Right Side of My Neck

Chapter 2

Friends and Enemies (kinda)

1.8k words

After what felt like forever, they got to the building, already 5 minutes late for homeroom.

Now the only thing left was for them to actually find their classrooms. Or classroom in this case. Because as cliché as it is, Lynn and Claire were actually homeroom classmates, both in Mrs. Johnson's homeroom class. After walking for about a minute, they reached the classroom and were met with 30 other pairs of eyes, most, if not all of them, looking at Lynn. "Ms Loud. Late on the FIRST day? Oh what am I kidding I shouldn't even be surprised. Take your seat." Claire watched as Lynn rolled her eyes, roughly putting her backpack down on the nearest seat she could fine and sat down, slightly slouching while mumbling to herself about how annoying it was that she had Mrs. Johnson again this year.

After Mrs. Johnson saw Lynn take her seat, she was about to continue talking about any announcements made that year, when she saw a figure standing still at the corner of the classroom. She was about to brush it off until she noticed it was a student. "Hello? Sweetheart are you in the wrong classroom?" She queried calling out to the young girl. And suddenly everyone's eyes were on her. "I didn't----want----sit-----else's seat." Claire mentally punched herself for not even being able to respond properly to a simple question. Great, now everyone's gonna think you're a fucking wimp. I mean you are but- doesn't matter oh my god that was so embarrassing I wanna drop dead right here right now seriously.

The teacher at the front furrowed her brows, struggling to understand the very quiet mumble she got in response. After a few seconds of silence, the bell rang, meaning it was time to get your things for the next period. Her classmates pushed pass Claire as she tried to make her way into the corridor but she was called over by her adviser. "Sweetie, what's your name? I don't think I've seen you around the school before?" The tall women asked with crossed arms. "Oh I'm a new student Ma'am. Just uh transferred from the Riverside Boarding School over at Riverside. Ma'am." She said trying to seem stern even though she already gave them a weak first impression. "Ah I see, well welcome to Royal Woods High School! I saw you didn't have a place to sit, so just sit over there every homeroom okay? And here's a map, so you won't be late next time, I know how hard it is transferring schools." She said with a warm smile, pointing to the seat at the very middle, at the very front. She then greeted the students shuffling into the room which reminded Claire that she had to get to Computer class. She sped walk to the computer room with the help of the map Mrs. Johnson gave her. Right as she sat down on one of the chairs at the back to catch her breath, she was able to make it to class 3 minutes early. But surprisingly there was only her and one another person in the room.

She sat a bit closer to the person as she didn't want to be alone at the back of a dark room only illuminated by the flat screen TV in front of them. She kept fidgeting with her fingers wondering whether or not she should approach this guy, but after a few glances she noticed he looked oddly familiar. Finally she worked up the courage to pass him a note. 'hi! Super weird to be sending you this notes bcs i don't even know u but by any chance were you a student at riverside boarding school? Sorry ik this is kinda sudden lol u don't have to answer if u don't want to' She saw that he saw her give him the note, hell he was even looking right at it. She started getting anxious and even a little embarrassed. I knew I shouldn't have even given him that goddamn note I'm seriously never gonna try to talk to anyone ever again. This is the end of my life. I cannot anymore this day is the wo- "Yea." She heard him speak, so she turned to look at him and he looked right back at her. "Yea I went there. Why? Do I owe you money or something?" He asked, with a hint of annoyance in his tone. "Oh uhm no just asking." "Ok but why" "I just thought you looked familiar and that's the only school I've been to my entire life so.." "Kay" Since clearly both the students and teacher were running late, she decided to try and continue their "conversation." "So what group were you in?" He let out a deep sigh and replied, taking off his headphones. "Rivulet." "Omg serious?? Me too!" Claire said a bit excitedly and kind of loudly too. This time, the guy had fully turned to face her, "What class did you have?" "I had Mr. Fido's class last year, you?" "Ms. Barbara, but I had Mr. Fido the year before, worst year of my life." "Oh my God I swear I was coughing every time he came up to ask me a question, he LITREALLY smelled like a sewage system." The guy couldn't contain his laughter, he let out one singular guffaw and agreed with her. "You know what really smelt bad? Ms. Bonamin's hair products. She can afford all those fancy clothes but not proper shampoo?" This led to Claire letting out the ugliest cackle, and she didn't even cackle?? The newly found acquaintance just chuckled in response to her covering her mouth in shock of the horrendous sound she just made. "Miles, Miles Johnson." He held out his hand for her to shake which she gladly shook in response. Damn his hands are huge. "Claire McBride" The bell then rang, a lot of students started shuffling inside.

The first two periods felt so long honestly. But what made it better was that she now had an acquaintance at least. Miles Johnson. Even better, Miles and her actually had basically the same schedule, except AP French for Claire was AP Latin for Miles, her AP Math classes were his regular math classes, and her free periods were his extra math classes.

"Yo Miles, who's she?" Yelled a guy who was running towards the pair. The both turned to look at the sweaty, out of breath teen in front of them. "Oh this is Claire. She's our friend now and we have the same classes. Looks like they gave all us private school transfers the same sched and called it a day." Miles replied nonchalantly while handing a bottle of water to his friend. "Cooooooool. I'm Liam. Nice to meet ya Claire." "Hi Liam" Claire said, sending a small wave. The three conversed about their old school till they reached the cafeteria, waiting in line for their food.

"So why'd you two transfer?" The girl asked while chewing on the sandwich her fathers packed for her. "You answer then I'll answer" Liam said with a grin on his face, hints of broccoli evident in his teeth. "Oh me? Uh my dads wanted me to experience going to school where they went to school. Meet someone, fall in love, get married, have 2 kids, repeat. Or something like that I guess. And to be honest, there isn't really anyone nice in our old school. They're all snobby ass rich kids who date within their friend groups." She shrugged and continued eating her food. "oooo We got expelled!" Liam said, now playing with his pudding, causing some of it to get on Miles' face. "Dude cut that out. But yea we got expelled, pranks on teachers, a few classmates, yknow that one time everyone at the year-end dance got mono? We spat into the punch." Miles chuckled at the memory while wiping some chocolate pudding off his face. "Jesus Christ that was you guys??? My parents thought I'd been doing something else in my dorms. Thank god they believed me when I said it was probably something in the food." A moment of silence passed because everyone was immersed in their food. "Hey Claire-bear, is that you REAL hair color? It's sooo cool." The brunette had asked the light haired girl in front of him. "Oh- yes, yes it is! Thank you. I actually do have a wig supplier though, in case I wanna switch things up, I'm going there on Friday if you'd like to come?" "Ohhh yea for sure for sureeee, Miles you better come with us." "Aye I was already planning to." They all smiled as they finished their food.

They all started busing their trays. Someone at the front was taking incredibly long though. "Imma go check it out, Liam hold my tray." "Kaykay.." "Oh me too, Liam, here, thank youuu"

They walked to the front and saw..Lynn?? "Lynn??" Claire mumbled. "You know that girl?" Miles asked her. "Kinda.." "Skipping the line is against school cafeteria rules, Lynn Loud Junior you should know this!" A blonde girl said, clearly trying to stay calm but obviously already losing her temper. "How bout you stop BEING SO SLOW MAYBE I WOULDN'T HAVE TO SKIP! WE GOT PLACES TO GO TO NATALIE" Lynn ended the sentence in a mocking tone which definitely sent Natalie over edge.

So Natalie slapped her.

Lynn's face turned to the ground, face flushed with anger, she mustered all her strength to pull Natalie's hair.

"OW"

Lynn was happy with what she did when she realized the girl who was rubbing her head in front of her was NOT Natalie.

It was Clyde's older sister.

"oh shit"

The little priss pulled Clyde's older sister to cover for her? Fuckin pussy. OH SHIT WAIT This is CLYDE'S OLDER SISTER.

"LYNN LOUD. PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE NOW. SOMEONE BRING MS MCBRIDE TO THE CLINIC!"

I am fuuuuucked.

"Ms Loud, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING??" The principal's carefree, calm self was now angry and composed. Ohhh Lynn did NOT like this. "Listen teach I-" "You know what I do not even WANT to hear this. A TRANSFER? An innocent TRANSFER? You KNOW BETTER Lynn. Detention, one whole week. And I know you're quick to make enemies, so we are nipping this in the bud. You will be Ms McBride's buddy system for the rest of the first quarter." "BUT I-" "NO BUTS. No buts. You will accompany her to each and every class, you will wait for each other after dismissal and clubs, AND you will do every class project together as a pair if needed. Understood?" "No. I-" "Good. Now go to class. I'm gonna have a little chat with your parents."

"I hate this school." Lynn mumbled. The 7th graders waiting outside the hall stared at her. She just glared at them which seemingly scared them and went on her way to class, kicking a few trashcans "in the way".

"Nice of you to join us Ms. Loud."