Page 95 of I Can't Even Think Straight

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Apart from leaving school that one time at lunchtime,

what have we done to deserve being bad-mouthed?

I feel more embarrassed than before.

Mr. Ndour is out of order.

The Boys are waiting for me

halfway down the corridor.

“Mr. Ndour’s a dickhead,” I say loudly.

The Boys burst into surprised laughter,

and I feel a bit better.

Nathan pats my back.

Kwesi drapes an arm over my shoulder.

He keeps it there as we stalk the corridor

together, looking out for our next laugh.

Abdi says another mean thing about Mr. Ndour

and it’s like a bomb has gone off:

we’re a mess of flailing limbs,

our laughter bouncing off the walls.

“All of you, hurry up and get to class!”

shouts Mrs. James behind us.

Meet the Author—Lunchtime—The Library

The Author is selling and signing books

in the library at lunchtime,

but I feel too embarrassed to wait in line

in case he remembers me as one of the boys

Mr. Ndour pointed out as acting up.

The Author’s book is on display

with the other LGBTQ+ books.

Something about this makes me feel

uncomfortable on his behalf.

I spot Jyoti in line, so I ask her,

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