then they were.

        “I didn't have “do it” with Ricky! Will everyone stop spreading rumors please?” Definitely a girl. Drama, drama, drama. 

        Okay. Now I knew why everyone was so quiet. “Doing it” at age fourteen wasn't exactly looked on kindly. There was an eruption of noise. “She so did! She's such a liar!”, “Do you think she's telling the truth?”,“I think the whole situation is stupid.”, “Ricky said they did.”

        “I know that's what Ricky said,” She was still shouting. “but it's not true. I didn't do it! Ricky did it with Tina and they're lying about it because he likes her now!” She continued to ramble, but I really could've cared less, so I walked away. Joshua followed me.

        “So...that's why everyone was whispering.” Joshua laughed. 

        “Yeah, “doing it” is really something to talk about, huh?”

        He laughed again. “Anyway, that's all I wanted to, uh, say. See you tomorrow.”

        “Okay, see you tomorrow.” I walked away.

        “Izzy?” Someone called. “Izzy!” I stopped.

        “You believe me right?” The girl asked.

        “Um...sure, but can I ask who you are?” 

        “Oh! Oh, sorry...blind, right.” I heard a smacking sound. Hitting her head maybe? “My name is Sarah. I was the girl screaming...back there.”

        Oh, no. Back away slowly, she won't notice. Too much drama for you. “Oh, um, yeah. I believe you, but I actually have to-”

        “You don't believe me. I wouldn't either. I mean, drama queen, right?” She laughed. “Yeah...no, I'm not usually that dramatic. I just...it just made me mad, you know? It's like, a guy tells you he like you, so you kiss him, and then everyone freaks out!”

        “I've actually, uh, never kissed a guy.” I added.

        “I'm speaking metaphorically, anyway-wait...you've never kissed a guy?”

        “Uh...no?”

        She laughed. “Are you serious?”

        “Yes, I'm serious.”

        “No...you can't be.” She was serious now, obviously trying to save me my pride. “Oh my gosh, you are! You're serious.”  

        “Yeah.”

        “Can I let you in on a secret?” She said. 

        I nodded.

        “To be honest, Ricky was my first kiss. Then he told everyone we did more then that. I don't regret kissing him...I just wish he'd have been nicer about the whole thing.” 

        “Nicer?”

        “Right after he kissed he was all “I like Tina.” like, who does that, you know?”

        “I know.” In fact, I didn't know. 

        “So anyway,” She continued. “I was mad at him. Then I felt bad for being mad, that's just how I am, and I went over to his house to apologize. That's when I caught him and Tina...you know, doing it. It was gross. His parents weren't home, either.”

        Well, I would assume. “Then what happened?” To be honest, even though I rather wouldn't be talking about this particular subject, I liked listening to her talk, and this was all I knew about her. Plus, she never stopped talking so there was never any silence. It was nice.

        “I walked out. I texted Tina and called her every bad name I could think of, so her and Ricky started the rumor about him doing me. I didn't appreciate it. I respect myself very much.”

        “That's always a good thing.” I said.

        “Definately.” She agreed. “Hey, I'm going to be late for class. I'll see you around.”

        “Yeah...well, I'll hear you around.” Oh my gosh, cheesiest blind joke ever.

        She laughed. “Your kind of funny. Bye, Izzy!”

        Goodbye Sarah. I Hope I'll be seeing you. I didn't say it though. I was still shocked that I might actually have a friend.