I pressed my head against a locker, groaning. It was the first day and I’d already been reprimanded three times for speaking out of turn. For some reason no one here seemed to find me funny. Stupid elitists. The teachers had gotten annoyed too, but it's not like I was interrupting their lessons. The school wasn’t having us do any work. For some reason they'd decided it would be a good idea for every teacher to have half an hour to introduce themselves and give a preview of what lessons would be like, as though that didn’t take five minutes. I’d managed to weasel my way into getting a hall pass to go to the toilet because my I couldn’t take anymore of the mind-numbing introductions. My brain wasn’t built to listen to people talk about nothing for hours on end. Lunch was next, but it felt further away than ever.
“Hey, do you mind not making out with my locker?” a voice said behind me. I glanced back to see a guy towering over me. He had at least a whole foot and a half on me. I stepped away scowling. I couldn't even laze around in peace. He shook his head muttering under his breath as he opened his locker. I backed away, slowly taking my time as I made my way back to the class.
I’d forgotten that the other years were already in the full swing of things. Hopefully I didn’t run into Maria, because she’d have more than earful to give me if she found out I'd been late on the first day. I yawned, walking past classrooms and peering inside briefly as I went along. Even if I was already bored, even I had to admit that the school was pretty fancy. I couldn't remember exactly how many stories there were but it was at least seven. Floors were sorted into different subjects, with humanities and sciences being on the fourth and maths and English being on the third. Auditoriums and reception were on the first floor, and the second floor was supposed to be homerooms, offices and rooms for extra curriculars. Unfortunately for us they were doing construction work on half of the 2nd floor and an auditorium. So now I had sit on those god awful stools in homeroom for probably the rest of the year. At least the dorms were in a separate building connected by a bunch of walkways.
I didn’t understand what had possessed the school to make such a big building. I guess everything was flashy in New York. Except the traffic. The traffic just felt worse and I wasn’t even in it. Still, the flashiness was all a bit too much for me. The uniforms, ceiling to floor tinted windows, the embedded ceiling lights, and all the high tech stuff they had all over the place, was really starting to rub me the wrong way. It didn't feel like a school here. I couldn't feel any life in the place. I wasn't going to like it here. In fact, I was already really starting to hate this place. Ok, Hate was a bit strong. Dislike maybe? I sighed, still dragging my feet behind me. I knew it was irrational; disliking a place I hadn’t even been at for two hours. It felt like I wasn’t giving it a chance. Scratch that, I wasn’t. I wanted to be home. I'd known that before I'd even gotten here.
Not that I could just up and leave. Well, I’d just cause some trouble and get suspended for a few days so I could go back home. Then Big Sis would probably scream at me long enough to make me want to come back, and then I’d start to remember all my issues with home. Boom. Problem solved. And I'd get a few days off school. God I was a genius. I turned back towards my class and started making my way through the halls. Hmm, how could I get suspended? I could pull off a few pranks? Yeah, that sounded good. Plus, if I got a few pranks in maybe today wouldn’t be so boring.
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The cafeteria was loud, even if it was just us freshman in here. It was probably because of the echo seeing as the cafeteria – sorry – the refectory was absolutely huge. Everyone was talking loudly with excited expressions having already formed small groups of friends. I hadn’t made an effort to talk to anyone, and the group of three kids from my homeroom who’d shared all the same classes as me, weren’t making an effort to talk to me either. I sighed and tugged at my tie, feeling self conscious. My jumper was still dirty, but I couldn’t take it off because my shirt was so creased it looked wrinkly, and that would definitely earn more stares.
I looked around the hall. Everyone looked super professional and seemed to be glowing with ambition. I felt out of place. Welp, what could you do? I glanced further up the line. This was taking forever. Hmm… I pulled my student ID lanyard out of my pocket and slipped it on. I tightened my tie, and dusted off my blazer. Presentation was key. I slunk my way past the line, walking with purpose. It worked like a charm, with a few people glancing at me but nobody saying anything. I slipped in front of a large group towards the front of the line and grabbed a tray, staring ahead nonchalantly.
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The sounds of conversation behind me slowly ground to a halt.
“Uh… excuse me?” someone said behind me. I ignored them, stepping forward as I surveyed the food. Dammit half the selections were salads. That was great, just great.
“Excuse me” the person said louder, grabbing my shoulder. Oh great, he was one of those. I glanced behind me feigning confusion. The group of seven all stared at me in silence, the blonde guy closest to me having tapped me on the shoulder.
“What’s up?” I asked innocently.
“You can’t just cut the line” he said loudly.
“Ah. I’m allergic to red meat” I said “they told me to head to the front before all the food I can eat is gone” I lied.
“Oh, sorry” he said his face flushing slightly.
“No worries” I replied turning back around. I grinned mischievously. God it worked every time. I picked out my food, and then made my way over to a table.
“Lucas!” a voice called out. I turned to see Quinten sitting at a table with a few others. There was a glowering brunette with tan skin that I sort of recognised, and the other three were complete strangers. Two of them looked like siblings both black, with similarly strong face shapes, and the third was a small Asian girl with jet black hair. Crap, I couldn’t avoid just avoid them now that we’d made eye contact, I guess I’d have to sit with them. Maybe if I didn't speak maybe they'd just assume I was shy. Cautiously, I made my way over to them sitting down next to Quinten.
They all looked at me expectantly but I ignored them and attacked my food.
“You’re as gross as ever” the brunette said. I frowned looking up at her.
“Do I know you?” I asked, “I mean you look familiar.” Her eyes widened slightly in surprise, and she turned to Quinten.
“Is he being serious?” she asked, clearly annoyed. Quinten laughed awkwardly.
“Lucas this is Rachael, from my middle school. You met her at a few of my birthdays” he said. Oh, now the glare made a lot more sense. Had I gotten her with the bucket of water or paint? Quinten continued, interrupting my train of thought.
“This is Kaden, my roommate. This is his sister Jada and this is her roommate Keiko” he said pointing to the others. All three greeted me with small gestures, and I nodded before going back to my food.
They started talking again discussing the school and it’s facilities with wide eyes and talking about their teachers with such a cheery tone it made me feel ill. Quinten must’ve realised I wasn’t making an effort to join the conversation because he turned to me and loudly asked, “So what’d you like about the school so far?” I shrugged back in response.
"Come on Lucas. There's gotta be something" he said. Dammit he couldn't take a hint. Time to switch tactics.
“Nothing really. Actually, my homeroom teacher’s pretty hot” I replied.
“You are seriously so gross” Rachael said.
“Thanks” I replied cheerily. I went back to eating my food quickly. Hopefully that finished my food and stood up.
“Can you close your mouth when you eat” Quinten said. I sighed.
"Look man, just let me finish my food and I'll be on my way" I replied.
"What? To where?" Quinten said.
“Uh… can’t we just leave?” I asked.
“No, you idiot” Rachael spoke up, “You have to wait till lunch is over. We’re supposed to talk to each other”.
Oh. I sighed. I was trapped here. Great, just great.
"You don't have to sit with us, you know?” Keiko said, her tone slightly confrontational. It caught me off guard. She’d barely said anything before now. Hmm maybe I should play a little prank on them.
“Sorry if I'm acting weird. I just... want to go home” I mumbled, exaggerating the misery in my voice. Everyone’s expressions softened, even Rachael’s.
“Uh… it’s ok if you’re feeling homesick. We all are a bit” Rachael said, her voice comforting. I snickered, but covered my mouth.
“I just… sorry if I’m acting moody” I said, feigning tears.
“I-it’s ok! I didn’t, I didn’t mean to upset you” Keiko said panicked. I burst out laughing, and everyone around the table froze, there faces a mixture of confusion and surprise.
“Gotcha! Ah man, you guys should see your own faces right now! The way the mood shifted was so fucking funny” I said, chuckling.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Jada said, staring at me with a confused expression.
“Come on. How did nobody find that funny?” I replied. "You usually laugh at stuff like that" I said nudging Quinten with an elbow.
“Is he always like this?” Jaden asked turning to Quinten and Rachael.
“Yes” Rachael said without hesitation, whilst Quinten made a face.
“Oh come on guys, it was funny” I interjected.
“What about it that was funny?” Rachael said angrily.
“Why’re you so horrified? Did I hit a nerve or something?” I asked.
“Go die in a ditch” Rachael said.
“Whoa. That was completely uncalled for” I said with an exaggerated innocence.
“Oh shut up” Rachael replied.
“Geez” I said. The table fell silent, everyone giving me weird looks.
“Well, I can tell we’re I’m not wanted,” I said standing up.
“You can’t leave Lucas” Quinten said, exasperated.
“Eh, I’ll figure something out. Later losers” I replied, finishing the sentence with an exaggerated accent. I left my tray behind strolling over to the door. I'd glad I'd gotten out of there quickly. Weirdos. As I neared the doors a teacher stooped me.
“Uh, sorry but you’ll have to wait for your group’s called before you can leave” he said.
“Ah, no, I was late and Ms Jane wanted to talk to me about it during lunch” I replied. He frowned and checked his watch.
“She wanted me to get their a bit early, so she can get ready for her next lesson and eat” I added. He nodded, relaxing slightly.
“Do you need a teacher to take you there?” he asked.
“It's ok. It'll probably be quick. Thanks man” I said, before slipping through the door. Damn. It was that easy. I looked around before picking a random direction to head in. It was time to explore this place.