All Bi Myself

Every School Has a Current

As we walk to class which necessitated me taking the lead Tammy explains that her parents got sick of the city and decided to move to the country. I scan the room with a flat look staring anyone down that looks at me before deciding on a back table all the while still listening to Tammy explain her parents decision, apparently air pollution and a fine for rubber mats to stop your vehicle from scraping were the last straw. I nab the seat on the inside and Tammy slides into the spot beside me forcing Christy to sit at the table ahead of us. Tammy has fallen silent and belatedly it occurs to me that perhaps I should have indicated I was actually listening. I don’t let it bother me for too long though, I don’t really care why she moved here, I feel sorry for her either way.

“So what, you’re farmers now?”

I frown at Christy’s mocking tone but don’t say anything.

“No, Dad kept his job and Mom is going to school.”

Christy gives a look before turning around, I’m surprised at how easily Tammy ignores Christy’s unfriendly attitude. Tammy scoots her stool closer to me so I can feel the heat of her arm next to mine and I raise an eyebrow when she leans into me conspiratorially.

“She doesn’t like me very much does she?” she asks nodding in Christy’s direction.

I shrug and roll my eyes. Christy is facing forward texting behind her binder and pencil case. She’s never been one to text and I wonder who she found to actually tempt her to use technology. We hear loud voices and I turn to look over Tammy’s shoulder. The sports girls’ stream into the room and suddenly the air feels ten times denser and the sudden urge to bite my nails or crack my neck washes over me. There isn’t a single queen bee in the group; it changes by the week sometimes by the day depending on the gossip scene. Sasha is who I notice first mainly because she’s a head taller than everyone else is and is the only one that I’d willingly hang out with and even that’s because she’s Amy’s best friend and Amy is my childhood friend. Next is Tory, she’s the main cause of all the noise and a relatively ugly girl who demands attention through pure lung power. Right beside her is Sidney, she’s quiet but one of those quiet people who is constantly judging you and is able to make you feel like you have food on your face or smell bad. Right behind them is Shelby, she’s a piece of work, and the most two faced person I’ve ever met. And finally, yelling over her shoulder as she enters the room is Lana the supposed star player of the team, a fun person to talk to once and a while if you can get past her need to talk about herself constantly. I face forward and rub my forehead again but stop when Tammy leans into me.

“Who are they?” she whispers and for the first time she seems uncomfortable maybe even nervous.

“They’re the sports team, for every sport we have here.” I reply as I watch them take their spots.

They’re too busy chattering amongst themselves to notice that the new girl is in the class. I glance at Tammy and she bites her lip once before that calm smile returns.

“They’ll come over here in a second –once they notice you; they have their sights on you for a new member of the team. You’ll have instant popularity and invites to all the parties.” I say taking my phone out when I feel it buzz.

“Oh.”

It’s the casual way she says it that makes me stop reading the text from Ben and turn to her.

“Do you want that?” I ask looking her in the eye when she glances at me.

She takes a peek at the group of girls then shakes her head with a reserved smile. I raise my eyebrows in surprise before getting up.

“Here, you take the inside; they won’t push past me to get at you.” I say as kindly as I can although I’m pretty sure it sounds pretty gruff.