How To Kill a Dolphin

『~』

“Ms. Delphin, please read your homework.”

I make my way to the front with trembling knees. This isn’t the first time I’ll be speaking in front of a crowd but this is the only time I’ll be letting my guard down by saying what I really feel.

I clear my throat and begin,

“Maybe in some other time
A somewhere that isn’t here,
In a time that isn’t now,
We are kinder to each other,
Stronger in our bones,
Brave enough to love each other
In a way that should have been
As easy as falling asleep,
Yet somehow never was.” [©]

They clap politely. What am I even worried about? I know them well enough to misunderstand the piece.

“Oooh, Thaleigha’s in love with a bad boy!”

“No! It’s a love triangle. Right, Thals?”

“Could be a sugar daddy she’s fallen in love with.”

There’s a pandemonium of laughter. I join in not even knowing whatever the hell’s funny. Glancing at them, I note their humorous faces with slight annoyance. Great. I am another joke together with my floccinaucinihilipilification of a life.  

The din fades and Mrs. Moriarty speaks again, “Ms. Caster, your turn.”

A tall girl with brown curls and huge glasses strides forward. She’s my most timid block mate, and also one of the people I look up to. With brain like hers, it’s no wonder why most students plan diabolical strategies on defeating her for always having the top score. Lucky them, she’s too nice for their own good. She couldn’t care less about those achievements she’s done effortlessly. She’s a walking dictionary and calculator after all. Quite unbelievable, but yes, it’s true. And I’m one of her admirers.

She stops to face us, then start speaking in a quiet voice.

“Roses are dead
Violets wilt too.
Happiness drains
No matter what we do.”

She isn’t finished talking when I heard them. Talking behind me are Audriella and Monica, not even bothering to lower their voices. I was wondering what vendetta they have against Penny Caster when one of them poked my side.

“Thals, don’t you think she’s so highly of herself? I mean, yes, she’s smart but writing a poem as short as that? Gah! She’s irritating me!” gushes Audriella Chase, a blond model with eyes as small as her brain cells. Well first of all, we’re not on ‘nickname terms’ so I am surprised that she actually asked for my opinion about her non-sagacity.  

  "I personally think she's just showing off."

  "Or maybe she's not getting any attention at home."

   I turn around and saw the three of them there. The same reproachful glare plastered on their faces as they wrinkle their noses in pure distaste of our block mate. I look at each of them; from Monica Hale and her ruler-straight hair, to Hance Miller with his gleaming teeth, then to Audriella Chase. They all have stories but aside from their names and usual errands, I know nothing about them.   I bet they know just as much about me. Yet I am obligated to hang out with them.

   There's always an outsider to every blocks. And in ours, I'm probably one of them if not for those three. They're popular in their own ways; Audriella being the "boy magnet" for having looks like a stunning model, Monica being the music geek every one wants to be, and Hance being a debonair varsity player who gets most girls drooling over his feet. I was used being in the background until they came. At first they were just an asset to me, but things changed and the tables turned. I am now the advantage to them.