Free Confessions of a Serial Kisser by Wendelin Van Draanen

period, relieved for once to be spending time in the world history boredom tomb.

34
    Counseling
    "T ELL ME ," D ELILAH WHISPERED . "Tell me where I can go to escape these memories, these ghosts."
    "I'll show you," he told her. And then, with a tenderness that belied his imposing physique, Grayson took her hand.

    Grayson didn't take Delilah to the counselor's office. (Or to bed, like in most of those ridiculous books my mom has.) He took her to a park bench overlooking a serene lake that had swans gliding along it and "graceful weeping willow boughs aching to taste the glistening water."
    I shifted in my oh-so-comfy formed plastic chair as I waited outside Mr. Hikks's closed office door thinking that some lovely swans and glistening water would do wonders for my mood. Actually, at this point some basic air-conditioning would help. Why was it so hot in here? It was beautiful outside...why couldn't we open some windows?
    "Are you sure he's in there?" I asked the counselors' secretary. I knew he was, but I was tired of wasting my break in this stifling place.
    She nodded. "It'll only be another minute, I'm sure. And I know it's important, Evangeline, so just sit tight."
    I went to the Sparkletts dispenser and treated myself to a paper cup of room-temperature water. How did she know it was important? Who had been talking to whom? Was this about the few recent blips on my otherwise shining academic record? Had my teachers alerted Mr. Hikks to my lack of focus? My newfound test-bombing abilities?
    Or...
    Was this about...
    Kissing?
    My blood pressure went up fast. My head started swimming with the sudden realization that my summons to the counselor's office might be for actual
counseling.
    But...did they really think I'd talk to Mr. Hikks?
    That I'd be able to explain anything during a twenty-minute nutrition break?
    Who were these people, and what had they done with reality?
    Mr. Hikks's door opened. A purple-mohawked Ryce Tibbins strode out sporting ripped black cotton, multiple piercings, and military boots.
    We exchanged nods, and at the last minute he tagged on a knowing sneer.
    Why the sneer?
I asked myself as he bashed through the reception-area door. Had he seen my graceful dive into garbage the other day?
    Had he heard about my...
    Kissing?
    "Evangeline?" Mr. Hikks said with an artificial smile. "Come in."
    So into his cubby of clutter I went.
    "How are you?"
    "Fine," I said, standing in front of his desk. There were stacks of papers, transcripts, college catalogs, newspapers, file folders...the place was a disaster.
    He swigged back some coffee and grimaced like it was bitter or cold, or maybe both. "Have a seat."
    "What's this about?" I asked, not sitting. "I really don't want to be late to Spanish."
    He flipped open a manila folder with my name on it. "I'll write you a note. Have a seat."
    My knees wimped out on me.
    I sat.
    "We've sent three letters home about this," he began, then took another swig of the sludge in his coffee mug.
    My mind raced. Three letters home?
Already?
Why hadn't I seen them? And what about the flunkies? What about all the seniors in danger of not graduating? What about the bathroom smokers, for that matter! The drug dealers! The people who scrawl obscene messages inside bathroom stalls? What about them? So I'd kissed a couple of guys. So I'd bombed a test. So I'd been a little distracted.
    So
what
?
    Mr. Hikks thumped his coffee mug on his desk, looked me directly in the eye, and said, "You need to do your community-service hours, Evangeline. We will not advance you to senior status if you haven't completed your community-service hours." He frowned at me. "Even if you do have nearly a four point oh." He shoved a paper in front of me. "Here's a copy of the list we've mailed to you
three times.
"
    I picked up the paper and looked it over. I could feel myself flush with a strange, almost uncontrollable anger. I'd been totally stressing out in the waiting area for
this
?
    "Just choose an