Cole listened mutely, his head occasionally nodding in acknowledgement as she spoke, even if he didn't agree.<em>My whole life I've been told to prepare for college and high school, and all the counselors are marking off kids on whether or not they have the smarts to even graduate; and she says it'll get easier</em>he thought.<em>Whatever.</em><br/><br/>After she finished her short spiel, the tall teenager stood up straight and made a move to leave, but decided to say something first at the last moment.  "Uh, Ms. Taylor, I'll drop by after school tomorrow with those, then.  Sometime... soon..."  He tilted his head, checking the watch on his wrist.  It was going to be close...<br/><br/>Cole fiddled with the digital contraption on the way to the door, trying to set it back a few minutes so he could claim evidence for his excuse for tardiness.  He suddenly noticed Ms. Taylor had her hand on his shoulder.  That didn't bother him: teachers often made bodily contact like that.  A hand here, a playful shove there.  Everyone's favorite teachers did it all the time.  No, what suprised Cole was the way it felt.  Her hand was light but firm, a casual gesture of little meaning.  However, no one but Anna ever touched Cole, and he had grown used to her vice like grip, holding on tight lest he run off.  Or, as she saw it, be stolen by some other girl.<em>Like that would ever happen.</em><br/><br/>Cole had almost forgotten what a soft touch felt like.  He almost thought it compassionate, as if his teacher actually felt bad for him doing bad on the test.  He shot Ms. Taylor a confused look, glanced at his watch, then ran off down the hallway.  He was already late for class.<em>Ah well, at least I can do the HA bonus in detention</em>...