Bulletproof Heart

Gerard's POV

"Yes! Very good Gerard. I was hoping someone would mention those, but I would have otherwise," said Mrs. Kelly surprising me completely. A wave of relief washed over me. "There are countless books like this now. Now compare these types of books to other contemporary re-makes and re-tellings. Does anyone know what makes these unique?" Mikey turned to looked back at me again with a small smile, then pushed up his glasses.

"I'll give you a hint," explained the teacher after a long silence. "It has to do with the words."

I decided to take a stab, feeling uncharacteristically brave after my first success. If I made a complete idiot of myself, at least I had 6 weeks off school after this. I already felt like an idiot anyway.

"They used the original text, then added to it. So when you read it, you're reading a changed version of the original. But there are pieces of the original still there. As opposed to someone else's idea of what the original could be created into. Like if it were a painting, you could try to re-paint the Mona Lisa. It might even be a great copy if you're a great artist. But if you actually painted over half of the Mona Lisa, which would be a terrible idea and a crime, (People actually laughed at my joke! I wasn't even trying to be that funny either. I was just nervous and kind of rambling.) then you would have 2 halves of something coming together. Maybe its wonderful, maybe its terrible, but its not just a re-creation of the original."

But Mrs. Kelly's face broke into a grin and nodded. I got a lot more students turning around and looking at me again. A few were actually smiling, a couple had looks that I hope meant they were impressed with what I said. I really couldn't tell. Mikey wasn't turned all the way around this time but I could see his profile. He had a definite look of pride on his face. How did I sound so smart all of the sudden?

"Exactly." I let out a sign of relief that was way louder than intended. Mrs. Kelly smiled. "And that illustration was spot on."

"I don't know if this applies or not, but there is something else I loved about these books. Well, the two I've read so far. "I couldn't seem to stop myself! What was I doing? Was I just going to keep talking until I said something that was stupid or wrong? "Things that really make 'em different to me." I was on a roll though. If I give a wrong answer now, it won't look so bad against two right ones. "I'm not sure how to say it exactly, and i don't know. Maybe I'm being a little unfair to some of the movies since I haven't seen all of them. But it seems like even the ones that changed the stories ended up being the same old thing in the end. Like, whats the word..."

"Formulaic?" Mikey suggested. Bless you Mikey Way. I love you so much. In a purely brotherly way.

"Yes!" I answered. "Maybe it was a little different but it still seemed so similar. But add something like Zombies and its saying something very new. Even if you hate it, you've gotta admit its a fresh idea."

"You're right. And thanks for adding that to the discussion. Its an angle I hadn't thought of." Mrs. Kelly praised. I blushed but broke into a grin. Was she just saying that to make me feel better? Its almost as if my brain and mouth are working without me. This is going too well to last. Will this class just end already?

Brrriiiing

The bell sounded, signalling our freedom. Thank God! Now I think I understand the phrase 'Saved by the bell'. Its for idiots who can't stop answering in class when their whore of an ex-girlfriend is sitting in the front row just waiting for you to say something completely stupid.

"Have a wonderful summer!!! Try to read for fun." Mrs. Kelly calls out as the students stampede toward the door.

I took my time, waiting for everyone to leave the classroom, by putting my books in my backpack as slow as possible. Mikey knew I would be dodging any possible chance of running into Lyn-Z so he would be waiting for me at my locker. But she didn't so much as look in my direction. Guess that was better then the alternative but I still felt a stab that she could feel so little for me.

As I expected, Mrs. Kelly made her way to the back of the class but didn't come too close. She always seemed to know how to make me feel comfortable. She waited for a few stragglers to make their way out of the room.

"Who reads for fun?"

"Lots of people"

"Losers, thats who"

"I know you'll be reading all summer because you have summer school, idiot."

"Hey shut up! You have it too!"

"Yeah but I'm not the one crying about reading for fun."

"Bye Mrs. Kelly" two boys call out, almost in unison then continued their pointless conversation as they walked out the door.

"Bye, Bert, Andy. Can't wait to see you in a few days." She takes a deep breath, closes her eyes just a moment longer than a blink, then lets out a sigh once they've gone. "I do love my job. I do." She says very quietly to herself. Then she chuckles while shaking her head. Must be tough to teach teenagers like us.

"Great class, Mrs. Kelly." I try to make her feel a little better.

"Thanks, Gerard. I'm very impressed by your participation today." Short pause to bite her bottom lip for just a second. "Gerard. I hope I'm not overstepping, and you can tell me if I am. But, are you okay? You're usually alert in my class even if you are too hesitant in your abilities to speak out."

I start to open my mouth to contradict her, then close it and just nod. Looking down at my scuffed up Converse i realize both laces are untied. If I was better at this writing and English class stuff, I could probably make that into a metaphor about my life. When did I become such a freaking weirdo? When did I start knowing what a metaphor was?

"Yeah. Sorry about that. I love your class. I hope you know that." Somehow, I felt the need to say that too after seeing the whole thing with Bert and Andy. Maybe this is just a Twilight Zone day in general. I mean, I freaking answered, IN CLASS. " I was somewhere else today because my girlfriend and I broke up last night. She uh, well, basically ran over me with a steam roller. Then put what was left in a blender. She humiliated me. At least I hadn't told her that I loved her yet. I was going to tell her the night she dumped me. Can't believe I'm telling you this. Why am I telling you this? I was never going to admit that to anyone." After a long, loud sigh, I cover my face with my hands. I could feel my cheeks heating up fast. I finished with, "She is in this class. But I did forget about her for a little while because you're a great teacher. See you after break." What the hell am I saying. Shut up. Just shut up now.

Her eyes gave me the "I'm so sorry look", but I barely saw it. Grabbing my bag, I ran out of the room. My face growing hotter by the second. Now it was becoming damp as well. Admitting feelings to a teacher, even a cool one, is bad enough. No way was I crying in front of one.

Notes

Thanks for the comments and ratings! This is really the first time I've written in a long time. Hopefully I'll keep improving. ;)

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