Chapter Text
Sometimes…I think people use the word “weird” as if it's a bad thing. It's as if what you like to watch or do that makes you happy is something to be embarrassed about. I always love to think that being weird is like being unique, like how you stand out from a boring crowd as mom puts it.
She always looks one the bright side of things, I guess that's why Im considered the creative child in my family. I also have quite an interest in history, ironic since I'm sure my classmates in my history class would rather be asleep or somewhere else than listen to our teacher, Mr. Thorne.
Im honored to wear the "Teacher's Pet" badge and be considered the smartest in that class and to learn a lot on our world history than-
“Flora!”, my head snapped up at the voice of my sister, Sylvia, calling for me from downstairs. I stood in the doorframe of my vibrant green bedroom,“Yeah?” I called back. “Are you about ready? I need to get you to school on time plus I have Morning lecture in about-", she pauses a minute, "-30 minutes, Mom would've killed us both if we were late again", she sang in a sing-song voice.
I snapped my head at the alarm clock on my bedside table, the analog letters read 7:10 am! Crap, I gotta get going! I had been dallying around in my room all morning that I lost track of time. In a swift motion, I swiped my rose pink backpack that hung at my work desk and grabbed my open spiral bound sketchbook and slapped it shut. I paused in my step and turned back to my deskbut snatched a couple of stray gel pens out of an old coffee mug I used for writing. Finally, I switched the lights off.
Waiting downstairs was Sylvia, who had two prepared breakfast sandwiches at the ready as I came racing down the steps; Leaping from the second-to-last step as my colorful sneakers made a harsh squeak on impact. My older sister steadied me briefly, straightening the bottom of my layered top, “Take it easy, doctor says that the spring time tends to flare up your asthma. Don’t overdo it”, Sylvia scolded me as she checked my spare pouch for my spare inhaler. She’s kinda been a second parent, on days when Mom and dad are super busy with the morning news center while Johnny, our older brother, is currently away for college but he does visit on the weekends, whenever he can.
I was seven years old when I learned what asthma felt after my 4th grade class came in from recess, one hot and dry August day; Since then, the doctor had warned me that I couldn’t overexert myself in physical because I could have a harsh coughing fit not to mention that the hot weather aggravates it. As a solution, my counselor had pulled me from Pe and replaced it with being a library assistant which it honestly blows… No more looking forward to the fun games to play, No more sports, no more pelting kids in the face during dodgeball… That is if we can play ever again but it’s not my fault that my team gets competitive!
The crisp spring air hit our faces as Sylvia backed out of the driveway and headed down the street towards the direction of my school. Even though being prescribed "staying indoors and no sports" did suck, there is one good side to it. I get free time to work on my graphic novel in my library period. Although some of the kids call it a comic book but I see it as a graphic novel and the main star of the book is my personal creation; “Lady Siren” I had created her for a writing project for my 6th grade english class, where we had to create a character and write their own backstory The tragic character during the Roaring 20s where economic prosperity boomed and the nightlife grew. In my story, She was a mythical sea siren from the seaside of a small local town that had blended in with the humans and went to become an uprising singer during the rise of the Roaring 20s but she disappeared during an incidental theater fire.
Once Sylvia dropped me off at the front steps of the school I headed inside through the crowds of kids that lingered the halls before the warning bell rings. My shoes made contact with the tile as I made my way to the 7th grade hall; I figured I could get my books before I get caught by the late bell. The clicking sounds of the combination granted me access as a loud KER-CLUNK followed by old hinges squeaking as I shoved and swapped out my textbooks for the first few classes.
While I had my breakfast sandwich in my mouth, my ears seem to eavesdrop on my classmates conversation. One conversation had caught my attention, as I recognized one of the voices as Alice Baker and Leticia Rodriguez.
"Have you decided what you wanted to do for your history paper, Ally?", Leticia pondered, cradling her textbooks in her hands.
There was a slight pause, the kids chattering filling the void.
"Hmm…I've been thinking about doing a paper on Josephine Baker."
My eyes lit up, as quickly as I could swallowed the rest of my egg sandwich, catching a sliver of the cooked ham that fell from my mouth. I remember Sylvie did a paper on her, sometime ago. I quickly turned on my heel to face the girls, brushing off bread crumbs that stuck to my cheek with a quick hand swipe, "Oh I know a lot about her".
The two girls jumped at my sudden knowledge, their sudden relieved laughter echoed a bit "Sorry I didn't mean to frighten you but my sister did a paper on her and I can help if you ever wanted too…"
"Oh don't worry Flora", Alice waved her hand dismissively, "Beside I already have a library pass for later so I'm good plus I'm sure that you have your paper to do". I instinctively held my folder that had my rough draft printed, "Sure Sure", I shuffled my foot, awkwardly. "Anyways We'll see you around", Alice walked off, her friend following in toe.
I sighed, feeling deflated. Well that was worth an attempt, I mentally facepalmed. It's rather hard to try and talk with people about what you like or try to help them pass their class because you want them to get an education. I admit that I tend to get too excited and can come off annoying, maybe I'm not looking for the right friends? The late bell had pulled me from the depths of my mind as kids scattered in different directions as I made my way to my first class of the day, Math... Ugh I really hope we don't have a pop quiz today.