First Day (01)

I lift a hand in exasperation, as if begging for the answer from the sky. "Fine. Excuse me for frelling caring." I turn back around in my seat and try to catch Vincent's eye, rolling my eyes if I do and texting him:
What's gotten into her?

I probably shouldn't be distracting him from class, be I feel like he's more likely to gossip with me than Zeke.

I raise an eyebrow at the response and fire back:
You mean like for sex???

It’s the first thing that comes to mind. Why else would Steph be so cagey about it?

Damn, I didn't think the answer about Steph could be sadder or weird than ghost sex. I guess it's somehow worse. Iao should probably stop the deal, give Steph a break from whatever self-torture she's putting herself through with this.

Before I can do anything more, though, that note hits me in the shoulder and I jump a bit, half of me expecting it to be a sword or something after so many crazy attacks. But then I realize it's just a well-folded paper, and I try to subtly open it up without the crinkling giving me away.

The note is...wild. Like, who does this girl think she is? Who does she think I am? And why is she telling me about her meds? I'm about ready to fire back with something between a "good luck, kid" and a "you'll be fine, promise" when I realize that maybe...maybe this is an opportunity to get another follower. Like Stuart. Some poor, desperate soul who I can help out and then use in the future. Like she said, she'd owe me...big time.

More thoughtfully, I write back:

I do have some connections and some good friends. Anything in particular you're looking to get hooked up with?

I almost laugh at her direct exuberance in the note, but hold it in because if she's on my hook, I don't want to push her away. I do text Vincent though:
Izzy thinks you smell good

Then I add:
She's not wrong ;)

Then I write back to her:
Sounds like you want to be invited to a party. I can make that happen.
What meds??

I guess Vincent has been paying closer attention to Izzy than I have been recently. I text him back:

She wants to get high, disconcerting or not...$$$$

Then I've got some time where I have nothing to do but pay attention to class and wait for Izzy's return note. When she finally tosses it over, I don't know how to pronounce half the words, but caring enough about that to Google it isn't cool and I want her to keep seeing me as the pinnacle of cool. Of course, for someone who's never been to a party outside of family birthday parties, I don't think being cool is going to take much.

I write back:
You've NEVER been to a party!? How old are you???
I bet there will be something after the first official football game of the season. I'll find out what's up.
Hey, got any leftover drugs? Can they get you high?

I definitely see already how hard this class is going to be. I text Red under my desk:
AP Statistics. You game? I can send you the syllabus.

I frown a little when Izzy says her old drugs aren't the fun kind, and offers me her anxiety meds. Not sure what she's trying to say with that.

I don't reply to her note, waiting instead until class is over, then I toss the paper on her desk and say, "My number's on there. Text me sometime so I have yours." Then I quickly head for the door, because that seems cool and mysterious. Have to keep her wanting, right?

It's lunch!


People you see on their way into the lunchroom that you recognize:
Axel, Belle Noria, Cooper Nelson, Eudora, Hannah, Henry Cooper, Oliver Green, Pen Dominguez, Ryler McCabe, Skylar Pascoe, Steph, Teddy Brown, and... Melony.

Today's menu includes:
Spaghetti with Italian Meat Sauce
Classic Pepperoni Pizza
Classic Cheese Pizza
Mixed Greens Salad with Cheese

Over at the new grill, they offer:
WG Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Spicy Chicken Sandwich
and
Curly Fries

At the "Sono Station" are taco fixins:
Seasoned Beef Taco Meat
Chicken Taco Meat
Soft Flour Tortilla
Tortilla Chips
Brown Rice
Pinto Beans
Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Shredded Romaine Lettuce
Fresh Diced Tomatoes
Sliced Jalapenos
Pico de Gallo
Low Fat Sour Cream

The "On the Go" item today is a Buffalo Ranch Chicken Wrap

And there's always the salad bar, which is well-stocked!

---

What do you get and who do you sit with?

I don't text Red back right away. It's half power-play, half I'm-not-sure-how-to-answer. I'll figure that out later.

While I pick up a spicy chicken sandwich and curly fries, side of ketchup, I scope out the room and choose my spot. I carry my tray over to Hannah, sitting down beside her.

"Back at school?" I open, dipping a fry in ketchup and taking a bite. "Is this a permanent thing?"