Homestuck Fanfic

III - Laarai

   I am still smiling when I walk into history. I've almost made it through the first half of the day. Most of my classes were tolerable, and art was amazing. I didn't think that anyone would like me, but Tess seems to. I don't understand why anybody would want my help with their art, but it was nice of her to ask. I can't believe that she would ask me to paint a carving of hers! They look like they mean a lot to her; why would she let me even touch one? I will probably just ruin it while I'm painting, but I guess I'll give it a shot. It seems like a lot of fun, and I feel honored that she would even consider letting me.
   I sit down at a desk in the back corner and take out my sketchbook. I begin a rough sketch of Nepeta while I wait for the second bell to ring. About three minutes before it's supposed to, though, a large man steps out from behind the wooden desk in front. He glares at a few kids just coming in through the door. "I'm going to have to mark you two as late. Don't let it happen again."
   They walk towards me, and I can hear the boy muttering under his breath. "We're not even close to being late. Fucking teacher just wants an excuse to yell at me. Hey! That's my seat." The last part is directed at me. I stand up hastily, knocking over my bag in the process. "I'm really sorry, I didn't know we had assigned seats."
   "Well obviously we have assigned seats, they're up on the board." A quick glance up shows that there is, in fact, a seating chart. My olive green blood rushes to my face and I move out of his way. "I'm sorry," I repeat.
   The girl puts a hand on the boy's arm. "Don't be so rude, Dave. It's clear that she's new here." She extends her hand for me to shake. "My name is Rose. Please allow me to apologize for my brother. I think that Dirk has been telling him rumors about this teacher to scare him, which would explain why he's in such a bad mood." She rolls her eyes.
   I shake her hand, relieved that she, at least, doesn't seem angry. "I'm Laarai."
   "All three of you! Sit down, I'm about to start class," the teacher yells from across the room. I look up at the board and find my seat in the center of the  first row. I'm absolutely positive that I can hear all the other kids giggling. Keeping my head down seems like the safest option for now.
    I don't look up all through the lesson. I just jot down my notes and wish that I didn't have to sit all the way in the front. Everything goes smoothly until a shadow falls across my desk.
   Mr. ______ is standing over me like a vulture looking for it's next meal. "Well, Laarai, do you know the answer?" I try to tell him that trolls first came to Earth in 2004, but it's like I can't speak.
   He grins when he sees my discomfort. "Speak up, Laarai, I don't think the people in the back can hear you. In fact, you should stand and look at them." I get up reluctantly and turn to face everyone. My mouth feels dry. How many people are there? 20? 25? And they're all looking at me, waiting for me to talk to them. "I-" I stutter, "In..."
   "Why so shy? Aren't trolls supposed to be strong?" Suddenly, I flash back to a day years ago, when I was nine. I remember it so clearly. I had just prototyped my lusus so she could talk, so it was one of the first things she ever said to me. "Why are you so shy? If trolls still lived on Alternia you would have been culled by now." I had felt betrayed, and somehow even more alone than when she couldn't speak.
   I freeze and wrap my arms around myself, trying to fight off unexpected tears. "We came in 2004," I snap.
   I am shaking as I return to my seat, and I don't even try to pay attention to the rest of the lesson.