#AtoZChallenge 2023 – Henry – This is Another Story

Please note this is fiction!

“Phones away,” Mr. Miller says in his usual dull monotonous voice.

Just as I’m doing that, the screen lights up, a text from Harriet, “😘🥰🤗” What in the world does it mean? I squeeze my phone to the point of almost crushing it. I love Harriet, she’s cool, but she’s got to stop texting me emojis. I can’t tell what the F they mean.

“Mr. Lewis,” Mr. Miller calls, startling me back to the real world. I suddenly realize I’m still bending down, putting my phone in my backpack.

I straighten up, “Sorry, Mr. Miller, what was your question?”

“Why, I didn’t ask anything, Mr. Lewis. I was simply calling attendance.”

As he moves on to the next names on his attendance sheet, I sigh and run my hand over my face a couple times, feeling flushed and embarrassed. Harriet, Harriet, Harriet, you’re killing me, you know that?

When Mr. Miller’s AP Biology class is finally over, I half-walk, half-run to my locker to switch textbooks. When I get there and open my locker, a note falls out. Instantly, I know it’s Harriet’s work. On the piece of paper is a couple sitting on a bench kissing. The words, “Meet me,” are written at the bottom of the paper in fancy lettering.

I swallow hard as the bell trills, signaling next class will begin in 5 minutes. I fold Harriet’s note and stick in a random page of my AP Calculus textbook while my stomach roils, and my brain keeps repeating. Oh boy…