it shut. “Do this right, and I may consider letting you go to homecoming after all.”
“I thought we’d already established that I think school dances are wack.”
“Good luck.” With that, Mr. Elliott diverted his attention to his computer, making it obvious he was done with me.
With a shake of my head, I stood up and walked out the door.
***
“Volunteer? School club?” Stephanie burst out laughing, flashing those ugly braces once again.
I narrowed my eyes, waiting for her to calm down, but after about a full minute of snorting, hysterical cackling, and tearing eyes, I turned to Rocky and sighed. “This is bullshit.”
“Well, you got off easy,” she shot back, surprising me.
“What do you mean?”
“Why start the fight with Dwight to begin with? That was beyond stupid.”
Because he asked you out? We both know the answer to that. Come on, Rocky.
I growled. “It’s because he’s been trying to get under my skin since freshman year. From the swirlies and wet willies of ninth grade to the face punches and name calling of senior year. I can’t take it anymore, Rocky. I just can’t.”
Stephanie finally quieted down, prompting Rocky and I to look over at her in annoyance. Wiping tears from her eyes, she asked, “So what club are you looking into? French? Debate? Ooh, how about water polo? I’m sure those banana hammocks would look really cute on your little willy. Oh, wait, it’s not so little, is it? I’ve heard stories.”
“Shut up, dipshit,” I muttered.
“What about if you join Art Club?” Rocky piped up. Her cheeks looked flushed, and I couldn’t help but wonder if she was getting sick.
“I doubt my knowledge in graffiti and vandalizing counts as art, Rocky. Thanks for the thought, though.” I laughed.
“I’m serious. We’re always looking for models.”
Stephanie jabbed Rocky in the ribs. “Ah, you just want him to pose naked so you can see his willy for yourself.”
Rocky and I both wore identical masks of horror. I glanced over with a sneer. “Didn’t I tell you to shut it?”
To my surprise, Stephanie didn’t have a smart comeback. She merely shrugged. “Just trying to make you feel better.”
“Well, you’re not.” Feeling an overwhelming need to ease the sudden tension, I blurted out, “You know what? Maybe I will take art. Won’t be too bad, considering I have a friend in there.”
Rocky flashed me a weird look. “Well, we have a meeting after school if you want to go with me.”
“I don’t really have a choice.” I sighed.
“Okay, friend. I’ll see you then.”
Stephanie snorted silently with a shake of her head.
***
My knee bounced up and down, causing the wooden table to shake. Rocky’s hand shot out and pressed down on my thigh. “Stop it.”
“I can’t help it,” I hissed. “I move around when I’m restless…and when I want to run away.”
Her eyes twinkled as the left corner of her mouth lifted up in amusement. “Could it be that you’re nervous?”
“Nervous? Nah, I’m never nervous.” I glanced around and wiped my sweaty palms against my jeans.
“Really? Because you’re not doing a very good job of hiding it.” She giggled quietly and looked around the classroom. “I promise there’s nothing here to be worried about. Besides, I’m here with you. You’ll be fine.” She paused. “And I promise you won’t have to strip.”
I blushed and quickly looked away. As I gazed around the classroom, I quickly realized I didn’t recognize about half the students who filled the room. I spotted a group of bougie looking art kids staring back at me as if I were some wild animal that had just been let out of its cage.
“I don’t get people sometimes,” I growled under my breath.
“What was that?” Rocky asked, busying herself by sharpening a stick of charcoal.
“Nothing. Forget about it.” I shook my head and diverted my attention on the cracks of my plastic binder. I ran my hands over the sharp slivers of blue and sighed. Those bougie kids wouldn’t know one thing about having to reuse the same school supplies every single year. They wouldn’t know how it felt to duct tape the cardboard backing or find new screws for the metallic clasps. I was like a savage to them. I couldn’t really fault them for staring.
Just as I was tempted to get up and leave, a petite young woman with bright corn-colored hair walked into the room. Her ivory skin almost glittered under the fluorescent lights. Had it not been for the quirky, cartoonish smile on her face, she would have been pretty hot.