THE NOTE

A white envelope fell to the floor when I opened my locker. I picked it up and read the printed words on the outside: "OPEN WHEN ALONE"

I looked up and down the crowded hallway, slipped the envelope into my pants pocket, and headed to first period. For fifty-five minutes the note steamed in my pocket. When the bell rang, I rushed out the back door and ripped it open. It said:

I read the note straight through three times, then folded it into a small wad and shoved it deep into my pocket.

In English class, as Detweiler questioned us about the symbolism in Kafka's "Metamorphosis," I fingered the note. I did a quick turnaround to glance at Sean. Did he send it? More likely Parker testing me. Wear that shirt and I was dead. I glanced at Eddie on the other side of the room. Could it be one of his tricks? Or worse. What if he was serious?

I glanced back toward Sean again. He was looking at me! I whipped my head around to face forward and sucked in a long breath.

The bell rang, and I moved slowly for the door, hoping Sean would catch up. Instead, Eddie fell into step. I tightened up. Parker shot me a look from the hallway. I pretended to be caught up in the crowd and disappeared around the corner. Eddie and I were on different paths now. I knew I was being mean to my old friend. It made me feel bad, like I was giving up part of myself.

When I got home that day, I pushed all the way to the back of my closet and hid the note in the pocket of a brown sport jacket I never wore. Then I took out my red jersey. Mom had just washed it.

I rubbed the back of my hand against its soft sleeve. If I wore the red side out on Friday, who would find me on the front steps?

When I woke the next morning I tried to get back that feeling of being a flyspeck under the stars, but it wouldn't come. I pulled on the gray side of my jersey. Never could wear the red side again. Even though it had been my favorite. It seemed as if there should be a little funeral for it like the one I had when Cecil the frog died.

I was already seated in English class when Sean walked in. Was he looking at me? No. Yes, I think so. Did his head drop a little? Was he let down that I had on a gray shirt?

Parker seemed oblivious to me, let alone my clothes. If he was testing me, wouldn't he have been more pleased that I had passed? Eddie was so busy talking to Chloe Scanlon, the girl with all the rings in her ears, he didn't even look my way. The mystery would never be solved.

I couldn't pay attention in any of my classes. I kept wondering if someone was watching me? Someone gravely disappointed because I, David Olav Dahlgren, was wearing a gray shirt. Who was it? It's not too late to find out, said a voice inside. I jerked up. Of course, it was. The clock said five minutes to three. The day was over. Sneak out of study lab, run to the lavatory, and reverse your shirt, the voice said. You can be on the steps in your red jersey when the bell rings.

My heart was pounding. Schmerdler, the lab supervisor, was on the other side of the room, working side by side with Jenny Melcher on her computer. I'd be out the door before she ever saw. Go! Go! the voice commanded. I carefully shut my book. Was I crazy? I slipped from my seat and sneaked out of the room. I raced to the bathroom, which was empty except for Sander Ogden taking a pee. I startled him and he jumped. Rumor had it he couldn't pee if anyone was nearby. The poor guy. He zipped up and skittered out the door. Someone more uncomfortable in his own skin than I was.

Adrenaline coursed through my veins. I ripped the jersey off, turned it inside out, and pulled it back on. I sprinted down the hallway and out the front door - driven by what, I did not know - to stand on the steps in my red jersey just as the shrill cry of the three o'clock bell sounded.