“Do you want to look at the instructions?” I said, tilting the iPad to Avery.
“Not really,” she said. “I hate getting up in front of the class.”
I flinched.
“Ooh.” She wiggled her fingers. “I said the H-word at RJE. Calm down, dude. It’s not like I shouted it across the cafeteria.”
We were back in Room 208. I was in Melissa’s seat across from Avery. After Red’s episode, Mr. Acevedo decided to have the rest of class inside. Back in the room, he explained that he’d be holding conferences while we worked on our persuasive pieces and prepared for the presentations.
“They’re not for another two weeks,” I said. “And we only have to be in front of the class for a few minutes.”
“I don’t care if it’s for a few seconds. It’s getting up in front of the class. I hate getting up in front of the friggin’ class.”
“I’m beginning to sense that.” I slid over a blank notecard and started darkening a corner. “I’ll do the writing assignment, Avery,” I said without looking up.
“Huh?”
“The persuasive essay. I’ll do it.” I still didn’t look up. “It’s an olive branch.”
“A what?”
Even though I couldn’t see her face, I knew she was curling her lip.
“It’s an olive branch,” I said again.
“Whatever, dude.”