Hating Stereotypes is Overrated

Chapter 1

Deep breaths

Deep breaths Lyn

I pushed open the door and froze.

Holy shit

I was standing in the commons, facing row upon row of tables. It felt like everyone was staring, but I knew they weren't. I swallowed and moved on.

My sneakers squeaked as I walked, and I cringed inwardly. I always hated that sound. I hurried onward, in a rush to find my locker and make my way to class.

It took forever to find. I circled the halls what felt like dozens of times before I was directed downstairs. I found locker 358 at the row farthest to the right.

I shoved everything wherever it would fit in my haste, not really trying to organize. I didn't want to be late on the first day. Well, my first day.

I grabbed everything I thought I would need for my first class. Chemistry.

Gee. I bet that one's exciting.

With my arms full of random rap I probably wouldn't even use, I set off for Mr. Ries' room. Crossing my fingers that I wouldn't have to circle the school another ten times looking for it.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, I found it on the first try. With a sigh, I pushed into the room and set my stuff down on an open table. I sat there, in an empty classroom, wondering why no one was coming in.

The first bell sounded, and I jumped. With each passing second, I became a little more anxious. Where was everyone? Was I in the wrong classroom? Was there more than one Mr. Ries? Did he have another lab somewhere they were all supposed to meet at?

I swear to god if I embarrass myself on the first day

The door opened and a tired looking boy in a hoodie stepped in. He gave me a calculating look for a moment before sitting at a table on the other side of the room.

He was the first of many. All the students flooded in at the last minute, crowding into the room and looking for seats. There didn't seem to be a seating chart, as the students switched seats constantly, trading so they could sit by their friends.

To my surprise, a group of girl sat down at my table, effectively surrounding me. Their perfume was almost overpowering, and they all leaned in eagerly. The girl right across from me, the ringleader, presumably, spoke first.

"You're the new girl, right?"

Oh god. I'm the new girl now.

"Yeah. That's me."

The girl with the thick lips beside her sighed dramatically.

"Oh thank god. We thought we wouldn't- Ow!" Thick Lips glared at Ringleader but shrank away when the look was given right back. There was clearly a pecking order in this school. What a wonderful start.

"We thought you should sit with us at lunch." Ringleader was smiling, but her eyes were steely cold. It wasn't a suggestion. When I didn't answer straight away, her eyebrows furrowed and her perfect pink lips puckered in a sour expression.

"Well?"

I didn't have time to think.

"Sure."

Instantly, she smiled at me again. Those perfect teeth unnerved me.

"Awesome! We'll see you there!"

I was about to ask exactly where they would be sitting, but as if he knew my current vulnerability, Mr. Ries stepped into the room and began the lecture.