Fall, Falling, Fallen

Jess

The second day of school always seemed like the worst. Everyone had gotten their first day's excitement and nerves out of the way and were simply bored and tired. Groups had settled once again in their normal spots and the remainders, like me, were picking out where we would make our mark. My first three hours had passed and I found myself once again sitting at a random lunch table. Everyone was with their groups as I pulled out my latest book and began eating the carrots mom had packed from the garden. I felt the table lurch and the carrot miss my mouth. A shadow appeared in front of me.

"Your name is Tilly, right?" A girl asked across from me.

I looked up seeing the other tenth grader in my English class sitting across from me, "Um, yeah."

"I thought so," she shrugged, "You're new."

"Yep," I said bookmarking my page and closing my book. "I'm sure you've gone to school with everyone here for years so I must stand out."

"In some ways," she shrugged, "You also just made quite your mark taking on Jack like that."

"Well, I didn't mean to make any sort of impression," I smirked. "Trust me, it was not my attention to stand out in any way."

"Anyways," The girl replied, "I'm Jess. The one other person Ms. Perkins had to single out."

Jess had almost black hair that was halfway down her back and was messily parted, but her eyes were sharp and dark.

"Tenth graders," I mocked, "The chosen ones."

"Oh yeah," Jess said. "I've just heard she is hard."

"What do you mean?" I asked Jess, "She seems nice at least."

"Well yeah," Jess, "But the way she teaches. Mr. Collins who teaches AP 11 just wants the standard response. Perkins, she wants a challenging and innovative look at every word we read."

"Well don't you want to be challenged?" I asked.

"Yes," Jess arched her eyebrows, "But I also want the good easy grade. I am not about to lose a perfect GPA. I would much prefer for a grade writing a standard easy response that is factual."

"I mean what we write is factual," I argued.

"Yes," Jess agreed, "But it's easier to write what is directly in the book rather than what's not in it. Don't you just prefer to get an easy A. Don't your parents care what grade you get?"

"I only have a mom," I shrugged, "And she definitely doesn't care. All she wants is for me to be learning."

"Interesting," Jess replied frowning with a nod, "I would have picked you to have ivy parents pushing you ahead."

"Yeah, no," I laughed, "My mom is about the opposite. Her only rule is don't be a prick. I take it your parents' care."

Jess rolled her eyes, "They had my script written from when I was conceived."

"Got it," I replied, "Hence the ahead in subjects."

"Yes," she replied, "I don't think they also realize that by doing that, I have lunch with the 11th and 12th graders so I don't even get to see any friends."

"Well, I have none so you are ahead of me there," I laughed.

"I'm sure you'll do fine," Jess replied, "Jack knows your name, so I'm sure that will attract many. Many are not a fan."