Simmons's Journal

Tuesday, August 9th

I saw Donut at lunch today, talking with Grif and two other guys. I hesitated, not sure if it would be worth the risk of having to deal with more of that Grif kid, but ultimately I decided it was worth it.

Donut was the first to notice me walking over. "Hey, Simmons!" he greeted. He is a very enthusiastic person. "You're just in time, there's only one spot left at our table."

Donut immediately introduced me to the two students I hadn't met. "Simmons, I'd like you to meet Lopez and Sarge." The one in the olive-colored jacket, which I assume was Lopez, half-heartedly waved before turning back to the argument going on between Grif and Sarge. Donut continued, talking over them, "He never told us his real name, but we call him Sarge because he's in the ROTC." "Makes enough sense, I guess." I replied.

"Damn it Grif, you keep making up these damn animals!" Sarge shouted. "What are you talking about? A puma is a real animal!" Grif responded. "Does anyone know what's going on here?" I asked. I mean, tell me if I'm wrong, but this didn't seem like your normal lunchtime discussion.

"I got a new Jeep last week, and Grif here thinks it looks like a puma, whatever the hell that is," Sarge explained, "when it clearly looks like a WARTHOG!"

Now, normally, I'd side with the person who actually made sense, but I felt like getting some revenge for that 'nerd' comment Grif made yesterday. "Well, I haven't seen the car, but I have no idea what a puma is, unless you're referring to the shoe company." Grif looked infuriated. "No, like a PUMA. It's... it's like a big cat."

It was actually kinda fun playing dumb like this. I hope Grif and I are even now, so we can actually be friends. I don't really try to make enemies, or even make people mad in general. But Grif deserved it this time, and boy was it funny.

After about five minutes, Donut shifted the conversation over to drama club. "So, Donut, why don't you ask Sarge or Lopez to sign up?" I asked. "Well, Sarge can't join because he's in ROTC, and drama would interfere with his schedule. As for Lopez, he is in drama, but he's only able to do stage crew."

I must've looked as confused as I was, because Donut elaborated immediately. "Lopez is a foreign exchange student, and he only speaks Spanish." Donut said this as if it was obvious, and I was stupid for not having noticed already. For some reason, I hadn't realized until then that Lopez hadn't spoken since I'd sat down. Or he had, and I just wasn't listening. Donut smiled. "Not to worry, Simmons. I managed to convince Grif to join drama club after all, so now we have enough members!" I was shocked. "You did what? I mean- how?" I froze in disbelief. "Oh, it was easy! I just told him about the free snacks that the performers get after practice. He can't turn down Oreos."

Great. Now I'm stuck in a club with Grif. At least we're even now, so maybe I can try to be friends with him...

...right?