Ms. Moving On

Chapter Three

January, 15 2017
When Ara entered home room there was a bin that had a price of blue masking tape on it. On the masking tape in black sharpie was written PHONES.

       The  teacher announced that she was having an experiment where everyone was going to deposit there phones in the bin for the rest of the day. Everyone, although they'd been annoyed had complied and gently placed their phones in the bin.
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"Ugh, I have math next period." Holly grumbled. Conveniently their lockers were side by side. "Same," Arletta replied. "Race you there?" Holly asked childishly. "I'm going to win." "We'll see about that?" They both started running with Ara in the lead. Holly catching up, took over when Arletta bumped into something.

Or someone. Darn it. "Something" was a brunette girl in high heels and a mini dress."You're so clumsy," Shelley Duncan replied. "What are you even wearing? You do realize it's school not some party?" "Maybe I just have a sense of style." "Maybe being the key word." "Why do you always have to fight back with a snarky comment." "It's a skill." "Like sleeping around is your skill?"

That was the last straw. "What exactly is wrong with having sex. I mean I thought you at least would've been anti slut shaming seeing as what your wearing is kind of low cut. If someone wants to have sex why shouldn't they be able to without being judged. It's a free country." Someone whistled, "Preach." Glaring at the crowd, "What are you looking at?" She spun on her heel and stalked off in the opposite direction of math class.

Zach smirked and pointed, "You're math class is that way." "I knew that." Ara lied. "Of course you did." She scowled at him before saying to Holly pointedly. "Let's go." They were of course late to math class. Cursing vividly she took a seat next to a small blonde girl. "Hey, what did I miss?" "You can borrow my notes." "Thanks so much.." "Lucy." "Cute name, I'm Arletta."
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"Do you want to sit with us?" Lucy, who'd been texting someone, looked up to see Arletta. "Yeah thanks." "Guys this is Lucy. Lucy this is guys. And girls, too." "Wow. I totally know who these people are thanks to your amazing introduction." "I know." Ara replied sassily. "Hey Lucy. I'm Holly." Holly cheerfully announced. Every one else introduced themselves, too except Zach who said, "You probably already know who I am. All the Nerds stalk me." Lucy raised an eyebrow, "That would be a true if I was a nerd." "Don't be rude, Zach and Lucy you are totally a nerd." "No, I'm not!" "I never said it was bad to be a nerd."

"I have an awesome idea." Zach interrupted. "It's better to keep your mouth shut and have everyone think you're an idiot than to prove it. None of your ideas are awesome." Lucy stated still pissed.  He blushed. Holly and Arletta exchanged a glance with that knowing smirk. Tyler was less subtle, "The Zach Davis. Player, manwhore, world famous for never having a crush is blushing?" He gasped dramatically. "Shut up." He swatted a punch.

"As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted. Let's skip last period and go to the carnival in Willow Creek." Willow Creek was the neighboring town.  "I'm new here isn't that bad for my reputation?" Area replied skeptical. Cora feigned innocence, "What reputation?" "Shut up."
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Two hours later needless to say they were lost. They discovered the carnival was scheduled for the following Sunday and on the way back they must've took a wrong turn. Everyone had submitted there phones except for Tyler and Lucy who had Ms. Floyd for home room. Tyler's phone died and Lucy had a flip phone.

"Why do those things even exist anymore?" Holly groaned. "Are you sure there isn't any apps?" Becca asked. "I told you already it can only call and text?" "Why us?" Holly sighed dramatically. "Why me." Lucy corrected. "Why you?" Holly asked "Overprotective parents," was the curt respond.

"Let's get off this exit, find a cafe or gas station get coffees and buy a charger." "Do they sell those in cafes?" Zach shrugged, "worth a shot." No one disagreed. Five minutes later they all entered a cafe. Everyone ordered a coffee except Lucy who got a milkshake. "Overprotective parents." "You don't drink coffee?" Zach asked her.  "Apparently it will make me shorter even though I've obviously stopped growing."

"I'm going to buy you a coffee." Zach told her with an assertive tone. "I'll take another caramel latte for this gorgeous young lady." He told the cashier. "Also do you by any chance sell car chargers?" Asked Holly, still sipping on her French Vanilla Cappuccino. "Actually, I think we do." Beside the cash register was two small boxes. One had gum and the other car chargers.

The door swung open and a familiar face walked in. "Vanessa!" It was said simultaneously by Zach, Tyler and Arletta. "What are you doing here?"  Vanessa laughed lightly, "There goes the surprise." "What?"Holly asked eagerly. "I'm moving out and joining your school." "Why?" "I got expelled. Mum has had enough of me so I got an apartment in the states. Near you."

"How do you know Arletta?" "Camp besties!" Vanessa announced. She turned to Ara.

"Tyler's my cousin." "Cute. I can't believe you actually moved though!" "I was planning on for awhile, actually. I just needed a reason."

"So you went ahead and got yourself expelled?"

"Yeah. Hey I'm not a senior yet. Who needs a good reputation until your applying to colleges. I'll just be an angel this year and next year and boom! Harvard."

Ara laughed, "I don't think it works that way." "Whatever," Vanessa replied flippantly. "We need to catch up later." "Yeah, except for now we need to go home." "I actually think I could fit a few of you in my baby." "Your baby?" Tyler asked. "My new car." 

"I like it." The car was an orange 2017 BMW z4. "How can you afford this if your mom kicked you out?" Holly asked admiring the car. "My dad left me some." She said quietly. "Oh, I'm sorry I didn't know." Van nodded. Arletta decided this was a good time to interrupt. "Can we leave?"

"I call Van's car." Holly, Cora, Zach, Becca, Tyler and Lucy all exclaimed simultaneously. "I don't have room for all of you. Tyler go to Arletta's car." She winked at Ara who flushed slightly. She was going to need to have a talk with Van. The drive back was silent for the most part except for a squabble about music.

"Classical."

"No. I want to play my song."

"Classical."

"No. Who's driving the car?"

"Classical. Who's sitting shotgun?"

Frustrated, Ara didn't bother protesting when Tyler put on a lame channel that had classical music. The rest of the ride was pretty much silent until Tyler, noticing the empty road, suggested they play twenty questions.

"Why did you move?"
"My mom got remarried so I moved back with my dad." She said. "Oh," he said awkwardly. Arletta nodded and discreetly put on a better music. The rest of the ride was fairly quiet and Tyler fell asleep.

"Tyler," Ara said. No reply. A little louder she said, "Tyler." Finally, she shouted, "Tyler!" "What?" He mumbled sleepily. "Where do you live?" He grumbled something that sounded much like, "Can you drop me off at Zach."

"Wait, where does Zach live?" However, Tyler was already fast asleep.
She sighed and took him to her house. It was only evening but he was apparently exhausted and fell asleep on Arletta's couch.