The Rule Book

Rule No. 1 ~ Avoid people who purr at all costs

Rule No. 1 ~ Avoid people who purr at all costs

It's the day before the day, if you know what I mean. The day meaning the first day of junior year. If I'm going to survive, I'm going to need rules. Because, that's who I am, Chevy Robinson, the rule obsessed girl. And rule number one, never ever talk to someone who purrs. Like, ever. Why? Because people who purr are dangerous people (dangerous and mentally unstable). Seriously. People don't purr, cats purr. So if a person purrs, you know there's something seriously wrong with them. Usually these people say, sorry not say - they purr, "Heelllo Darrlllingg" or something like that. And after they do that, they usually take out a gun and shoot you, or kidnap you. Something along those lines. So trust me when I say, if you break rule number one - you're dead.

* * *

September 11th

It was a major pain waking up, but I did it and made it to school on time. My backpack weighed like a ton, and it took forever to dig through it and find my schedule (reference to rule book number 9 ~ rule #3 ~ always have your schedule on hand). I was a little disgruntled at the fact that I had pre-calc honors first thing in the morning, but I'll get through it- somehow. At least I get to look forward to seeing my best friend's I-just-woke-up-so-I'm-cranky face every first period of the day. Ha ha, yay. My converse made almost no noise as I strode to my homeroom and pulled open the door. Homeroom only lasts fifteen minutes every day and almost no one ever goes, they go straight to their first class. On the first day, however, you need your student ID. I dropped my bag onto the floor and seated myself into a desk. The teacher passed out the IDs and then I was gone, lugging my eleven pound backpack to the math classroom. The door opened before I could even touch the handle, and an unfamiliar boy walked out frowning. New kid? I never got the chance to think about it at all as Izzy caught sight of me from inside the classroom and soon I was being dragged to a desk. The next few minutes consisted of me and her chatting over each other, as we "haven't even seen each other over the summer at all! OMG!" Izzy - Isabella - had been my go to girl since the fifth grade. I was obsessed with following rules - and she was obsessed with breaking them. We couldn't have clicked more. I'm surprised I still remember that exact moment, but at the same time, how could I not? It was Rule Book No. 5, rule no . 9, and she broke it like it was a pinata stuffed full of candy. I cracked a smile at the thought, but it quickly faded when I realized class was starting. We were actually getting a complete calculus lecture on the first day of school? And a pop quiz on the lecture? Who was this man? I reached into my backpack and pulled out my pencil case, grabbing a perfectly sharpened ticonderoga, and a brand new mechanical pencil (Rule Book No. 7, Rule No. 4 ~ always have a backup pencil). I laid them out neatly on my desk and dropped the case back into my backpack.

"Once I pass out the quizzes, you may start immediately." Grunted Mr. Wykoff, "And I expect-" He was cut off at the sound of the door opening. All eyes, including mine, turned to witness the entrance of a boy, his backpack slung over his shoulder (how light was it?) and an empty starbucks cup in his other hand. The same boy I saw earlier (the new kid?). "Axel King, you're late."

He smiled, "Sorry sir, something came up." He tossed the cup over his shoulder without looking back, and making it perfectly into the trash can. Someone in the classroom whistled.

Mr.Wykoff scowled, "I can imagine. Sit down, the class is taking a pop quiz."

The boy dropped into the seat next to mine (smack dab right in the front row) and then seemed to freeze, "Wait, did you say pop quiz? On what?"

"The lecture I gave at the beginning of class. The lecture you would've heard if you had been on time." Mr. Wykoff smiled pleasantly and then dropped a stack of papers on the boy's desk. "Pass these back, and don't forget to take one for yourself."

The boy shrugged and, after taking a sheet of paper for himself, handed the papers back to a girl who giggled. I found myself frowning, I mean, he literally just handed you a stack of pop quizzes, why the heck are you giggling? I picked up my own small stack and passed it back. Then I immediately picked up my ticonderoga and started scrawling in answers. I was halfway through when I felt a small tap on my shoulder. I turned to my right and found myself staring at the boy.

"Hello darling~," he purred, "The name's Axel King. May I borrow a pencil?"

"I'm sorry, this is the only pencil I have." I said, as politely as possible, and then discreetly pushing my desk away from his and closer to Izzy's. This kid purrs.

"But there's one right there." He said, pointing to my back up mechanical pencil, placed neatly at the top of my desk. I felt my insides shrivel up, curse rule book number seven rule number four.

"Ah, that old thing? It has no lead in it." I whispered back, lying through my teeth. Avoid, avoid, avoid.

"But it looks brand new."

"But it's not!" I coughed quickly when Mr. Wykoff looked up, "I mean, it's just there so I can use the eraser."

"Your other pencil has a perfect eraser, that isn't even used yet."

"You know what? Take it you monster." I shoved the pencil onto his desk, and then yanked my desk away with force, creating a large gap between me and him.

"Um, okay." He shrugged, twirled the pencil, and began writing.