They Changed My Life, chapter 4

Even though everyone was still looking at me, I felt a weird vibe coming from the corner of the room. I looked where the teacher had pointed, and I found myself staring into the vibrant green eyes of the guy I had head-banged this morning. A light of recognition was in his eyes, and he smiled. I could feel my heart flutter a little as I moved to the only empty seat in the room, which was next to him. I put my junk under my desk and sat down. I was somewhat listening to the teacher because this was my worst subject, but I was distracted by the guy that was sitting next to me. I could see him keep looking at me out of the corner of my eye. When I finally looked at him, he turned a light shade of pink and smiled.
"So you're Estelle MacDermott from the Middle-Of-Nowhere, VA-eh? Well, I'm Billie Joe to everyone except this dude," and gestured towards the teacher. "He enjoys calling people by their last names. God only knows why."
I smiled and asked, "So Mr. Armstrong-do you enjoy this subject called math?" It was lame, I know, but I hadn't talked to a guy I was interested in for awhile...
Billie Joe looked at me incredulously. "You're kidding-right? Math's not really my thing. At least he doesn't bang on my desk when I fall asleep anymore. Hey-let me see your schedule."
I passed it over, ignoring the glares being thrown at us by the teacher.
"Well, this is the only class we have together...but-hey! We've got lunch at the same time! Considering you don't really know anyone else here, do you want to sit with me and my friends at lunch?"
"Should I be afraid? How do I know that you and your buddies won't sedate me and have your way with me behind a trash can?" (Did I just say that? Even after what happened to me?...)
"You don't!" he countered, grinning. "I'm glad you're in this class. Usually all there is to do is sleep. Now-I don't have anything against sleep, but people need variety in their life-ya know?"
"Sure," I answered, laughing.
We sat most of the period just discussing the school. He told me some kids and teachers to watch out for, but he couldn't really help me with the teachers I actually had.
"You're in too many smart classes. Advanced English and Science...journalism -do you like writing or something?"
"It's definitely one of my passions," I said. "Writing helps me vent."
Billie Joe raised his eyebrows, "Ooooo-deep."
The teacher then started to yell at us for "disrupting class." We both chose to stay quiet for a little bit, but every once in awhile we'd look over at each other and snigger. Billie Joe put his head down on his desk, and less than a minute later, he was snoring peacefully. I wasn't sure if he was actually asleep or not, but when I poked him with a pencil, and said his name softly, he didn't stir. Smiling to myself, I started on the classwork. I finished quickly, and the bell rang. I stood up and pushed Billie Joe. He jumped up, bleary-eyed.
"Good morning, Sunshine," I laughed.
He smiled a lopsided grin at me. "How long have I been out? Ah-never mind. It doesn't matter; let's just get out of here."
We walked out of the classroom, and I could feel the glare of a ticked-off math teacher. Yet again, I ignored it, and Billie Joe and I attempted to step out of the classroom, but did not succeed in doing so.