School’s never been easy for me. I’ve always bounced between interests, switching from obsession to indifference in a matter of days. When I was younger, I used to think of it as my very own super power, but I’ve come to realise that it’s my greatest flaw. It’s the reason so many of my potential friendships have been ruined, why just about all my teachers are counting down to the day I leave. I don’t mean to cause trouble, not really, but it seems like the only thing I can do. Sometimes it feels like the whole world despises me, but I can’t blame them, because if I were them, I’d hate me too.
I met Kat first, then Savannah. They were already friends. Minh came into the picture later, in our sophomore year, but although we’d only known her a few months, it felt like she’d been here for years. We don’t have much in common, not really, just that we all don’t fit in.
There’s Savannah, with her all her drama and her constant need to fight. She's temperamental and intimidating to those who don't know her, not exactly ideal friend material. Then there’s Minh, who is the sweetest girl I’ve ever met, yet she’s hated for all the things that make her beautiful. Kat’s the exception, I suppose. She’s slippery like butter, sweet talking her way out of any situation. I’m not really sure why she hangs out with us, after all, she’s like the ideal friend, charismatic, pretty, and a whole lot of fun. Then again, it’s not something I should dwell on, because truth is, I'm just glad she sticks around.
“Hey peeps,” says Kat, startling me. She’s holding a paper bag, which no doubt contained some form of lunch. “Sorry I’m late, I just had Mrs Hills.”
“Oh, yeah she always drones on for ages. The bell doesn’t dismiss you, I do!” I exclaim, doing my best impersonation. Kat laughs, standing beside me.
“Scoot over, Lan,” she says, plopping the paper bag down. I oblige, smiling at her. Even though it’s only been a week, it feels like ages since I’ve seen her, and I have to admit, I’ve missed her.
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“What did Thorton want?” Savannah asks from across us.
“He wanted to talk about my absences and shit. Had to put on the waterworks to get out of it.” She dismissively waves her hand, as if it isn’t a big deal. Unfortunately, Savannah isn’t in the mood to drop it.
“Well, why were you absent?” she asks airily, but the tension is palpable between them.
“I was busy,” she replies, shrugging and ruffling through her bag.
“With what?” Savannah asks, getting more frustrated by the second. I could tell a fight was coming, but I knew not to interfere. Kat would handle it. It was what she was good at. She looks up, meeting Savannah's crystal blue eyes.
"I had some things to take care of," she shrugs, going back to rummaging through her bag.
"What things?" Savannah frowns, scrunching up her freckled nose.
"Nothing noteworthy." She pulls out a tin of fried rice, and my mouth waters.
"That looks good," I comment, and she turns towards me. I feel a little guilty for commenting, since we both know she’ll offer me some. Kat’s nice like that, which is a rare trait to find around here.
"I made it out of some leftovers this morning. Want some?" she asks.
"Yes please," I smile, and she transfers some to my plate. Out of our group, I'm the only one who can afford a canteen lunch, but I don't like them much. My parents can't be bothered to pack me anything else though, and unlike Kat, I'm not about to wake up at 5:00 am to make myself something.
"Kat, what things?" Savannah asks, clenching her fists.
"Ok, what the hell is going on, because I sure as hell know it's not about me skipping a few days of school," Kat exclaims, whirling around to face her. Minh is visibly uncomfortable, no doubt racing to think of ways to save us from our impending doom.
“The fuck it isn’t, because you just disappeared. No phone call, no explanation, nothing!” Her voice is getting rapidly louder, and I can feel the heads turning our direction.
“Voices down,” mutters Minh, but they’re too far embroiled in rage to listen. I sink lower into my seat, my cheeks turning red. Thankfully though, Kat, ever the diplomat, fixes things.
“Oh, Sav,” Kat says, her eyes filling with sympathy, “I won’t abandon you.” Savannah looks down, no longer angry, and I can tell the crisis has passed..
“You should’ve called,” she mumbles.
“I’m sorry,” Kat says, “next time I will.” Savannah nods, and Kat puts on her award winning smile.
“Now, tell me everything that’s gone on this week,” she says, leaning forward with a conspiratorial grin.