Salty Licorice

Chapter 32

Marisa's POV

"Oh shit, School shooter," I hear some kid nearly yelp as he steps to the side of the hall and out of my way dragging one of his friends with him.

I turn and look at him with a carefully practiced death glare and watch his face pale. I don't honestly know where they came up with the idea of me being a school shooter, I've never threatened to shoot up school till after they started calling me that. It started all the way back in freshman year, I guess I looked so pissed all the time and was on the verge of a manic episode or something. I'm not really sure anymore but this is my life now, so I use it to my advantage.

With this nickname people are too scared to find out the truth behind it so instead they all just avoid me and scurry away whenever I walk down the halls with a look of determination on my face. Makes getting to class easier whenever I have to step out of the art room for my limited mandatory classes, like anatomy.

When I get to class I walk to my desk as far in the back corner as the teacher would allow, and by that I mean the second row since the second week of school when I was caught sleeping or reading instead of paying attention. Not like I needed to listen, Avery would just do most of my work for me without realizing it. See if I 'ask for help' she will try teaching me but end up telling me all the answers unwittingly. She is really smart but sadly all that intelligence is at a loss when it comes to her social skills. If you asked her to answer some complicated math equation she's got it but the second she has to turn a girl down at lunch, she doesn't even know that the girl is asking her out.

Avery walks up and sits in the seat behind me in her assigned seat, poking me in the back repeatedly. I just ignore her and continue to read my book.

"Psst," Avery attempts a whisper but it just comes out more annoying than her normal voice. "Marisa hey."

"What do you want?" I mutter, utterly giving up on my sanity.

"Psst, Marisa," Avery repeats clearly, not having heard me.

I turn around abruptly catching her off guard, with a fake smile I say in a warm tone, "You rang dear."

"So did I tell you about what Liz said to me today?"

"Oh you have something amusing Liz told you, I bet I have one better," I deadpan remember her out of pocket comment outside the locker rooms.

"Well did you basically get friendzoned?" She asks.

"No, but did you get asked to join her and your best friend the next time they're 'intimate'."

"No, but I was called her best friend," She explains.

"Oh, that is kinda bad if it's in the context that I'm picturing," I cringe.

"Wait Liz asked you what?" Avery's brain finally catches up with the conversation.

"She was walking to the lockers after you two finished your little escapades if you will, I asked if she had fun and she proceeded to ask if I felt left out and that I should just join you guys next time," I raised an eyebrow at her.

"Weird, like she wants both of us?" She tilts her head in thought for a moment. "I mean that's different."

I go to explain further that it's not what she's thinking but the teacher interrupts me and I drop my head in defeat and turn back in my seat to face the front. I don't listen at all during his lecture and instead between nodding off and reading discreetly I doodle all over my work sheet. I should be answering the question, but instead I'm making a caricature of my pre balding polo shirt jort wearing, Anatomy teacher.

By the dismissal bell I notice Avery has only answered half the question which is unusual but I shrug it off and head out towards the hall with her following me aimlessly with her head still glued to her phone.