Page 119 of I Can't Even Think Straight

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MATT:And then Kojo looked down at the ground and just walked out, with Nathan shouting behind him, “That’s right! That’s what I thought! Keep walking!”

Thursday: Additional Support—Lunchtime—Mr. Ndour’s Classroom

The door is open when I arrive,

and Ms. Sarpong waits with him.

I’ve spent the entire morning worrying

since my form tutor told me in morning registration

I had to come to Mr. Ndour’s classroom at lunchtime.

“Come in, Malachi,” says Mr. Ndour,

“and have a seat.” He points

to a plastic school chair

directly in front of his desk.

He sits in his cushioned swivel chair.

I notice how he now has

a Progress Pride flag badge

pinned to his staff lanyard.

Ms. Sarpong doesn’t speak.

She’s seated to the left of Mr. Ndour’s desk

in a regular chair like mine

but, somehow, she seems to be

the one in the driver’s seat,

like Mr. Ndour is her puppet

or ventriloquist’s dummy.

“How are you doing today?” Mr. Ndour asks me.

I feel like this is a trick question

and I don’t know what to say.

“The reason I ask,” he continues,

“is because I’m aware there’s been some

division amongst your friendship group.”

I feel instantly hot with anger

and the words jump out of me:

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