Adapt (I)

Scarlet

I don’t get to talk to Boe much for the rest of class, and I don’t get a chance before we all file to our next period. In Math, I allow the numbers to wash over me as I leap and bound in order to catch up. Luckily, we are just summarizing the unit before we move onto the next one, so I am able to get hands on with all of the formulas that I had missed. Eric sits next to me, taking on a golden retriever mentality. He asks me if I need any of his notes. Occasionally I do take up his offer, but quickly give him the notes back as I realize over again that his handwriting is 1:1 doctor’s and child’s scribble.

When the bell rings, everyone races out into the sunshine. I stay behind to ask Mr. Sid a few questions about calculous, and ask if there is any homework that he thinks might help me catch up. He gives me a few pieces of paper with problems on them. I thank him and head out the door.

Eric is just outside the door, waiting for me.

“Oh crap!” I nearly jump out of my skin. With everything that has been going on in my life, the last thing I need is to be startled. “Eric, you scared me half to death.”

“Oh, sorry Scar. I didn’t mean to.” He touches my elbow to comfort me.

I want to jerk at his touch, still rattled from being frightened, but I don’t want to offend him. “It’s okay. I’m just a little jumpy. I have been kind of going through it lately. My nerves aren’t faring well.” I say.

“With your Aunt being sick?” He asks as we start walking down the corridor.

I make a weak noise of agreement, clutching my books and papers closer to my chest.

Eric’s eyes are tight. “I have to say Scar, I don’t really buy it...”

I look up at him. “What do you mean?” I ask, trying to sound innocent.

“The whole ‘Boe is Trent’s nephew; long lost family in need’ thing. I’m sorry if I am off base, but something doesn’t seem right.”

I swallow. I knew that he hadn’t bought Boe’s story this morning, but I did hope that he would just drop it. Eric usually isn’t the one to pry.

“I don’t know what you are talking about.” I try to blow it off as a joke.

“Hmm.” We round the corner and weave our way through the people milling on the stair case. “Well, I’m just going to say that I don’t like you hanging out with him.”

I don’t have to ask to know that he means Boe. I let out an exasperated sigh. “Boe’s actually not that bad, Eric. You should give him a chance.”

“After what he tried with you at that party, no thanks.” Eric stops me in the hallway as people all make their way outside into the sunny day. “Scar, he is bad news.”

I almost laugh, but I hold it back. If Eric only knew... well, he would still think that Boe is bad news. He would think that I am too. “Eric, Boe didn’t do anything to me at the party.”

He looks at me, disbelief painted on his face. “Oh yeah. Then what got you so upset?”

I squirm for a second. “Honestly?” I start. “He said something about my parents - my birth parents - and it struck a nerve.” The best lies are woven with the truth.

“What did he say?” Eric asks, concerned.

I take a deep breath. “Nothing that wasn’t true. About them abandoning me.” I look down at my feet, amazed by my ability to lie to Eric without everyone watching.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Scar. He still shouldn’t have said that.” Eric steps closer to me.

I take another breath. “It’s okay. I was being petty, trying to get out of helping him and his mum.” And now I had successfully lied my way into a neat little circle, all of the unspoken answers inside of its perimeter.

Eric doesn’t get a chance to say anything else because Boe and Chandler burst through the doors of the Computer Room. They are laughing about something, talking in computer babble. When Boe spots me and sees the look on my face, he starts toward me. “Ranger!” He calls. I smile weakly at him. He comes to stand beside me, one arm draping protectively around my shoulders. I let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding, relieved to have some support. “Hey Eric. Are you joining us for lunch?” Boe asks.

Eric takes a step back from me, clearly feeling invaded by Boe’s proximity. He gives Boe a hard look but forces a smile. “Well, I usually sit with Caron and Scar. I’m sure we would love it if you sat with us.” He says, trying to reverse Boe’s offer, even though he knows damn well that it is complete horse-shit. Eric only sat with us on the occasion that he didn’t want to sit with the football boys.

I look up at Boe, who’s grin is only getting bigger, revealing one of the dimples in his cheeks. “Great!” He looks down at me. “Is it all good if Chandler sits with us too?”

I nod. It isn’t like Caron and I have a closed guest list for our lunch hour. With all of that decided, we head out to the school yard, where I spot Caron claiming one of the tables under the cotton woods. All four of us meet her. She looks taken back by the sheer number of us. She probably just expected Boe and I. She doesn’t question it though, and even purposefully sits next to Chandler, who seems like a fish out of water. Throughout the hour Caron has Chandler chatting about the apps he has developed. She even proposes an idea for one that involves clothing and how to piece your outfit together. Chandler doesn’t seem remotely interested in the concept itself but is eager in keeping Caron talking to him.

Meanwhile, Boe and Eric attempt conversation, which seems to only be making things worse.

“So, what Hospice did you move your Mom into?” Eric asks.

Boe chews and swallows the fork full of lettuce that he had picked from his salad bowl. Boe had made grilled chicken and salad for our lunches today. Caron had eaten three quarters and then put it away. I am still shifting the baby tomato around in the container, wary about taking the first bite. When Boe’s mouth is clear he says, “Saint V’s in the City.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that, man. If you don’t mind me asking, what does she have?”

“Cerebral Palsy.” Boe replies casually, like he had been asked a million times.

Caron reaches across the table and lays a hand on Boe’s. “I’m so sorry.”

I internally applaud Caron for being the best actor in the world.

He smiles at her, sadness in his eyes. “Thanks, but it’s all good. I see her almost every day, and now she is getting the care that she deserves.”

God, I am almost believing the lie.

Eric clears his throat. “So, if you are Trent’s nephew, and Trent adopted Scarlet, then you guys are like cousins.” He points a finger between Boe and I.

I nearly choke on my first bite of food. “No.” I say, coughing and spluttering. Boe seems amused at my response. I hurry to amend. “No, I am not related to anyone.”

“Well technique-” Eric starts.

“Eric, I don’t get much in life, but one thing that I have been able to do is pick my family.” I look at Boe, hoping that I don’t offend him by what I am about to say. “Boe is my friend, Trent is my family. Those are my lines and I get to choose where they are drawn.” I say, hoping that my tone stops any further conversation on this topic.

Boe seems pleased with my response, and I thank God that he isn’t offended. Eric, on the other hand, seems like he wants to push it further. Thankfully, he doesn’t.

“Well,” Chandler, says after a long moment of silence. “How about this weather, huh?”

Caron bursts out laughing, and I join her. Boe and Eric follow soon after, letting the laughter wash away the tension.