The Graduating Class of '09 (Class of '09 x Male Reader Insert)

Chapter 12 - 'Mania'

A/N: "Baller shot caller, dude." - Kylar, probably.

[November 14th, 2007. Tuesday]

>> Nicole's POV | Early Morning | Hallway | Outside Math Class <<

"That's why anime is just built different! I can put you on to some absolute bangers! Certified classics, no filler. Trust me, Nicole, you haven't lived until you've seen my top-tier picks."

Kill me now.

"Jeffrey, tell me something."

"What?"

"What's so good about animated television shows that don't care about your input?"

"Well, actually, Kazuki Nakashima personally responds to fan letters about Gurren Lagann, so yeah! I know I'm special just as any other fan. He acknowledges the real ones compared to the haters."

"Oh wow. Out of, what, millions of fans worldwide, what are the actual odds he takes your groundbreaking suggestions seriously?"

"Well.. I mean.. I don't-"

"Exactly. Statistically speaking, you're as valuable as a summer ant. A decimal point in a rounding error. What exactly makes you special?"

"But-"

"I'll tell you something, Jeffrey." My voice was calm, I could see his Adam's apple bob as he swallowed hard. "You're nothing more than a bug. Something to be crushed underfoot by those superior to you."

I grabbed his collar, yanking him close, but not enough for someone to assume we were about to kiss. His breath reeked of stale maple syrup. "But I'm not gonna give you that luxury. I'm gonna make damn sure you never even think about messing with me again." I leaned in, letting my breath ghost over his face, voice dropping to a whisper. "Now.. where the fuck is the photograph?"

His mouth flapped uselessly, eyes darting around like a rat caught in a glue trap. "T-The what? Uhh.. I-"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about." I cracked one knuckle, slow and deliberate, the sound cutting through the stale hallway air like the snap of a twig.

Jeffrey flinched so hard I thought he might faint on the spot. "I-IT WAS STOLEN FROM ME!" He scrambled to adjust his crooked glasses, hands trembling as he averted his gaze.

It made me sick.

"What..?"

"After I took it... someone else took it from me."

I stared. "By who?"

Jeffrey's entire body tensed, shoulders curling inward like he was trying to make himself smaller. "They... they said if I told anyone, they'd come and get me."

I let out a long, slow sigh, rubbing my temples.

"Oh, sup' Nicole. That Asian backward-reading bitch bothering you?"

Ah. Trody. Right place, right time. Perfect. I switched up my whole persona on the spot, going from mildly inconvenienced to full damsel-in-distress.

"Yeah, he won't shut the fuck up and leave me alone about anime again. Think you can kick his ass for me?"

Trody let out a long, exaggerated yawn, rolling his shoulders. "You don't even need to ask, but it's kinda early in the morning for this so I'll make this quick." Trody's nonchalant stare landed on the backpack nerd. "Alright, Jeff. Time to get beaten."

Jeffrey immediately shrank back, eyes darting between us like a cornered animal. "N-No, wait! It's a misunderstanding, really! Tell 'em, Nicole!"

I gave him the coldest, most disgusted look I could muster. "Sorry, I don't engage with people who treat broken English like a personality trait in anime forums.