Crybaby

Pencils and ABCs

The schoolhouse doors are pretty menacing when you get up close.
Troye stands and looks up at them with an uneasy stomach. Another boy pushes past him and opens the doors.
He sighs nervously and steps in behind him.
The first face he sees is a girl with curly brown hair. She has on a little red flannel shirt. She sticks out her hand and smiles. "Hi! I'm Alessia. What's your name?"
Troye is shocked at first by the friendliness.
"Uh- I- I'm Troye." He stutters but tries to smile. It feels so nice to have someone care like this.
"Thank you." He says.
When she gives him a puzzled look, he mentally slaps himself
That sounds so dumb Troye.
"For what?" Alessia asks, tilting her head like a confused puppy.
"Oh- uh- I don't know... It's just... No on is ever this friendly to me."
He mumbles, embarrassed.
He is taken by surprise when she suddenly loops her arm in his.
"We are gonna be friends!" She announces, and Troye can't help but smile. "Yeah." He says back, a little more confidently now.

Across the room, Electra and Lana are sitting on some desks, talking to another curly haired girl.
She has a pale face and light blue eyes.
"So wait. You're called Lorde, right?" Lana asks her. Lana is wearing a dress with puffy sleeves that Crybaby picked out. "Yes." She is smiling at them but she looks nervous anyway. They are all new to school. Crybaby is in the corner, talking to Blurryface. He has on the same red beanie as usual.
Suddenly a loud voice calls across the room.
" Students, please quiet down. Class is starting. Welcome! My name Miss Valfre. I am your teacher this year."
She has red hair tied up in a bun and a strong English accent. "Now I know the first day of school can be scary, but don't fear. We will have loads of fun. Now please say Present when I call your name, and sit in the seat I point to!"
" Crybaby" "Present."
" Lorde" "Present."
" Duke" "Present."
" Lana" "Present."
" Sam" "Present."
" Mary Kate" "Present."
" Halsey" "Present."
" Connor" "Present."
" Petite" "Present."
" Bunie" "Present."
" Taylor" "Present."
" Grace" "Present."
" Mark" "Present."
" Harley" "Present."
"  Blurryface" "Present."
" Electra" "Present."
"  Troye" "Present."
" Alessia" "Present."
" Peter" "Present."
" Sia" "Present."
" Johnny" "Present."
(Crybaby disregards the name. Johnny moved away, this must be another one.)
Once everyone is seated, a piece of paper is handed out to each student.
" Please get this paper signed by your Mum or Dad and bring it back tomorrow. We have many field trips in kindergarten and it's very important."
The morning goes on, and they begin to get a taste of elementary school. After what feels like days, the bell finally rings for lunch.
As Lana enters the lunch room, she looks around at the many tables, all full of strangers, until she spots Lorde, Electra, Crybaby, Troye, and some other girl she doesn't recognize at a table nearby. She skips over and slides into a seat next to Lorde.
" Hi." She smiles at the new girl at the table. "I'm Lana."
"I'm Alessia." The girl smiles back. They all eat their lunches rather quietly. Crybaby is all aught up in her thoughts when a teacher announces that it's time for recess.
Everyone one hops up and runs to the doors. After being scolded for running, the doors are opened.
Electra leans against a post under the slide and pulls out a pack of bubblegum. She's in the middle of talking to Harley, a blonde and slightly psychotic girl who is quickly becoming her friend. Another blonde girl, named Mary Kate, walks up and interrupts her.
"Um.. Excuse me, but you can't chew gum. It's against the rules."
Electra narrows her eyes.
"Hey, aren't you Connor's little lady friend?" She asks, ignoring her previous comment. Harley laughs and pops the piece of gum Electra gave her.
"Um, didn't you here me? Spit out your gum. And yes. He's MY boyfriend. Don't even think about flirting with him." She snaps at Electra.
She blows a bubble and pops it, daring Mary Kate to fight back with her eyes.
"Oh no sweetheart. I'm not flirting with him. But he's not yours either. Now if you'll excuse me, Harley and I were actually talking before you butted in miss goodie two shoes."
Electra says. Harley giggles again, as Mary Kate gets the most offended expression on her face and stomps off, her little blue dress fluttering around her.
"Oh my god, this is gonna be fun." Harley laughs. She talks with a bit of a New Jersey accent.

While all this is happening, Alessia, Troye, and Lana are swinging together on the other side of the Playground. They laugh and shout, unaware of the world. Just happy, for once.

Crybaby's legs dangle from the edge of the playground platform. She is talking to Halsey. At first Crybaby didn't like this blue haired girl, but now Halsey is growing on her by the minute. They talk about the teacher and the other students and Halsey's badlands.

By the time the day is over, most of the children have already established it. They know who they like and who they don't. It's funny how fast things happen.
"Have a nice day! See you tomorrow! Don't forget to have your slip signed!" The Ms. Valfre calls after the children as they dash out of the big red doors.

Troye is so happy that he doesn't even notice Connor looking at him with sad eyes from across the road.
Crybaby is smiling at the sidewalk as she walks home. Someone taps her shoulder. "Hi Crybaby!" Bunie smiles at her and sticks his tongue out. He looks so much happier and brighter than he did a few days ago.
" Hi Bunie."
Maybe I can start fresh. Maybe stuff is ok.