When I Joined the Dork Side

Chapter One

It was the week back from Winter break and the student body of Tunerstein High was in a flurry; friends embracing each other in teary hugs after not seeing each other for a full week and a half (practically forevrrrrrr) and eager freshman scrambling around hallways trying to find their new classes for the second semester. I walked in, throwing off my Chanel studded sunglasses and handing them to Belle. I heard the click-clack of her heels as she rushed up on the left side of me to put them in her clutch - a very beautiful, handmade Italian purse I got her for Christmas. Kristy is to the right of me and is a tad stunned but is loyal and fairly easy to manipulate. Sure, they have to put up with my constant mood swings and wait around for the approved-sloppy second boyfriends I gave them but I treated them to designer handbags, stiletto heels and luxury vacations. It's really quite a good bargain.

"Excuse me" I hollered in an up-beat cheery manner at a stoned Junior who was blocking the path to my locker.

When he didn't respond I sighed loudly, passing a glance to Kristy. "Get out of her fucking way you punk." Unlike me, Kristy did't bother controlling her temper in order to get the teachers and student body to bend for her. She just said what ever crap idea that came to her out loud and, in return, usually got what she wanted. Darling, it's a princess tantrum and in order to be in my entourage you must know how to do them like a Queen.

The stoner jumped back in a laggard motion, slamming his fist into the passing-by nerd's groin. I felt my lips start to tug into a smile - something that at first took practice but eventually, with some pep talks, became easier. My girls and I let out a chuckle at the nerd and stoner's predicament; the nerd clutching his groin and the stoner looking equal parts confused and embarrassed.

"Thanks for letting us kill two birds with one stone-r" Kristy cackled at the now-humiliated junior as we weaved our way past the little crowd that was beginning to form.

Momentarily, my eyes met the nerd's; his brown irises brimmed with passionate anger. I shivered slightly, trying to conceal the shutter of emotions his gaze had suddenly made me feel.

Following our usual routine, we stopped at my locker first. I grabbed my Mathematics textbook and a notepad. Most of my friends weren't aware of how good my marks really are. I've always managed to keep the grade conversations at bay. Laughing off Belle's questions of "omg did you bomb it too" after a math test with a nonchalant shrug and a "like, probably".

"What's the point of even hauling around those books." Kristy commented while twirling a strand of hair between her fingers. "Your Daddy already got you into NYU, why are you trying to cause yourself spinal injuries."

I nodded my head to the side like I was deeply considering what Kristy said. What they don't know is, is that I got a full-ride academic scholarship without Daddy having to sign off a single donation check. Once I re-applied my Hot Sex Pink lipstick, I slammed my locker shut.

Just as we were about to make a second stop at Belle's locker, Ms. Ping's voice rattled on the announcement speaker.

"Alice Priceton to my office. I repeat, Alice Priceton to my office." Ms. Ping, one of the school's guidance counsellor, shouted a bit too loud into the microphone.

Everyone around me stopped, their gazes now fixated on me. I pulled my chin up higher and addressed the student's around me. "It's nothing okay, Ms. Ping just wants to have a little chat with me about the upcoming Winter Carnaval." I pursed my lips, watching how well my lie was perceived by everyone, before ditching my entourage and walking towards the office.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Hi Ms. Ping" I said sweetly, my voice hitting an octave higher than usual.

"Hello Alice. I unfortunately have some bad news." Her voice was raspy due to years of smoking and her blonde hair was thinning around the sides. I smiled sympathetically at her until her words started to create meaning in my brain. I dropped my cheery attitude and stared at her with my interrogative glare.

"There's been a sudden, extremely rare scheduling glitch." She deadpanned, no longer looking very friendly either.

"What do you mean?" I enquired.

"Second period, after math, you were supposed to have Psychology."

I nodded, noting the "supposed to" in her sentence.

"Well, Grade 12 Psychology is now completely full and you will need to take another course."

"Me?!" I pointed my newly manicured hand at my chest.

"Since you were late to apply for your courses you are now the first one to be transferred to a currently available course." Ms. Ping Pong - as the kids liked to call her - said all of this in a matter-of-fact, beige brewed coffee tone.

"I was in Peru!!" I screamed, standing up. This was not at all, in any way fair or my fault. "I was with my Dad on an extended vacation and wasn't able to hand them in until I got back."

"I'm afraid this is school policy —" Ms. Ping's eyes suddenly latched onto me and her voice slowed as she said, " — and there is no way around it." She didn't seem very apologetic and the last part seemed to be a jab at my affluent family.

I let out a distressed breath. "What can I take then?"

"There seems to only be one open course..." Her rough, bitten nails hampered around the keyboard as she searched it up. "Ahh here.... Computer Science II."

My eyes bulged. No way in hell was I taking that course - it was social suicide! Then I remembered something... "But, Ms. Ping," I regained my sweet tone, "you can't take that course without Computer Science I."

I felt a lapse of relief wash over my body. I could get through anything, the past four years had been a smooth ride with not even the smallest bump altering my course and no way was this going to stop me from having the fabest senior year ever!

Ms. Ping's eyes brightened in an evilly, utterly cruel way. "Well, it says on your school transcripts that you took a computer science I course the summer before Grade 9."

Shit.

I tried to find words, an argument, anything to refute Ms. Ping's last words but my mouth was dry. The truth was catching up to me and all that was left to do was storm out of the office and yell "This isn't over."

But it was.