Short Stories

My Fake Boyfriend - Short Story 12

"Good morning, Mrs. Abrahm," my third-period English class mumbles to our teacher as she enters the classroom. 

Mrs. Abrahm sets down some books and begins rifling through some paper. I quickly tighten the ponytail which is trapping my brunette hair and glance around at the class. 

There are the A+ average kids, the smart ones, with their homework from the night before sitting on their desks. There are the shy kids who don't say anything, instead look down at their desks like they are the most interesting. 

Then there are the popular kids, including Brooklyn Claire, the meanest, bossiest, and most annoying girl in school who, for some reason, hates my guts. Along with other snotty girls are some popular boys, like Dylan Jones, who is the "hottest", "coolest", "most popular" guy in school. But I don't get it. Past those perfectly styled, blonde locks of hair is another rude, inconsiderate boy. I should know, we've been going to school together since kindergarten.

Finally, there are the nice, friendly kids who have a nice handful of friends, but nobody else cares because they're not wearing the hottest clothes or the prettiest makeup or the coolest sneakers. These people include me, Ellie Reel, my best friend, Lizzy Hall, and some other mutual friends.

"Alrighty, everyone please get out your homework," she says. Shuffling fills the room as everyone pulls out their essay on the importance of punctuation. Mrs. Abrahm begins collecting the papers, and I begin to zone out, thinking about what I'm going to eat for lunch.

"Miss Reel, I asked you a question." A voice makes pull my head out of my thoughts. I look up, and everyone is staring at me.

"Wh-what?" I ask. People snicker.

"I asked you on your opinion about the upcoming School Spring Fling using two of our vocabulary words," she said. I cleared my throat.

"Um... I-I'm going to be at home, enjoying the tranquility of my house because I'm not going to the dance. I think dances are pretty implausible," I say. Mrs. Abrahm nods.

"Good sentence, but why do you think they're so bad?" she asks. I shrug.

"Maybe it's because she's never had a boyfriend to go with!" a voice, none other than Brooklyn Claire calls out. Everyone laughs.

"Th-that's not true!" I protest. Except, it was 100 percent true. I've never had a boyfriend, let alone gone to a dance with one.  

"Settle down, class!" Mrs. Abrahm calls. She goes to the front of the room to continue the lesson.

***

"Can you believe Brooklyn had the nerve to say that?" I complain to Lizzy as we look for a table at lunch.

"I can't believe you told the whole class that you've had a boyfriend before!" Lizzy says, "we both know it's not true. Just avoid Brooklyn if you can."

"What did you say about me?" Of course, Brooklyn walks by as Lizzy says that. She is accompanied by more popular people, including Chloe, Becca, Joey, Marcus, and Dylan, who looks miserable to be with them.

"Nothing," I mutter.

"Well, I sure have something to say," Brooklyn says loudly. Everyone nearby stares at us.

"Remember in English class you said you actually did have a boyfriend? I was just wondering who it was." I don't say a word.

"Attention!" Brooklyn announces, causing every head to turn our way, "Will the boyfriend of Ellie please come here? We need to see if you actually exist!" Nobody gets up; a ripple of laughter fills the classroom.