The Apothecary: Normal, Never

First Day

Benjamin:
Janie and I walked into home room, still very insecure about earlier, and sat down. Once everybody arrived, we started talking about rules, drills, and other boring stuff. To tell you the truth, I didn't listen. "Mr. Burrows, Mr.Burrows..." The teacher was calling my name!
"Y-Y-Yes?" I said, standing up. The class started giggling. I looked around, was I really that funny? Then my eyes caught on Janie whom was mouthing something, "sit down". I quickly sat, feeling stupid. I did this on my first day at the other American school I went to, where Janie had specifically told me that " in the U.S., we don't stand up when our names are called." Where as in England, it's considered "well mannered". Oh god no, really Ben! On the first day?!
"Thank you, Benjamin. Or Ben? Which do you prefer?" The teacher asked. I felt a hard poke on the arm, Janie.
"Benjamin, I prefer that." I say. I already looked stupid. The teacher must have picked up on my accent,(which really wasn't that strong) because she asked,
"Are you from the UK?" I nodded. She nodded back, and continued with roll call. The whole morning was smooth, until Latin, where I made myself stand out again.

Janie:
Benjamin is such an idiot sometimes, and Latin was no different. The teacher handed out pre-tests, and everything went downhill from there. We had a dull Latin teacher, and he droned on, and on, about the importance of Latin. Of coarse, with the Pharmocimphia mostly in Latin and Greek, it was useful for Ben and I, but, I was still bored out of my wits, then, the bomb drill began.

Benjamin:
The bell announcing a bomb drill rang, and everybody got under the table, except, me. The girl next to me tugged on my pants leg a little, trying to get me to go under the table, but, I didn't budge. There was no need. I had a protection elixir in my pocket and the table wouldn't help me, and besides, it's just a drill. I can already hear Janie yelling at me, but, as she says, I'm very headstrong, or stubborn, as her parents say. I continue with the (simple) pre- test, and get Janie out of my brain. A hand touches my shoulder as I look up to see Mrs. DePaola, my home room teacher. "Desk, Under, Now" is all she says. I'm about to argue when I feel my paper move a bit, most definitely a message from Janie.
"It's stupid, and the desk won't help if a nuclear bomb hits the school, but ok." I say, and crawl under the desk.
The girl next to me gives me a grin, a weird one, (unlike Janie's, which is elegant and perfect) and I look away, I have a feeling that she is like silently flirting with me, which creeps me out. Then, I see Janie, with a huge smirk spread across her face, she knew I was going to act stupid, and she was happy that she knew.

I love writing this! It's soooooo much fun! I bet like nobody is reading my story, but who cares! I would love readers but I mainly just want to show my love for Maile Meloy's books. ❤️📖 Thanks!