The Health Project

Chapter 1

"Hi, my name is Zeinab Bazzi and my topic is called, I don't understand schools."

I paused for a second. These bitches didn't know that I was about to go ham on the education system.

"I don't understand schools. If you have a broken leg you don't have to do PE, but if you have social anxiety you're forced to do public speaking. It really does piss me off that teachers don't seem to understand some students suffer from mental disorders like social anxiety and force those students to talk in class for a grade. Like no thanks, but I'm perfectly fine listening and writing notes."

Another pause. That one was for my bestie, Sarah.

"Why is homework legal. It's literally putting hours of work upon already unstable teenagers after they were already forced to sit and deal with the exact same crap for 7 hours. It deprives us of sleep and we don't even get paid so it's basically slavery. Slavery is illegal."

Another pause. That's for my homie in homeroom.

"The fact that I have to choose between my grades and my own mental health is really messed up. The fact that some kids feel so uncomfortable about going to school each day that they get depressed and sick is an obvious sign that something is not right."

Another pause. That one was for me.

"My current mentality is 'i'm sad and I hate myself but I have to get good grades.' Our brains are sick but that's ok our grades matter more than our health anyway. Thank you. That was I don't understand school by Zeinab Bazzi."

I walked back to my seat as I was applauded I got multiple 'thanks for saying something' and looks of bewilderment because I actually said something.

"Thanks. I know there were a lot of pauses but this is drama class."

The bell rang before Mr. Wes could say anything but he gave the slight smile he gives students to tell them they just got a 100.

I walked out the door looking for Sarah. We go to the last period together. Health.

It's the first day back from the break which one day was taken to create that entire speech.

I spotted Sarah in her white polo crop top, blue ripped jeans, and black Nike Air Force 1's.

I was wearing a white crop top, a pink bomber jacket, blue ripped at the knee jeans, and all pink Adidas.

"Hey hoeeee. Hey, hoe's boyfrand." I slightly sang as I approached my bestie and slammed my Stitch backpack against her Snoopy backpack.

"Hey bishhhhh. Ash says hi." Sarah also slightly sang back.

"Hi, Zei." Ashton looked up from cuddling in Sarah's neck. He didn't like waking up because he was used to sleeping in over the break.

"How was the speech? Did it blow minds? Did Mr. Wes give the smile? Prolly. Your speech was amazing." That's Sarah. My best friend. My twin. She knows me better than I know myself.

"Yeah, and I'm assuming he gave you the smile too." I laughed at her as she almost ran into a pillar.

Her speech was about the dress code. It's pretty damn strict but the teachers that see us are cool with us. So we don't get dress coded but others who aren't cool with the teachers do.

We mostly cool with them because my mom is a lawyer and Sarah's mom does their taxes.

We entered health class and she went to her seat which is right next to Ashton. Mrs. Hannigan always favored Sarah so when she found out Sarah and Ashton were together she put them together. Don't get me wrong she likes me too I just have no boyfriend to sit by. But if I did have one she'd seat me by him.

Mrs. Hannigan started speaking and that's when I just zoned her out.

"This baby project will be over the course of three months."

I want breadsticks.

"Now, you and your partner of my choice will take care of a robotic yet realistic baby."

Will Olive Garden be open later?

"Alright, Once I read you off your partners go to them. April with Henry, Dan with Nicole, Sarah with Ashton..."

Maybe I should just swing by Chipotle. I really want breadsticks though...

"...Zeinab with Alessandro."

What.

Wait.

What.

The seat next to be scrapped across the floor and then a big masculine body slumped into it.

"Did you wanna practice making a child before we got it?"

I fucking forgot he was in this fucking class.

Alessandro was my crush in pre-k. I decided one day to go up to him and put my self out there because as a child I didn't think about rejection. I barely knew what it was. Anyway, he rejected me. Obviously. But he didn't just reject me with words he rejected me with a punch. Yeah, that's right. So like young me would do, I told him he was weak and ran off.

"No, but I would like it if I could punch you back."

His face contorted in confusion but then the bell rang.