Increase the Medication

Melted Filters

"Ms. Truitt, please pay attention," Ms. Arena called from the front of the classroom.

I glided back to reality from my somewhat-sleep and flipped Frank off slowly when he sneered, "Yeah, Ms. Truitt, pay attention."

The bell rang and I lifted my history things into my arms, shoving them into my bag. "You can sit with us at lunch if you want," Frank offered, walking towards four other guys.

One boy caught my attention. He had a rather sullen look plastered across his rounded face, framed by messy shoulder-length black hair, and soft hazel eyes. He looked more than sullen, though. More like a beaten dog.

Another skinnier boy with dark brown hair and glasses at the tip of his nose stood next to him. They looked very much alike. I assumed immediately that they were related.

Two more boys stood near them, a tall one with a big, fluffy-looking brown afro. A blonde guy with teenage boy stubble on his chin had his hands behind his back.

"Okay, well I'm Frank, but you already know that. Chubby Boy Wonder with the bowl cut is Gerard Way, the one with the lesbian librarian glasses is his brother, Mikey. Microphone Hair is Raymond Toro. But call him Ray, or he'll suck you into his bottomless afro. And then this Blondie over here is Bobert. Actually, I just call him Bobert, you should call him Bob," Frank said, tapping each person as he introduced me.

"Oh, and guys? This is Faye. So far, I've discovered that she's friends with Puff the Magic Dragon," he added, laughing.

"Okay, then. I'll see you all at lunch. You might have to tell me names again because I am intoxicated right now," I giggled waving and heading off to where Frank had said the chemistry classroom was.

This teacher's name was Mrs. Alfano, and she seemed really nice. I suppose the expression 'looks can be deceiving' is sometimes true. Mrs. Alfano was a total bitch.

We had to make a solution of chemicals and test it on litmus paper to discover its Ph balance. What was even more fun was that a bitchy blonde girl, Meghan Sonner, got to be my partner.

She was the epitome of skank. To me, at least. A type I did not trust. Bottle blonde, probably three boyfriends. I didn't hear all of the names she mentioned because I lost count and I was trying to focus, unlike her. She had a small posse and apparently she already didn't like me.

"So the other day, I was talking to Patricia and I was like, 'Yeah we're getting a new girl!' And we totally thought you gonna be cool, like us, but you're not. You know, I was really hoping you'd be more like me. Isn't it too bad there aren't more people like me?" Meghan rambled.

"Y'know, Meghan, I was sort of hoping you'd actually help me with this project. If all you're going to do is talk about yourself, please don't even talk," I said, drawing some of the solution into the dropper.

"Excuse me? Just who the hell do you think you are?" Meghan screeched.

"Sonner! Truitt! Quiet down, the class is working, like you ought to be!" Mrs. Alfano hollered from the front of the class.

I sighed, finishing the project by myself. I filled out a worksheet that asked questions about the solution, what I knew about litmus paper, etc.

I already knew that this Meghan girl would be a problem for me. I put the litmus paper into the plastic ziplock bag we'd been given and handed it in with the worksheet.

The bell rang just before I got back to the desk. I rushed to it, but some girl stuck her foot out and tripped me. High-pitched female snickers ensued. No doubt the work of Meghan's friends.

"Shit!" I breathed, nearly falling on my face, but a hand shot out and grabbed my arm, pulling me up.

I tugged at my flannel again, looking up to my saviour. It was the boy with the black hair, Gerard.