Page 43 of Driftwood Daffodil 3

“That doesn’t answer my question, Nova.”

“Listen, it’s not my fault that you don’t know who Marty is.” I said, and opened the door to step outside. “Maybe you should pay better attention.”

Of course I didn’t expect Memphis to have any idea who Marty was. Why would he? But, I would enjoy watching him try to find him for the next week.

“Wait,” Memphis called, and quickly followed me. “Is Marty that guy who got his foot stuck in the locker room drain?”

“No.” I kind of wanted to meet that guy though.

People weren’t too happy with us. We got glares, whispers, and the occasional sneer. Stacy lifted her hand and displayed a finger when we walked past. That one made me smirk. Arch nemesis mode had been activated.

Memphis was too busy thinking about other things to notice anything. “I don’t think I’ve ever met a Marty.”

“Impossible. Everybody knows Marty.”

“How do you know him?”

“He slapped me.” I thought we established that.

“You didn’t know him before that?”

He was getting suspicious, and I couldn’t have that. Then I’d have to find something else to amuse me for the next week.

“I didn’t know, know him,” pulling open the door, I stepped in the school halls. “But I knew him.”

His eyes narrowed. “Why do I feel like you’re sending me on a wild goose chase?”

Because I was.

“Would I do that?” Where was the faith?

“Yes.”

Sometimes, I wished Memphis didn’t know me as well as he did.

Trying to play it cool, I gave him a shrug. “Like I said, it’s not my fault you don’t know Marty.”

We came to a t-intersection where Memphis lifted his chin, and eyed me. “There is no Marty.”

Bless his heart. He sounded so sure about that.

“Oh, there’s a Marty.”

“Uh huh.” Memphis pointed at me, while backing down the hall on the right. “We will continue this discussion.”

Oh, I planned on it.

“Have fun playing mascot.”

Apparently, it was just as important for mascots to attend team meetings as it was for the players. That’s where Memphis was when I texted him to come out to the parking lot.

“Don’t worry,” he turned around and waved over his shoulder. “I’ll misspell something on your locker later.”

That was just mean.

“I’m not coming to your birthday party next month.”

“Good, maybe someone else will get some cake.” He called out before disappearing around the corner.

---