Everything Else

1

"Hi! My name is Fayette, nice to meet you! Come talk to me if you have any questions." I chirped for the fiftieth time. My high school was holding an Open House of sorts for the middle schoolers who might want to come here, and as the 12th grade ambassador it was my job to stand there, look happy to go to Treecrest School of Fine Arts, and answer questions. Don't get me wrong, I love my job, but sometimes it gets a little repetitive. This mom wants to know how advanced the dance program is; this 8th grader wants to know if the creative writing program is strong enough for her; this dad is asking about the theatre program; this random nerdy kid wants to know about the advanced math program...the list goes on. But I can answer pretty much every question, or when I can't I can direct people to someone to someone who can, without fail. You see, I know almost everybody personally if not by name, and at one time or another I have been involved with almost every program here. And besides, I'm brimming with school spirit. I really enjoy recruiting people to come to Treecrest. It doesn't bother me that I could be spending my Saturdays doing something else. I feel like I fit in among the recruiting folks. Anyway, all of a sudden at the end of the event, Principal Tarverson came scurrying up to me and somehow exclaimed quietly (everything he said sounded excited), "Ms. Merendsen! Fayette! I have big news!" I replied cheerily, "Lay it on me, Mr. Tarverson." He chirped, "We're hosting a group of British exchange students! They're coming tomorrow!" I said enthusiastically, "Well, that's great!" Then a bit less bubbly: "But...what has it got to do with me?" He happily answered, "I want you show them around, give them the famous Fayette Merendsen tour experience, you know?" Just as I was thinking Oh, that doesn't sound that different than what I usually do, he added: "And, if it's not too much trouble, it would be lovely if your group could sort of include them, you get me? You know, all that friendship stuff. Okay? Okay! I know you can do it!" As he bustled off, he called over his shoulder, "And they're coming early tomorrow, so be at school at...ehhhh...6:20ish? You're the best!" I sighed heavily. This was certainly a tall order. My mind was already swirling with things I had to do: print off enough brochures, review facts about the school, plan a route for the tour...whew. I had a long night ahead of me.

*****

When I got home, I texted my best friend Tyler: "CALL ME RIGHT NOW. BIG IMPORTANT NEWS!!!!" Instantly my phone started ringing. I picked up and said, "Hey, Tyler!" He responded, "Hey, Faye! Ooh, that rhymed!" I groaned, "Yeah, haven't heard that one a million times before..." He said, "Okay, okay. What's your news? I want all the deets. Oh my god, did Mason finally ask you out?" I shouted, "What?!" He hurriedly amended, "Forget I said anything. Anyway, spill the beans, girl!" I took a deep breath. "Ok, so you know how I'm the senior ambassador, right?" He said, "Yeah..." I continued, "And you know how I was at that open house thing tonight, right?" He replied, "Yeah..." I bit my lip and finished, "Well, Principal Tarverson came up to me and told me that Treecrest is hosting a group of British exchange students, and he wants me to give them the tour." Tyler was silent for a moment before exclaiming, "Jesus, Faye, that's fantastic! You're perfect for the job!" I nervously added, "Um, there's another little tidbit I forgot..." He suspiciously asked, "Oh, God, okay...what is it?" I was silent until Tyler yelled, "C'mon, out with it!" I sighed and mumbled, "Erm...Principal T. wants us to kind of let them into our group..." A thoughtful silence seems to seep from the other end of the phone into my ear. I asked hesitantly, "Do you think the Wise Guys are up for it?" The Wise Guys, naturally, is our "group", so to speak. The name is only used as an ironic clique name by the members of the group. Can you blame us? It consists of my three best friends ever (Kathleen DuVar, Prentiss McCarthy, and of course, Tyler Oakley) and my other closest friends (Parker Wendell, Warren LaRoux, Connor Franta, Lora Cormier, and Ruby Leeston). Anyway, Tyler scoffed, "Of course we are!" I then asked the question that had been nagging me for a while: "Do you think they'll want to be friends with us? I mean, what if they're, I don't know, cool kid material or something?" He reassured, "Who wouldn't want to be friends with a bunch of smart, slightly socially inept outcasts of society?" I sighed, "Well, when you put it like that..." Then I noticed how late it was. "Oh, shit, it's like 11:30 and I've got to get up early tomorrow...I'll talk to you tomorrow, Ty." He made a kissy sound into the phone and said, "Ok, bye girl!" I peeled off my school clothes, pulled on my pajamas, and fell into bed with dreams of tomorrow swirling around in my head.