More than Big Boned

3. Oh, Coming From You, You Hypocrite

The rest of the class files in. I watch as Bianca sits in the middle of the room between Abby and Paris with Samantha on the outside. Paris moves herself so her back faces Samantha, blocking her out of the conversation. Samantha tries to lean over her desk to join in, but Paris seems to have other ideas for her.

Some boys enter the classroom, Bailey and his best mate Steven included, and they sit in the row in front of Thomas and I.

A voice pulls me out of my lull. "Martina? Marty? Hey, I'm talking to you." It's Thomas. He clicks his fingers in front of my face and I draw my eyes to meet his.

"Sorry," I say. "Just thinking about stuff." I smile slightly at Thomas.

"That's fine. Why didn't you come after me when I left the bathroom? I was waiting for you at your locker," he says. "But then I checked the time and it was a minute until the bell went and you know Mrs Ronald hates people who are late. Luckily I was first there so I get special treatment for a week if I keep turning up early."

"Yeah, I guess that's good. But, I did go after you. Well, I thought it was you. It was actually," I drop my voice to barely a whisper, "Bailey." I point to him and watch as he messes up his hair and laughs at something his friend Newt said.

"Well, look at you, Miss Lucky," Thomas laughs and I blush, looking down at my hands.

"Right, silence please. Good morning, class," greets Mr Barnes in an almost too cheery voice.

"Morning," everyone grumbled back.

"C'mon, where's the spirit, the liveliness?" Mr Barnes tries again. "Good morning, class!"

"Good morning, Mr Barnes," we say louder and in a happier tone.

"Finally," Mr Barnes chuckles to himself. "So, how are we feeling about grade twelve everyone?"

There are murmurs of 'good', 'OK' and 'not too good'.

Mr Barnes nods at everyone in understanding, although, I'm pretty sure he couldn't tell who said what.

"Well, whatever you think, it's going to be a great year of new possibilities, a newfound happiness, love..." Mr Barnes' voice drawls on and I can't hear him anymore. I'm too focussed on Samantha whispering in Paris' ear, glancing at me and laughing silently.

Paris looks shocked for a second then joins in laughing and motions towards Bianca. Samantha nods and Paris swivels in her chair and whispers something in her ear. Bianca turns to look at me and Thomas and I'm sure I'm giving giving her a death stare because her eyes widen and she turns around quickly. Bianca whispers to Abby and her mouth forms an 'o' shape.

"So, we'll be starting assignments up next lesson which is tomorrow, I believe. But right now, I'm just handing out a revision sheet about things you would've done last year in English," Mr Barnes holds up two piles of sheets in his hands. "Who wants to help hand these out for me?"

No one raises their hands.

"Alright, I guess I'll have to choose someone then. Bailey, you can come up. And... perfect! Martina," Mr Barnes smiles at me as I look up at him and give him a disappointed look. He shrugs back at me and I get out of my chair and walk up to the front.

Chatter starts up again as Mr Barnes hands me a pile of paper and I start handing them out. I get to the middle row at the same time Bailey does. We're walking towards each other and we lock eyes.