Mr. Lee began to talk about what the year would cover. Colour theory and different mediums that we would use for our projects. This year would be more technical, apparently, which was fine by me. I already knew most of this stuff. At least this class would go well.
When the bell rang, I started gathering up my notes. Next up was math. I wondered who’d be in that class. See, this is what really sucks about the first day of school. It’s a whole new year, with new classes, and you get to see who you’re going to have to deal with for the rest of it, who’s going to make fun of you when you walk in and out, who’s going to snicker every time you’re called on to answer a question. And who you’re likely to end up with at the dreaded moment when the teacher says, inevitably, “Partner up!” I was always one of the people who would have to raise their hand when the teacher asked who didn’t have a partner. I would end up working with some nerd, but I never minded that part of it. Nerds are smart, and I’m pretty smart too, and we’d get a good mark on whatever the assignment was, and there was no chit-chat bullshit. What bothered me was that moment of having to raise your hand and declare to the class that you are a loser with no friends. I don’t understand why teachers do that. It’s so damn segregating. They may as well just say, “Raise your hand if you have no friends and no one here likes you.”
I was mulling this over when I noticed that the girl I’d been sitting with was staring at me expectantly. I realized she must’ve said something, but I’d been so lost in thought I hadn’t heard it. I cleared my throat like some nervous public speaker. “Uh, pardon?”
“Oh, I just said, ‘See you tomorrow,’” she repeated, and smiled. I sat there as she gathered her things and walked out of the classroom.
As I left the room a few moments later, I kicked myself for not having smiled back or replied in some pleasant way.
xXx
The rest of the classes were the usual. The only class I shared with Brandi was math, a blessing because math is not a “social” class. It’s dead quiet with a serious teacher, usually. And she didn’t even bother making fun of me when she saw me, because she was trying to leech on to some guy she thought was hot.
Leaving school at the end of that first day, I noticed a guy in the hallway. I hadn’t seen him last year. He looked a couple of grades older and was by himself. His hair was long, light brown, almost to his waist. And he was wearing a Bloodvomit shirt. I hadn’t seen a scowl like his other than on Balthazar Seizure’s face. I’d have to find out his name somehow.
xXx
I got to know the girl who’d talked to me that first day as the school year got underway. When we were left to work for the rest of the period on our colour wheels, she struck up a conversation.
“So my name’s Josephine,” she said casually, after Mr. Lee had handed out the paintbrushes.
“I’m Rachel.” I hoped I sounded as casual as she did. It’s so stupid: I am not an awkward person. I can communicate. I’m not stunted. But in school, I was just so damn uncertain and at that point, I was so used to being by myself, and I guess part of me really did want a friend.
“I just transferred here from Our Lady of Heaven. My family moved and it was too far to go there. Do you know anyone from there?”
I certainly didn’t know anyone from the Catholic high school. I mean, I didn’t even know anyone from this school. “Nope.”
“I still have a bunch of friends there, but I’m glad I’m not there anymore. All the religious stuff, it was just stupid.”
I nodded, dipping my brush into the red paint.
“My family isn’t that religious or anything,” Josephine continued. “We don’t go to church. It’s just that Our Lady was in our district. You wouldn’t believe how much they talk about God and stuff at that school. Every morning you pray first thing. And you have to take religion, it’s not an elective. They treat it like it’s as important as science and English. You have to go to Mass. I sure won’t miss that. And it’s also nice not having to wear that stupid uniform.”