Orange & Lollipop || GxG

Chapter 2: A Snake In The Classroom

Chapter 2: A Snake In The Classroom
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(Warning: Brief Mention of Self Harm @ End of Chapter)
Aspen POV

     "Huh?" That was all I had managed to say.

     Rowan smiled wider at me and pointed to her now dirty and cracked lollipop, "You owe me a new one." She had said it in the most nonchalant way ever. As if she wasn't mad but wasn't happy about it at the same time. Which was understandable.

     I glanced at the lollipop. It had a small piece of hair on it, along with dust from old clay. It was obvious that the janitors didn't clean this room over the summer. I looked back at Rowan, her eyes were questioning. Wondering if I agreed or not. It was something I wasn't used to. Most people assumed that I already agreed. The only person who hadn't... was Luca. I fiddled my fingers, "Okay. I'll get you one."

     She clasped her hands together and laid her cheek on them, "Aww, you're so nice. What's your name?"

     "Aspen." When she didn't speak and just gazed at me, I realized that she wanted a last name. I continued, "Chantelle."

     She nodded her head in approval but then said, "I think I've heard your last name before. Are you related to Lu-"

     A timer in the front of the classroom cut her off. Mx. Pax announced that we would now change our seats. I was grateful for the distraction. I quickly grabbed my bag and orange, moving to another table before Rowan could say anything else. The next table I sat at was closer to the teacher's desk. There were already what looked like two girls and a boy there. One of the girls whispered in her friend's ear as she side looked at me. The boy glanced at me once before typing away at his phone. I sighed. I kinda wished I had stayed with Rowan a bit longer. This cycle of staring and whispering lasted until the end of class. I was relieved when the bell rang. Being here was starting to get suffocating. I rushed out of my seat throwing the half peeled half smushed orange in the trash next to the teacher's desk. Before I could leave someone called me. I turned around to see Mx. Pax smiling at the front of the classroom. I fiddled my fingers as I walked towards them. Was I in trouble?

     They sat down on one of the tables and swung their legs. At this moment, they didn't look like a teacher and I felt a bit more comfortable. They spoke first, "I noticed that you don't quite get along with everyone else." Wow, they got straight to the point.

     I nodded my head at their statement. It was no secret that I didn't get along with others. Even before the rumors started it was hard for me. When I was little I had an accent that people would tease me for. This resulted in me speaking less. Amari went through the same thing, but instead she spoke more. She got more friends while I had less. Before the rumors, I had about three friends, but they left. The only one who stayed was Talia.

     Mx. Pax sighed, "If it makes you more comfortable. You can sit next to my desk. I won't force you to socialize the next two days." I was surprised by their statement. Wouldn't that be unfair to the rest of the class? I twiddled my fingers. Before nodding my head once again. Even if it was a bit unfair I really didn't want to socialize with people I knew didn't like me.

     "Thank you," I thanked them. They smiled and said, "Great! That was all I had to speak about. You can get to your next class now. Please put the door stopper in on your way out."

     I did as they said and headed to my next class. I made it to my Senior English class right before the bell rang. The teacher wasn't there yet. I noticed Talia in the back row, waving at me. I sat in the empty seat next to her. "What took you so long?"

     "I got held up in my last class. You knew I was coming?"

     She thumbs up me, "Yep, I checked your schedule after I checked mine." I nodded my head. That was understandable. She continued to talk, "The teacher went out to use the bathroom. Her name is Mrs. Jason. Look it's right there on the board" she pointed her finger, "I was shocked to see that she was a Mrs. She looks so much like a man! What type of man would marry someone looking like her? I really think..."