When I Joined the Dork Side

Chapter Two

My mind moved in frantic spirals trying to come up with a way out of my current, horrific mess. I hated being stressed. According to Jeff, my boyfriend and quarterback of the school's football team, stress didn't look cute on me.

I tried to focus on Mr. Briannick's lesson but couldn't will my eyes to stay in one place. Most of the kids around me were either passing notes, writing actual notes about the class, or were passed out asleep. I tapped my pen against my notepad, looking down at the empty page. My breath was heavy and continued getting caught in my throat, I glanced at the clock near the window only to realize less than five minutes remained of class. Less than five minutes and I would meet my biggest fear. I considered ditching - an activity that my friends thought I did on a consistent basis but, truthfully, I had never done - but I didn't want to risk getting caught and lose my chance at going to NYU.

When the second period bell rang, I packed up my purse and supplies slowly. Trying to delay the death sentence I was given. If I could remember correctly, Computer Science took place on the second floor next to the Physics classrooms. I climbed the stairs, other students moving out of my way like bats on acid when they saw me. Swallowing a wave of nerves, I peeked into the classroom door's window. Inside, the desks were arranged in a large 'L' shape (probably some janitor found it ironic) with desktop computers and pieces of software drives dispersed on the desk. I counted the amount of kids, six in total, I doubted anyone would walk in after me.

I rested the palm of my hand against the door knob and turned it. No one even remotely near my social status would ever dare walk into this room and here I was, the destined prom queen if all goes as plan, opening the door. As soon as the door clicked close everyone's eyes turned from their brightly lit computer screens to me. And suddenly, I was back in middle school, feeling everyone's stares roam around my body; picking apart every flaw. Trying to make my whole entrance less awkward, I began to move again. I stopped after a half step when a whirlwind of limbs came crashing up behind me.

"Sorry I'm late Mr. Benson, christ I was at the nurses and..." The boy let the words die on his lips when he saw who was in front of him. And I felt a massively fatal heart attack erupt from inside my chest. Oh crap, it was the kid from earlier. The one with pure hatred burning in his eyes, the one that looked at me with so much disgust an avalanche could have fallen.

He looked at Mr. Benson expecting an answer and when he stared back equally lost, the boy's gaze wandered back to me.

"What's Princess doing here?" He spat, mimicking Jeff's nickname for me.

I thought about lying but knew that was futile and would just be more humiliating so I said the only thing that made sense to me. "I'm here to take a class."

For a moment, he looked taken aback. Shock stroked his features like clouds on a windy day. It then passed. And he cleared his throat, "But you have to take first year before this course." He seemed to be working out the conundrum the same way I had but it was hopeless. Logic wasn't the creator of this mess, pandemonium and hell was (perhaps a little dramatic but it's high school what do you want).

Before he could continue and get me rallied up, I sat down at an empty desk. Mr. Benson looked to be at a loss for words but recovered once the boy took a seat across the classroom.

"Rodger Jackson"

"Here."

"Ashely Lestin"

"Present."

"Maisy Madisonne"

"Yes!"

"Aaron Mihemins"

"Present."