Twist by Roni Teson Page B

that’s fine. I’ll play good. I’m tired of sitting around the house anyway.
    â€œWhat about Physical Education?” Mr. Sars asks. “Any restrictions?”
    â€œNo contact sports,” Dad says.
    â€œCan I sign up for swimming?” I ask.
    Henry looks at his computer and taps on the keyboard. “You’ve been surfing since—”
    â€œThe accident,” Dad interrupts.
    â€œHe doesn’t want to call it a beating,” I say. “No surfing, but I’ve been swimming—a lot.”
    â€œWill, his physical therapist, got him into the pool,” Dad says. “They still work out together, sometimes. Does the school have a swim team?”
    Mr. Sars nods, but he’s busy on his computer. Then he hands me a map of the school and points to the lines he’s drawn—the routes to my classes. “I’ve written down the names of your teachers on this list, with each class. Talk to Coach Hammond, he’s in charge of the swim team and your P.E. teacher, fourth period.”
    Dad hands Mr. Sars a paper. “Here’s the doctor’s note.” Then Dad stands, so I stand, too. He hugs me and it feels awkward. “Have a good day,” he says.
    I’ve been such an ass to him, I feel bad. So as he’s leaving, I yell, “Kyle!”
    He turns and grins.
    â€œI’m good as gold,” I say, because I know he’s nervous. Funny, he’s crazy anxious and yet I have no emotions surrounding this place. So I poke fun at him and his smile brightens. “Daddy-o, it’s all going to be okay. Ain’t nothing but a day at school.”
    Even Henry Sars is snickering, hearing this.
    â€œGo!” I push him down the hall. “I’ve got this!”
    And then I realize Luke is coming home. He’s pushing Lou out and that is frightening. I shiver as I pick-up my map and my backpack and find my way to first period.
    When I open the door, the teacher’s in midsentence, so I wait for a second. He then waves at a vacant seat near the back and I sit down. The whole class is staring at me. I ignore them and focus on the teacher. But he can’t capture their attention. So he stops and says, “Lucas Drake, welcome back.” He motions to the class. “Now, eyes up front, please.”
    And the kids in the room abide.
    I run my hands across the desktop. It’s familiar. I halfway listen to some political-science stuff, but mostly I’m looking at the kids in the class, seeing if I recognize anyone. I’ve been an island for over three months, but it didn’t bother me until now. I want something to ring a bell.
    Funny, right when I’m thinking that, the bell rings.
    A guy comes up to me and pops my knuckles with his fist. “Dude, glad you’re back.”
    Another guy says, “How’s your head, Drake?”
    â€œBetter!” I yell, and a few kids laugh.
    As we file out of the classroom, a girl taps me on the arm. “I missed you, Luke.” She flips her long, stringy blonde hair from side to side. I get swept up in a crowd before I can even respond. But I hear her friend call her Erica. I think she’s cute.
    I walk into my next class and Simon’s waving at me. I sit down next to him. “Your mom and dad wouldn’t let me near you. I’ve been trying to talk to you for months.” He’s speaking so fast I stare at his face.
    He freezes. “What are you staring at?”
    â€œYou talk fast.”
    â€œCome on, Drake. Keep up. It’s what we’ve always done. Listen, I gotta tell you, some weird shit went down that day you took my car, and since.”
    â€œI took your car?”
    He scowls.
    â€œStart at the beginning. I don’t remember anything,” I say.
    He’s watching me speak and his eyes are glued to my mouth. I’m afraid to ask him why, because he’s staring so rudely. “Is something on my teeth?” I