On Monday morning, Cameron was sitting in Mr. Craig’s 3rd-period chemistry class just across the hall from his brother’s room when he saw an opportunity. The class clown, Josh Hammond said, “Earth to Mr. Craig. Earth to Mr. Craig!”
Their teacher had been staring at the board for nearly three minutes. After the first minute, kids started pointing and snickering. After two, some started mocking. When he heard his name, Mr. Craig spun around and said, “What’s with all the goofing off?”
Everyone burst out laughing and when Josh told him what had happened Craig said, “Nonsense! I was just deciding what to do next. Which is…oh, yes! Convent bonding. Who knows what that means?”
Josh blurted out, “That’s when the nuns and priests get it on, right?” Everyone roared again.
Cameron said politely, “I think you mean ‘covalent’ bonding, Mr. Craig. He turned toward Cameron and said gruffly, “That’s what I said, young man.” Then under his breath he said, “These kids get dumber every year.”
This was the last day to add or drop classes and as the bell started ringing, Cameron realized this gave him the perfect excuse to talk to Erin at school. He bolted out of the door and sprinted up to guidance. When he arrived at Erin’s office, he took a deep breath, knocked, and stuck his head in. “Hey, Ms. Kimball. Do you have a minute?”
She looked up and said, “Oh, Cameron. Hi there. Um, sure. I don’t normally see students without an appointment, but I can make an exception. Come in and have a seat, please.”
He closed the door and sat down in front of her. “So what’s going on?” she asked him.
“It’s Mr. Craig. I gotta get out of that class,” he told her as he put his schedule on her desk.
“Cameron, you have no idea how many other students ask me to do this every year. I just can’t. It’s not…”
“Yes…you can. And you will because it’s for me.” He smiled at her and she felt her stomach flip flop. Cameron then shared the most recent episodes with her and she tried not to laugh.
“I really do understand, Cameron. Trust me. I do. But I can’t do this for you just because I think you’re…” Erin stopped mid-sentence and shuffled some papers around on her desk and said, “Now where did I put that pen?” Both she and Cameron knew she wasn’t looking for a pen or anything else for that matter.
“Erin?” he said forcing her to stop moving things around.
“Cameron, calling me by my first name is a privilege reserved for times when we’re alone,” she said trying to regain control.
“Erin, we are alone. And I didn’t come here just because I want to switch classes. That was only an excuse. I do want you to move me, but that’s not the main reason I stopped by.” He stood up and moved to the side of the desk, just a foot or so away from her. “I do want you to sign my request to change classes, but you and I both know there’s something going on between us.”
Erin started lifting up papers again and said, “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Cameron. There’s nothing going on. I don’t where this is coming from, but I can assure you it’s all in your head. Now where is that pen?”