Dancing in the Rain

Chapter Ten: The Art of Being a Laughing Stock

Chapter Ten: The Art of Being a Laughing Stock

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 Rob’s Point of View

"Hey, faggot."

 The legs on my chair squeal as I turn around, fastening a glare on the heavyset jock behind me.

 "Excuse me?" I snap, rubbing the back of my head where a crumpled up piece of paper had just hit a few moments ago.

 He crumples up another sheet and tosses it at me, but I dodge it this time. "What, are you deaf too? I said Hey Faggot." The other guys around him and a few girls start laughing.

 I can feel anger flare up in my chest. "Thank you for that revelation. I do believe I am a bundle of sticks."

 The guy just looks confused, and it's my turn to laugh. I’m returned with blank stares and silence.

 "What? It's the real definition." I say lightly, and turn back around.

 "Ugh, what a wiseass." A girl behind me says and I resist laughing some more.

 “Call me wiseass all you want, chick. It’s not gonna stop you from being a dumb one.”

 “Robert Weston. Eyes on your own paper.” Ms.Page barks from across the room, and I duck my head down, eyes returning to my own desk.

 ○ ● ◦ ● ◌

 Taylor’s Point of View

 “So...how have things been lately with you two?”

 Rob is the first one to break the silence. Finally. It’s fifteen minutes through the lunch period and none of us have said a word.

 Hunter shrugs and just shoves a forkful of rice in his mouth. Rob looks at me expectantly.

 “They’ve been fine.” I say, but I don’t make eye contact.

 Rob starts to say something, but I interrupt. “What about you?”

 He blinks several times quickly, thinking. “Well. Good I guess. Some guy called me a faggot in 4th period. Other than that though I’m pretty--”

 I nearly choke on my soda. “Wait, what!?”

 He casually takes a sip from his straw. “Yeah. I just thanked them and told them that I was, indeed, a bundle of sticks.”

 “Rob...that’s not cool...you...”

 “Taylor, you might as well get used to it. High Schoolers can be cruel.” Heather sighs from across the table.

 We’re all silent again for a few moments.

 “She is used to it.” Hunter cuts in before I can respond.

I glance over at him. Why is he defending me? Aren't we having some awkward post-kiss silent treatment going on here? After all, me freaking out and sprinting away from him that night wouldn’t exactly make him want to have any sort of conversation with me, would it?

 “I know. Rob gave me a detailed explanation.” Her gaze flickers over him for a moment before returning back to me. “I just don’t know how you expected anything better at this school.”

 “Guys, chill out. Some guy called me a name. That’s it--”

 “Hey gaylord.” A high, nasally voice interrupts Rob. We all look up to see a tall girl in a volleyball uniform, with her blonde hair pulled up in a high bun, walking away.