Chapter Text
The room is bright and alive at 8:45 A.M. -I can almost ignore Hatchetfield High School’s zombie-florecent-lighting. I adjusted my clothes in my seat, making sure to put it all back into place after getting jostled on the walk to school. I was going to get a ride from my brother, but Ted just so happened to forget and completely let himself go (though I shouldn’t be surprised. He’s been like that for years). Then, I was going to take the bus, but what kind of senior takes the bus? So now I’m sitting uncomfortably with unkempt clothing and the thought that I definitely should’ve put on more deodorant.
Miss Mulberry is up at her desk, her red wispy hair slicked back into a bun to really solidify that no-nonsense look she has going for her. In about twenty seconds, she’s going to take attendance. To my left is Ruth Fleming, a loser, much like myself, who actually got a name for herself in the past year. In freshman year, she couldn’t speak a word to someone other than her small group of friends without throwing up. But now, she actually talks to people and is somewhat popular, if only though spreading rumors and gossip. Why didn’t I think of that-?
“And he was like ‘I’ll only make out with you if you beat me at pool!’ And then obviously, he intentionally lost at pool.”
“Hot.”
“Stacy!”
“What-??”
Ruth was talking to Stacy and Brenda, quite possibly the loudest people in the entire school. They always talked about whatever somewhat interesting things were happening to the football players. Mostly just Max. Speaking of, I could faintly make out Max with his usual group of goons; Kyle and Jason. They were talking about being great at pool. I wonder why.
“Ahem.” Miss Mulberry clears her throat from the front of the room, eliciting silence through the cliques. “Clauger.”
“Here.”
“Fleming.”
“Here.”
“Jägerman.”
“Here.”
“Jepson.”
“Here.”
“Lauter.” Steph raises her hand like she doesn’t care about anything around her. As if she isn’t literally the mayor’s daughter. It’s captivating. And Cool. “Here.” I look down.
“Monroe.”
“Here.”
Oh yeah. Here comes the fun part, the part that has been the bane of my existence since every kid found out what sex was and figured it was the funniest thing ever to joke about. It induces hesitation in teachers and forces the entire class to supress laughing out loud. I wonder if Ted had to go through this.
“Spankoffski.” Somebody snickers. Obviously at me. Who wouldn’t?
“...Here.”