So She Dances (by nightowl1216)

Chapter 5:

"Excuseme, Miss Peppers, but we do not waste trees at this school."

I looked up from my origami to Mr. Brown who was standing over me, arms crossed and foot stamping. "With respect, sir, I am not wasting it.I am going to decorate my dorm with it."

"While I am lecturing?"

"It helps me focus," I said. "Don't worry! I'm listening."

"Yes, I'm sure you were. Because you were 'listening', I would like the whole class to write a one page summary of all I talked about today and its relevance to the world present day."

My jaw dropped. "But Mr. Brown, I was listening!"

"I don't care, now get started on your paper, people!"

If looks could kill, I would be a thousand times dead. I don't think that was a way to get people at the school to like me.

I sank down in my seat and pulled out another piece of paper. I'm pretty sure this is wasting more paper than I was because now everybody has to use another piece. What a hypocrite! Ugh... this is so unfair.

"Nice going there," a few people said on the way out of class.

It's great to know that I could make people's day without even trying. I was such a kind soul, I was.

"Don't take it too hard," Chloe said on the way to our next class. "He does that kind of thing all the time."

I looked around me to make sure nobody else was listening. "Is he always that moody?"

She shrugged. "He's usually just really boring. He's been more grumpy lately, but I think that's from all the stress of the wedding."

"Whoa, wait, he's getting married?" Who would marry him?!

Okay, that was a bit harsh. I'm sure there must be somebody out there for him.

"You didn't already know? Ms. Harley and him are engaged! Their wedding is in a few months."

I could feel my eyes go wide. "No. Way. You've got to be kidding me!They are getting married?"

"I'm being totally serious!"

My mouth stayed gaped in an open O. I would have never in a million years imagined them being together!

"Isn't he like... 60?" I said. "That would mean she was half of his age! Ewww! Gross!"

"Um, she's 30 and he is 35."

Oh dang. That man aged quickly.

I was glad that Ryan came to change the subject. He tiptoed behind Chloe and put his hands over her eyes. "Guess who?" His voice became a few octaves lower.

She grinned. "Bruce?"

"Nope."

She touched her lip with her finger coyly. "Franklin?"

"Wha tare we? In the 50s?"

"Oh!I know who it is now! It's Herbert! Herbie, you had better get out of here before my boyfriend sees us and gets jealous."

"You're right! I'll see in you in pre-calc next period."

She removed his hands and spun into his arms. "See you in a few minutes, babe. I have to fill up my water bottle."

I moved on to pre-calc without them and spend the moments before the bell rang shaking out my sore hand. We only had 5 minutes left of class when we had to write the one page paper, and until we had a whole page, we weren't allowed to leave and then we would be tardy for our next class.