Part 27 (2/2)
”Not sure. Haden said he has something planned but won't tell me what. How 'bout you?”
”I'm taking Bailey out tomorrow.”
”Did you ask her to prom, yet?”
Joey stops writing notes in his spiral and looks at me with a strange smirk.
”She's my girlfriend, of course she's going with me.”
”So you asked her already?”
”Why do I need to ask her?”
I lean forward and throw my arms on the table so I can bury my head, but then look up at him and shake my head in disbelief.
”Joey Parker the third, please tell me you are joking!”
”What? Am I supposed to ask her?”
I turn in my seat to face him and grab his shoulders so I can drive home my point. ”Yes. You are supposed to ask her, you can't just a.s.sume anything. For all she knows, you don't want to go, so what happens when someone hot like Galen Erikson asks her-she's not sure you want to go. What if she accepts?”
His face grows pale as my words sink in and he starts to pack up his things. ”I gotta go,” he announces, zipping up his bag and tossing the last of his soda into the trashcan. ”I'll call you later tonight to see what progress you made.”
”Don't worry about me.” I wave as he leaves my kitchen.
”Later, Mrs. Nixon,” he says to Mom before shutting the door.
”Bye,” she says slowly and then walks into the room and looks at me. ”What was that about?”
”He still hasn't asked Bailey to the prom.”
”Are you serious? It's only six weeks away. Does he not want to go with her?”
”He's a guy, Mom, he just a.s.sumed that she was going with him.”
She laughs and sets her things on the counter before turning to face me. I know what's coming up, but I'm going to let her do the talking.
”When are we going shopping for your dress? How about after your meet on Sat.u.r.day?”
”I have a date with Haden,” I answer.
”Any plans for after school tomorrow?”
”Depends on what you have planned.”
”All right, tomorrow after school, I'll pick you up so we can shop.”
”Quick and painless, okay? I don't want to try on more than, like, five dresses,” I warn. I loathe trying on clothes.
”Then it's a date.” She winks and heads upstairs.
Last night, I stayed up until almost midnight finis.h.i.+ng my half of the government project. I had already finished my research before Joey came over yesterday, but organizing everything to make a strong argument proved to be tough. Normally, I like to run my papers by my parents, but they were already asleep when I finished so I guess we'll see how it goes today.
”He asked me.” Bailey runs to my locker and leans against it. ”I have a date to prom.”
”Who?” I question and she c.o.c.ks her head to the side and looks straight-faced.
”Who do you think?”
”I really hope you say Joey,” I scoff.
”Of course,” she says. ”Are you ready for your presentation?”
”Not at all,” I laugh and pull the necessary items from my locker before shutting it. ”But here I go anyway.”
”Good luck.” She pats my arm and walks off.
Mr. Tredway steps aside and allows Joey and I to set up for our debate as our cla.s.smates file in. I know the basis of Joey's argument because it's much like my own personal feelings, so I researched everything that contradicts my opinion-I just hope it works. This debate counts for twenty-five percent of our grade.
”I heard you finally asked her,” I say to Joey and watch him swallow hard from embarra.s.sment.
”Yeah, I had no idea she'd been waiting. I'm glad you said something because I'm pretty sure she was asked by a couple of guys, but she didn't come right out and say so.”
”I'm just glad you actually listened to me, because we both know how much you hate being wrong,” I laugh.
The bell rings and the teacher takes a seat at Joey's desk and signals for us to begin.
We worked on the introduction together and have our lines to deliver but soon we begin the debate. Each of us takes turns presenting our side of the argument. Since Joey is in opposition of a.s.sisted suicides, he goes first, providing a compelling argument against-stating that it's immoral and that it equates to murder and that misinformation leads people to make decisions that have a lasting effect.
He finishes his debate and the cla.s.s applauds his argument until I begin to speak.
I start my defense of a.s.sisted suicide by listing statistics and places where the option is available to people. I point out that many support the ability to choose ending one's life because they feel it gives them the opportunity to die with dignity. As I continue stating more information and statistics about a.s.sisted suicide, I can tell that Joey is impressed with what I have come up with.
I conclude with a solid defense of a.s.sisted suicide and feel as if I've won my debate. I did what the a.s.signment required, and for that I'm pleased.
Mr. Tredway stands up and walks to the front of the room to ask the cla.s.s if there are any questions. One of the more popular girls in school, Fallon, raises her hand and the portly teacher calls on her.
”Have you ever considered a.s.sisted suicide?” she asks of me with a smirk. The cla.s.s tries to hide their laughter, but they fail.
”That's enough, Fallon-”
”That's okay, Mr. Tredway, I'd like to answer that question. No. I have never considered a.s.sisted suicide. While I don't personally believe it as an option that should be available, there are places all over the world where it is allowed-even here in the United States. I mean, how would you like it if someone told you that you weren't allowed to get that nose job you tell everyone you want? Personally, I'd like to see you able to get a personality change, but that's just my opinion.” I finish and flash a fake smile at her.
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