The Boy I Bothered to Love

COME TO MY HOUSE

Theo followed Finn back to class. Finn sat down, and Theo took the desk next to him. Mr. Chen came in. “New project. Work with your deskmate. No changing. Due Friday. It’s 30% of your grade.” The project was: Community Service Proposal. Pick a local problem and make a plan to fix it. Finn looked at Theo, who was already smiling at him. “Looks like you’re stuck with me, Class Rep,” Theo said. “Don’t start,” Finn replied. Mr. Chen began explaining the rules. Under the desk, Theo whispered, “So you’ll do the writing. My hand hurts.” “Your hand is fine,” Finn whispered back. “Stop lying.” “Doctor said no stress,” Theo said. “Writing is stress.” “You don’t even have a doctor,” Finn said, his voice getting louder. “Keep your voice down, Kelly,” Theo warned. “You’ll get us in trouble.” “You’re the one—” Finn began. Mr. Chen stopped speaking and looked at their desk. “Mr. Kelly, Mr. Laurent. Is there a problem?” The class went quiet. “No, sir,” Finn replied quickly. “Then shut up and listen,” Mr. Chen said. “Both of you. My office after class if I hear one more word.” Finn looked down at his desk, feeling embarrassed. After the bell rang, Finn said, “We need to work. Tomorrow is a holiday. Meet me at Corner Cafe at 2 p.m. I’ll bring my laptop.” Theo shook his head and held up his bandaged hand. “Can’t. My hand hurts. I can’t drive.” “Take a taxi,” Finn suggested. “Taxis make me sick,” Theo replied. “Also, you should come to my house. I have a computer, and I have a printer. Everything is there. It’s easy for you to type. My hand… I can’t write.” He said it like he was helping Finn. “You just don’t want to work,” Finn pointed out. “Correct,” Theo admitted. “But you want to pass. So you come to my house.” He handed Finn a card: Laurent Estate, 14 Hillside Drive. “Be there at 1 p.m.,” Theo said. “The printer is very fast. And the chair is soft. You’ll like it.” Theo walked away. Finn stared at the card. Theo was lying about his hand, lying about the taxis, lying about everything. But Finn still had to go to Theo’s house alone tomorrow. It was the worst idea ever.