Hooky

Sixth grade lunch was always the same on Thursdays. Mrs. Reynolds would deliver the line of anxious students to Mr. Desmond, for it was his duty as principal to control the lunchroom. Mr. Desmond would stand at the door looking like a prison guard, back perfectly straight and arms crossed before his chest. He would be wearing the same old three-piece black suit that went well with his coal-black hair and dark, bushy eyebrows. He would also be wearing a stern face because of yesterday's noisy lunch.

'All right! First five in! Table #1!'

The first five students entered the cafeteria.

'You know,' Mr. Desmond barked, 'I have had it with these noisy lunches! Today you have assigned seats and no talking! These noisy lunches are going to stop. Next five in, table #2!'

And so it went each week: Wednesday, noisy lunch with Mr. Desmond. Thursday: Silent lunch with assigned seats with Mr. Desmond.

And each Thursday was the same for Mr. Desmond. Let five students into the cafeteria, lecture the rest of the line. Let in another five, lecture the line. Mr. Desmond was always so angry! Jay often wondered why he kept the job of principal. He'd be a lot happier as a custodian. Custodians didn't have to worry about loud lunches.

But today Jay paid little attention to Mr. Desmond. He was too busy counting the heads in front of him. Would he be sitting at the same table as Cynthia Brown? She was two people in front of him. Maybe...if this was his lucky day...

'Next five in- table #3!' The line advanced. It stopped at Cynthia Brown. They were at the same table! 'I would think,' lectured Mr. Desmond, 'that after two months of school you people would know what's expected of you at lunch!'

Jay ran a comb through his hair. He tucked his shirt in neatly and stood tall. He blew his nose.

'All right. Next five in- table #4.'

Cynthia Brown led the little procession into the kitchen. As Jay loaded his tray, he thought about the lunchroom tables. They were round and sat five. Since he would be third to the table, he could choose whether to sit next to or across from Cynthia Brown. If he sat next to her, maybe he would be brave enough to talk to her (quietly, of course, after all, it was silent lunch). But it would be hard to look at her if he was beside her...

When Jay arrived at the table, he sat across from Cynthia Brown. Annie sat on one side of her. Next to the table was Leon, who sat next to Jay. Finally, Adam came and sat down. He'd been fuming all morning in class and refused to talk when Mrs. Reynolds asked him questions.

Now that their table was complete, Mr. Desmond shouted, 'All right, next five. Table #5. Come on, move it!'

Jay picked up his roll, thought for a moment (is it polite to make a spaghetti sandwich with a girl at your table?), and took a bite. He sat up straight and chewed with his mouth shut. He wiped his face with his napkin. He was careful to not slurp his milk.

For an instant his eyes met Cynthia Brown's. What was she thinking? Did she think he was good-looking? Polite? Strong?

'I know who you like,' Annie suddenly whispered to him.

'What?' asked Jay.

'I said I know who you like.' Annie turned and made a gesture toward Cynthia Brown, who (thank heavens!) did not notice. Had Jay really been that obvious staring last night? Adam caught on to what was happening.

'Hey Crockett, do you like...'

'Do I hear noise at table #4?' Mr. Desmond boomed. Ten frightened eyes met his. 'If there's another sound from that table you'll all be after school tomorrow. And that's no way to start a weekend!'

Table #4 relaxed.

'It wouldn't matter to two people at this table anyway,' whispered Annie sarcastically.

'Oh yeah?' said Adam. 'I'm not going to be here after school tomorrow anyway.'

'You have to,' said Annie. 'Mrs. Reynolds said so.'

'That's tough for Mrs. Reynolds. I'm not going to be here tomorrow. So what's she going to do?'

'What do you mean?' asked Annie.

'I'm not coming to school, stupid. I'm going to skip- you know, play hooky.'

Jay saw Cynthia Brown look up at Adam in a curious, almost admiring way.

'You'd really skip school?' she asked softly.

'Why not?' asked Adam, in a matter-of-fact voice. 'I've skipped before. It's no big deal.'

Cynthia Brown's beautiful blue eyes opened widely and she smiled. Jay couldn't believe it- she never looked at him like that! Did she like Adam just because he'd skip school? Maybe she liked guys that were...brave...adventurous...

'I'd skip school,' said Jay suddenly. 'Like Adam says, it's no big thing.'

Cynthia Brown's gentle eyes came to him now. 'Really?' she asked.

'You would not!' Adam burst in. 'You're all talk!'

'Just trying to impress someone,' Annie added dryly.

'I would so skip.'

Leon looked over at Jay with surprise. 'You would?'

'Of course.'

'Then skip tomorrow,' dared Adam. 'We won't have to stay after school. Come over my house and we'll watch some TV, play some video games, then go out to eat.'

Jay had to think of a way out- fast! But Cynthia Brown's beautiful, admiring face made it hard to concentrate. 'Are you really going to, Jay?'

She called him by his name! She actually spoke to him! She liked him!

Jay returned her smile. 'Sure I am.'