Love isn't easy

Chapter 16: November 2030

November 2030

"Don't forget that your midterm is fifty percent of your grade. Take it seriously."

The middle-aged teacher points to the grading breakdown she had written on the smartboard.

A school bell rings.

The moment it does, the approximately two dozen students who seconds ago sat in absolute silence suddenly erupt in loud chatter.

Fifteen-year-old Coraline hastily stuffs her AP US History textbook into her backpack craving to get out of there as soon as possible. Once her backpack is closed, she hurriedly throws her heavy coat over her regulation uniform.

Coraline hated that uniform more than she could ever fully express and could never cover it soon enough. She resented the fact that the girls were required to wear a knee-length pleated skirt, navy blue socks, a navy blue cardigan, a white or wine-red button-down shirt, and a clip-on tie. It was all too much and all too uncomfortable. The main reason Coraline looked forward to the weekends was because she didn't have to see people wearing that eye sore for two days.

Once her coat is zipped, Coraline throws a single backpack strap over her shoulder, and heads for the door. 

—

A tight-knit group of more than mildly attractive sophomore girls converges in the hallway after having separate class periods. Coraline moves up to the ground floor two steps at a time after taking classes in one of the classrooms on the lower levels. Taylor and Fiona exit a meeting room on the left, Roma runs down the stairs avoiding whoever got in her way, and Denae walks from her locker on the right side of the expansive hallway.

"That was boring as fuck."

Fiona half groans at her closest girl friends once they all meet up. They all seem to share the sentiment about their respective classes.

"Smoke break?"

Roma looks around the group.

"Please! I need one after spending two whole hours with Mr. Ginsburg."

Denae chips in. The rest of the girls laugh and they begin moving.

"Can I bum one from one of you? I had to sit on my pack. My mom walked into the room when I had them on the bed. They're fucked and I haven't had a chance to get more."

Fiona asks the group as Coraline interlocks her arms with her friend.

"Duh. As many as you want."

Taylor throws Fiona her full pack of black Camel Crush. Fiona looks at her and winks.

"Love you!"

The fivesome makes a left at the end of the hallway and heads for the back of the main campus where the new science building is being erected. They usually hang out by the construction debris during their free periods or when they want to skip class. No one ever bothers them there.

The girls chat animated as they walk. They turn the corner that should've led them to a quiet and familiar spot, but instead, they come across five of the rowdiest junior guys being loud while loitering in what should have been their super-secret hideout.

Dax, Connor, Makai, Sterling, and Dominic roughhouse around the minuscule pile of snow that the dryer-than-usual winter has gifted them with until they notice the girls. Dax whistles.

"Eyo. If one of you wants to have fun I have the next two periods free and I'm packing."

Dax grabs his genitals forcefully and rattles them crassly in their direction.