trees + vine, a separate peace au

flo's september pt.1

"Is there anything worse than the first day of school?" I groan to Clara as I roll over in my bed.

"What do you mean? The first day is always so exciting! You get to know a new schedule, write in your notebooks for the first time. And it's our senior year, Flo!" She exclaims. Clara loves school- it's like her passion. 

"As you've said." I roll my eyes playfully. "If being seniors is some big thing, then why do I even have to come to the first day in the first place?"

"Because it's the first day." She takes my hands in hers and looks expectantly at me. "So, what's your first class?"

"IB Bio. Ugh." I stick out my tongue and slowly get out of bed. 

"I thought you liked biology." 

"I do. Just don't like getting up for it." I fake frown.  "Is it too much to ask you to come to all of my classes with me?"

Clara laughs. "I'm not sure Mrs. Clarke would appreciate someone who barely passed physical science in her advanced-level biology class. Anyways, I have newspaper first period, and need to see if Wheeler will let me do a piece on the Plutos' newest member."

"I'm not sure the Dean will appreciate a piece in the Daily about a barely school-sanctioned band that does almost all of its shows after curfew in 'no-no' areas of campus." I say to her, half joking. I'm not wrong either- it's no secret that the Dean isn't our biggest fans, but since he can't technically do anything to us without doing something to Leper, who happens to be the child of the school's biggest donor, we slip under the curtain of discipline very easily. 

"Mmm that's true, but doesn't mean I can't try! And the Daily's done pieces on us before, so really what's one more?"

"I guess that's true. I need Tuesday to come quicker, I'm itching to drum. Ooh- maybe I'll go down to the music wing instead of going to biology today!"

"Florence Whitney Thayer! You're attending biology and you're going to like it." She yells at me.

"Fine mom. I will." 

As soon as I can get into biology, I can see that this whole 'liking' it thing might be a little difficult. None of my friends are in this class, which, while I knew that ahead of time, it feels much more evident. As soon as I hear Mrs. Clarke tell us that she's going to list off our lab partners for the year, I have to force myself to not roll my eyes or make any other sort of sudden movement.

"Lepellier, Evelyn and Thayer, Florence- last table in the first row." Mrs. Clarke announces.

To be fair, Evelyn's probably my best option out of everyone here, so I'm not too mad. Honestly, I don't really know too much about her. Despite being Lep's sister and Brin's girlfriend, our paths haven't really crossed much. She comes to shows, sure, but hangs out in what the Scooby gang refers to as  "Brin's 'other' crowd"- the one that consists of cheerleaders, such as Evelyn, and other jocks. Still, I've only heard good things about her, and she must be smart if she's in here, so I can't be upset. 

"Hi Evelyn." I introduce myself.

"Hi! I've seen you play with my brother. You guys are really good." She smiles. I notice that her voice is sweet, but warm. It's the kind of voice you'd want telling you anything- no matter what kind of news it might be.

"Thanks. So... Biology, huh?" I joke.

"Yes. I've heard it's quite exciting stuff. Matter, atoms, and all that." She trails off, fiddling with a beaker on the table.

"Oh yeah, of course. Totally wouldn't want to be doing anything else." My comment makes her laugh. 

"My thoughts exactly. So, we should probably exchange numbers or something, so that we can text about assignments or labs for the school year." She says, holding her phone out at me so that I can put my number in.