Turn the Lights Off (under revisions)

Chapter 3

So, my first day hasn't been going as well as I expected. I wasn't expecting much, but I've learned that there are twenty-seven slurs for "human," and about four million different ways to make my name into some sick joke. Physical bullying isn't in, but emotional bullying is. Luckily for me, I've been around the block a few times, so I know every trick they have up their sleeves.

At lunch, I expected to sit by myself in some dark corner. Instead, my roommate, the gorgon whose name I laughed at, calls me over.

I'm not used to talking to people at lunch. I don't particularly like people watching me while I eat, but Deuce insisted on making conversation.

"So, how has your first night been?" he starts cheerfully. "I hope nobody's been giving you too much trouble."

I shrug, choking down a bite of the green sludge the cafeteria served.

"I can't imagine being a normie here!" Heath rudely adds. "There was a lot of push back about Clawdeen, who's half-human if you can believe it, but I can't imagine the kind of things--"

Heath flinches as though kicked from under the table and he closed his mouth.

"I'm sure coming here was certainly... an odd choice," Deuce says in an attempt to bring the conversation back to light-hearted. "It was probably a hard decision, right?"

I shrug again and put down my fork. "It felt like the only choice I could make."

He raises an eyebrow like he wants to ask why that is but doesn't ask because he doesn't want to know. He's not aware that I'm on the run from the police and I need to lie low. He probably doesn't want to know.

"So, have you thought of joining any clubs yet?" Clawd asks, coming over and inserting himself into the conversation.

"No," I answer truthfully, avoiding his eyes.

"You should join the Creepy Crawly club!" he beams, shoving a flyer in my face.

I flinch at the movement, then shudder at the thought. "I'm not a fan of bugs," I respond blankly.

"They're not so bad when they're behind a glass, and these are monster species. Most of them have cool powers," he presses on.

"No thanks," I say, turning him down again.

Heath snaps his fingers. "You should join the Ghoul-Wraith Alliance club!"

"Nope, already turned them down," I tell him, choking down another bite of my lunch.

"Toralei recently quite the fearleading squad to start up a group of 'Mathletes' that's competitive math," Deuce inputs. "That sounds like it would be right up your alley."

"Maybe," I respond, mulling it over while trying not to throw up the meal my stomach is disagreeing with.

Pros: competitive, new, academics-oriented, doesn't have any of these losers in it

Cons: may be too competitive, possible it could be shut down, I may not like the people, definitively uncool

"That'd be worth a shot, I suppose," I say finally.

"Cool! I'll put in a good word," Deuce beams. "I have Botany with her next period."

I roll my eyes at the very thought of botany. Plants are too slow for me. I like to conduct experiments on living things, but I don't like having to wait three weeks to find out I'm overdosing my patients. I like it better when they just throw up or pass out. It's more mess but less fuss and more instantaneous. I've also just never gotten the hang of plants. At least I can tell when an animal is dying.

"That sounds dead boring," Heath says, but he flinches again--probably another kick from under the table--and immediately pivots to say, "but it sounds like you'll have a lot of fun with it."

"Thanks," I mutter, fearing if I open my mouth any wider, I'll puke up whatever "meat surprise" is. Whoever thought of serving this anyway?