Overlap

Chapter 8: A Different Form of Popularity

<10/07/2009 - 11:50 | Saffrin Middle School (Lunch), Austell, GA, USA>

Despite how much time passed by, nothing seemed to change about me since what happened before. My obsession of the skies still lingered, though it felt less powerful whenever my emotions were high for the specific reason of being as feminine as possible. That hasn't begun to change either; instead it has only become far stronger. As for my hatred against men driving that attitude, it's still there and holding on.

I would glare with murderous desire every time I passed one in the halls, and wish for a burning meteorite to smash down into the boys' locker room every time I had to change clothes in gym class. But overall, those feelings never kept me in a good mood, and I wanted nothing more than my spirits to run higher. That was the whole reason I chose to be this way in the first place, to be happier, to be myself even though it felt weird sometimes.

"I would absolutely love it!" Even my voice and attitude were as giddy as possible, not that I had to fake any bit of it. My response was directed to Banarus speaking among her larger circle of friends at the bigger lunch table. Even in a crowded place like this, I sat only by the girls. There were times where Banarus or the others would shoo me away, but even then, I sat next to strangers if the table allowed me to, or by myself if the only alternative was to six next to those disgusting monsters. Even when some men would sit with the same circle of girls I was used to hanging around, I would tolerate their presence, sometimes.

Banarus wanted to laugh, but it was still something to get used to, seeing me so enthusiastic and energetic by the very idea of going with random people to the Mall. After a month of this, it should be obvious that I was not playacting, and no boy would do this just to fawn over anyone either. My emotions were real, genuine excitement to get my shopping on.

Who wouldn't be excited about a trip to the mall? I have been there several times, but all of the times in the past were different than what was being proposed. I used to go, but only because my mother forced me and my brother to go. I hated that, because she would always take five times longer than what I would ever take. But even to go to the mall and buy nothing, if only to browse and hang out with people I can call friends, just that opportunity was one I would never turn down.

"Anyway..." Though she had been talking to the group for some time after my outburst, Veronica continued on with the small tale she was telling about her pet dog. "After I started cleaning it, I couldn't believe what I saw! This dog has the biggest pair of balls I have ever seen!" While her statement forced Banarus to splash milk from her nose, my reaction to hearing that was an interesting effort of pretending not to hear a word.

Of course I would pretend not to hear that! What is she, nuts? The last thing I want to hear about is a giant sack of nuts, be it called brass clankers or jiggly bits! This is just great. The highlight of my day is hearing Veronica talking about her dog's scrotum. Why is she bringing it up anyway? Is it that impressive?

"No seriously!" she pleaded paying most attention to me given my unfortunate reaction. "My dog's balls were this big! I'm like, damn!" She even cupped her hands together to show off relative size. Given the circumstances, they were much bigger than an average pair, so it makes sense to why she was surprised.

"Having fun Reed? You know you love talking about this stuff!" Patting me on the back with a masochist smile, Banarus really laid the situation on thick the moment my facial expression darkened in the mood, since this is one girly conversation I didn't want to be part of.

Of course she would rub it in... All I could was mouth off as usual. "If only we were more well-mannered. To think the topic of dog balls would come up as we were eating." To some surprise however, the others were laughing, not just at my pain, but also based on what I said. Not that it mattered much since I wanted the subject to change already.