Chapter Text
Chapter 1: Math Sucks
Fuck! A D? Ughhhhhh…. I’m going to fail math. I am so done with these stupid numbers and my stupid brain, I am just good at nothing! Gene wanders into my room, looking at me quizzically, saying nothing. “What??” “I'm just concerned that you're going to be in Louise's math class, you know she'd be embarrassed to have her sister in her freshman math class” Gene so helpfully adds to my distress. “Ughhhhhhhh I’m just concerned I won’t be able to graduate high school” flopping face first onto my bed I deliberate my will to even go to school tomorrow.
I wake to the smell of pancakes, my favorite. Brushing the bird's nest that has formed on top of my head out, I hurry to the kitchen so I can get food before Gene steals all the good pancakes. “Look honey I made your favorite! A horsy pancake for my horse loving girl!” exclaims my mom, she must have seen the grade I got on my math test. “Mommmmm I’m 18 I don't even like horses that much anymore…”, a lie, of course, but I can't be stupid AND a nerd. My passion for horses had never subsided, but more covered up for appearances.
After finishing breakfast, I go to my room and throw on the same thing I wear every day, a graphic tee shirt and baggy jeans. I am by no means fashion forward, I have other things to worry about. One day I may exude the mysteriousness and nonchalant presence that so often appears in my fan fiction, however that is a world not realistically available to me. One day my prince charming will find me, and we will ride off into the sunset, however for now I will continue with my boring existence and math class.
I meet mom and dad in the restaurant to say goodbye before facing my fate at school. Gene and Louise offer no help while walking to school. “How are you failing MATH?” Louise so helpfully points out. Louise and Gene were both doing great in math, Louise may even go a level up and be in the same class as Gene. “ughhh I don't know!” I know exactly why, but instead of studying or doing my homework, I prefer to write. Most recently a fan fiction, however that's none of their business.
Walking into school I see God's greatest creation, Jimmy Jr.. “Hey Jimmy Jr.!” Hopefully one day he will notice my friendly demeanor, hopefully developing into the greatest friends to lovers story, however today is no different than any other. “It’s just Jr. now,” Jimmy says, rolling his eyes, turning back to presumably make out with Tammy. I know of this change in name, but calling him by his real name gives me hope to bring us closer. Tammy stands next to him complaining that he even acknowledged me while simultaneously staring at me with disgust. They look so perfect together and it makes me so angry! Tammy is stunning, she only got more beautiful after middle school, her long blonde hair, as well as her impeccable fashion sense. Today her hair is curled to perfection, she wears a pink low cut shirt with her lacy white bra peaking out, as well as low cut jeans that showed off her ass perfectly. Jimmy is dressed in a graphic tee shirt and baggy jeans, matching me. We share so many similarities, it's a shocker we're not a couple by now.
We finally make our way to my dreadful math class, where doom awaits me. I am already in an easier math than I should be, but if I don’t pass this class I won't be able to graduate. Straight away Mr. Abbott tells me to meet him after class, clearly, not a good sign.
After a painfully slow math class, I meet Mr. Abbott up front. “Mr. Frond and I were discussing, and we think it’s best if you join our tutoring program” Oh no no no noooo, “What?!?! I can't do that! That's like letting the whole world know I’m stupid!” Mr. Abbott calmly explains “The program is anonymous, the only person who would know is your tutor”. “That doesn't make it any better! Once a rumor starts it never dies down!”. Mr. Abbott thinks for a while, “ Well there is a particular student I have in mind, that could tutor you in Math, however they need help in English.” “umm ok? What does that have to do with me?”. “Well I have seen your scores in English, they are phenomenal, so why don't you share what you know with this student?” Mr. Abbott looks as if he's just solved the answer to world peace. “This way you both have a secret to keep and there is no chance of your secret getting out”. To be fair it is pretty smart, and I might even be able to graduate. “I guess, who’s the student?” a part of me was hoping it was Jimmy Jr. so that this spark might ignite a burning flame of love. “Tammy”
Oh my god, what have I got myself into?! Technically speaking Tammy should be my worst enemy, not only is she dating my one true love, but she's so mean to me! But I can see why, I'm the competition, she's gotta protect her relationship. However, in a strange way, I think we could've been friends in another universe. “TINAAAA” Dads screaming shatters my trance, and suddenly I am staring at a burnt to black patty. “Dammit Tina, go take orders until you’re in the right mind to cook”. I’m not great with the customers, dad knows this, but customers being off put is better than burnt food. Walking out with my pen and pad I stop in my tracks, ughhhh nooo. Sitting in the corner booth is Tammy, Jimmy Jr., Jocelyn, and Zeke. They have caught me at my worst. Sucking up all of my courage I make my way over to their table. I offer a friendly greeting “Hi”. Silence. “Um hi? Do we know you?” questions Jocelyn. “Um yes, we go to the same school? You're in my math class?” I responded. “Huh I guess I never noticed” another beat of silence, “Why are you standing there?” “Um I’m here to take your order” “Ohhhhh that's why you’re wearing an apron” “yeah….” Tammy breaks the silence, “well I want something fat free” “ummmmm we have water, or coffee?” Tammy stares at me as if I am single handedly responsible for obesity. “I guess I will have a latte" “we only have regular coffee” “fine get me that and some creamers” “ok what about the rest of you?” The orders continue, Jocelyn orders the “exact same as Tammy”, Zeke orders practically everything on the menu for him and Jimmy Jr., apparently they are bulking. However I only manage to partly hear their orders as I stare at Tammy and Jimmy Jr.s hands intertwined. They are flaunting their relationship right in front of me, taunting me with what I want most.
Heading back to the kitchen I hand the orders to dad. “Tina, half of what you wrote is just hearts around the paper” “I’m sorry! I was distracted…” “Alright, I guess just go bus tables, Gene can take over for you. I sigh and head back out, handing the drinks to the corner booth before I start with the littered tables. Suddenly, Jocelyn dumps her coffee all over me, granted the coffee was lukewarm at best but now I was drenched. Out of nowhere Tammy exclaims “ugh why are you so clumsy?” Sighing I go to tell dad that I need to go change, Dad tells me to just quit while I’m ahead. Gratefully I head out of the restaurant.
Once upstairs, I get in the shower and replay the events of today. Jimmy Jr. was so hot in that v-neck, and today he talked to me several times! He even came into my dads restaurant, where he knew I worked… maybe this is him silently calling out to me begging me to run away, fight the social norms, break away from the stereo types of popular people with popular people.
Finishing my shower, I head to my room and put on my favorite shirt with a horse adorning the front and “horse girl forever” displayed on the back, as well as my pajama pants with horse print, I go to grab my phone when I suddenly remember.. I left it downstairs. Ughhh. Hopefully Tammy isn't still there, I just know I would be brutally bullied for my pajamas. I could just not get my phone and let it die, but I have class tomorrow and I need my music. Nobally, I will go into war, not knowing if I will make it out, but willing to make the sacrifices required. I throw on one of dads jackets, covering most of my pajamas, and hurry into the restaurant, averting my gaze from the corner booth. They seem to not notice me, as I quickly grab my phone and run back to my room. I let out a sigh of relief as I made it back safely into my room. Tucking myself in, I let my mind wander to thoughts of Jimmy Jr. as I drift off to sleep.