On Monday, things returned to normal. Classes began like usual, lunch was just as odd (the conversation was about how lightening is formed), and, though the dance was a common topic about Lakewood, it wasn't the only thing people were interested in. In fact, the new chemistry sub was a key conversation starter. He was known as 'the cool sub' and 'the young guy.' I had him second-to-last period, and didn't realize how cool he really was until then.

On my way to chemistry, Hans and Frans bumped into me on their way rollerskating down the halls. My papers (an essay on Things Fall Apart and a notebook full of rather personal math notes) went flying all over, like God had momentarily folded them into airplanes, and I rushed all around, trying to pick them all up.

The bell rang, and my homework still littered the floor. I swore.

"Here." A gentle voice said and handed me a stack of my papers.

I looked up to see an new student, dressed in a green shirt because he hadn't gotten the uniform yet. Or so I thought. He smiled, looked handsome, and then left.

I watched his retreating back. Wow, I remember thinking. He's probably the nicest guy I've met here. Is he another scholarship student?

I hurried into the chemistry classroom, where the green-shirted young man stood by the blackboard. "Hello, Ethan." He said when I sat down, checking the seating chart for my name. "I'm Kellen, the sub."

I turned very red. Class commenced.

You know how some teachers are just good? How they can hold your attention without saying a word and keep you focused, even though you'd rather be elsewhere? (Now that I think about it, I'd rather be in Kellen's--as he insisted we call him--class than any other place on the grounds, and it wasn't just because he was young and handsome. I had enough young and handsome men around me. I swear that they all go to Lakewood.)

Kellen was a very good teacher. When I left, my brain having absorbed the duality of light, I felt a little sad. He was only a sub. When would I see him again? Who knew when the next teacher would fake sick?

Since it was French next, I preformed a stunning rant, jabbering in French and telling Alex all about the hot new sub. He didn't understand a word of it, except maybe il and elle and tres chaud. Then class began, and I had to pretend to pay attention.