Seven

Snap

After homeroom, Natalie had World History. She enjoyed the class but their teacher had just left on maternity leave, and subs in a small school district were rather unpredictable.

Having put her backpack in her locker between bells, Natalie sat down in her usual seat, third in the second column, the most inconspicuous place in the room. She starred at the blackboard, in other words, nothing in particular, until their sub walked in.

A middle-aged man, early to mid thirties with a slightly receding hairline, nothing interesting to deduce from that.

"Hello everyone I am your sub Mr. Marks, you may call me any variation of that you please." He smiled widely, maybe he was one of those teachers who tried to be cool, Natalie thought, lets see how he does.

"I give homework every night." The class groaned. "But I like to think of it as fun homework, that requires you to research current events, things your interested in." Natalie frowned, she had an extensive library at home that she used for research, but current events? Would she have to ride ten extra miles to the library everyday?

"Now, does anyone not have access to a computer or a smart phone." Mr. Marks continued. Natalie could tell it was a rhetorical question, he didn't expect anyone not to have access to either. Unfortunately the entire class knew of her living situation and they all looked at her, so she felt obligated to raise her hand. Sometimes she really hated living in such a small district, everyone knew each other's business.

"You don't have a computer Miss..."

"Harting." Natalie said. "No I don't."

"Or a phone?"

" I have a flip phone." A few people snickered and Natalie wished she could just disappear like the Seven. Of course it was that moment when they chose to appear.

"They are being awfully rude." One said with a frown. "Do ignore them Miss Harting, you are clearly the superior one here, at least in maturity." Natalie tried not to show she had heard One speak, but the corner of her mouth twitched up into a small smile, momentarily.

"Oh, well..." Mr. Marks seemed uncertain of what to do.

"She lives in the old Shel castle." One of Natalie's classmate, a girl named Kate said.

"That's not your information to share!" Two said angrily, while Natalie glared at the little twit.

"She doesn't even have indoor plumbing!" Said a boy named Shane who enjoyed exaggerating.

"I do too!" Natalie shouted, standing up, as people continued to laugh.

"Now, now, Natalie dear, sit down, you're making a fuss over nothing." Six said, placing a ghostly hand on her shoulder. Natalie moved her shoulder as if trying to shake a real person off. She realized it must have looked like she spasmed.

"Everyone calm down!" Mr. Marks shouted. The silence was rather sudden, but he had been rather loud. "Sit." they did, even Natalie reluctantly.

"Miss Harting I will speak with you after class." He continued. "Now I'd like to put all your names to faces and learn any nicknames." Natalie zoned out at this point, she really didn't care what people called her. Well, that wasn't entirely true but she liked to believe it was.

"Natalie do you have a nickname?" Natalie was startled out of her daze. She had been mindlessly watching Three try to scrape his fingernails down the blackboard but he just kept going through it.

"Umm no." Natalie said just a Shane spoke up.

"Yeah we call her Nat because she's just there hovering in the background and never goes away, a real pest." He teased. Natalie rolled her eyes and ground her teeth. Four went over to the real pest that was Shane and pretended to bash the boy's skull in with his own head. Once again, Natalie tried not to react, but couldn't hold in a snort.