Co-Author: @c-NYC-
Mondays are usually uneventful, as bland as the neatly lined textbooks that line the entire classroom's shelves. I'd even arrived to school feeling extra tired, bonus points, and hungry, more bonus points. To top it all off, the sky is completely overcast; a claustrophobic ashen blanket that has settled down over the students, even before the class started.
I shuffle inside Mr. Reanno's wide classroom, taking my seat among the few other silent Monday-sufferers. I haven't seen Oren yet, which is strange, because he usually gets to class before I do. I guess I can just take a few spare minutes to rest, but I'm not sure what the time is-
"Alrighty," Mr. Reanno says huskily, and I pry my eyes open and force myself to sit up. There's no way that it's time for class to start. There's so many people missing. Where is Oren?
"For those of you that-"
The door swings open and Oren, alongside someone who I don't recognize, busts into the class. Everyone's head turns to watch them shuffle awkwardly to our teacher's desk.
"You're late," He states, and glances at the kid standing beside Oren. "And who are you?"
"Arch," He says in a friendly manner, and I immediately recognize him to be the guy that asked for directions last weekend.
"Well...welcome to our class. You may find a seat." Mr. Reanno says, without a hint of a warm welcome in his tone. Nevertheless, Arch nods politely and scans the class for a place to sit. There's plenty of empty seats. So many, you could sit almost anywhere and have nobody within a desk's distance of you, but when his light eyes fall on me, he lights up and slides into the desk beside mine.
Oren trudges to his assigned seat behind Lorella, shooting me a funny look. Even Lorella is drained from energy, and simply sits in a dead, unmoving silence.
"Seems like such a lively school," Arch says to me, under his breath. I give him an acknowledging nod.
"It's a Monday," I whisper, trying to not attract attention from our teacher.
"Ah," He says at full volume. "Hangovers."
I shake my head and press my hand against my forehead, trying to rub the embarrassment away when the class's attention turns to us.
"Anything you'd like to share with the class, you two?" Mr. Reanno raises an eyebrow at us.
"No sir," We say simultaneously.
"Then, please save the chitchat for after my class, thank you."
I prop my head up on my elbow and refrain from laughing. One glance at Arch and I can tell that he's fighting back a smile as well.
When class ends, Arch grabs my arm before I can leave, and pulls me aside.
"Hey, since you're the closest thing I have to a friend in this place, do you think I could sit with you at lunch, if there's room?"
"Sure," I nod. "Just find me. I'm Elle, by the way. Short for Brielle."
"Arch." He smiles, and hurries off to wherever his locker is. I get down to the cafeteria and find myself split between two worlds. Oren and Lorella are sitting together at a table, which is new, and Gianna, Mila, and Erin are sitting at our regular table. I feel a sudden urge to sit with Oren...it can't hurt to sit with my best friend for once...besides, I'm tired of those girls.
I scurry to Oren's table and plop myself down beside him.
"Hey," He greets me. Lorella just looks at me sideways, but I don't even feel like being bothered by her today.
