She Wears the Pants

You Will Pay

The ocean uncurled in Jodie's aquatic blue layers, with each bounce and toss her hair effortlessly twirled against the dip of her collarbone.
A hint of raspberry, mint aroma drifted from the pores of her silky skin, as she laughed.

Jodie bubbled over like a fresh bottle of champagne when she squealed with delight, "Kevin talked to you?!"she gasped as I told her my story.

I grabbed a warm muffin from the express line, tossing it onto my plate, "He seems nice" I shrugged.

"It's the panties" Jodie whispered, adding a wink.

"Yeah, he made up some lame excuse, something about a watch just to talk to her, and Kevin even called her his Brownie" Thai added, as we looked around the full cafeteria for a seat.

Jodie's excitement doubled, as she jumped around.

"It's like giving a squirrel nuts. Don't encourage this" I warned Thai.

I knew Jodie would blow everything out of portion. She was the type of bitch to leap to conclusions, or nosedive. I knew she would totally blow this out of the park.

"HE WANTS TO MARRY YOU!" Jodie shouted a little too loud.

A few heads turned and Thai and I secretly died of laughter.

This was exactly my point. Someone needed to buy  Jodie a parachute.

The morning chatter started to rise, echoing through the big acoustic building. The smell of coffee roasting and greasy morning foods filled our nostrils, as we admired the social jungle around us.

There were so many cliques and it was all hierarchy. Some were connecting, others were laughing and flourishing. Then there were the athletes, and last but not least, the freshmen aka the fresh babies as we would be called.

I didn't mind being at the bottom of the totem pole, it meant more time to decide who we wanted to be. Some people were born popular and others just weird and dark, but the beauty of being nobody meant eventually you could be someone.

Jodie didn't feel the same.  She scowled as her eyes darted across the room, "Faya is sitting with Kevin and all the popular kids" she pointed out.

"That should be your seat!," she said protectively.

I rolled my eyes, "It's just a seat" I reminded her.

Thai who was face deep in her pastry, came up for air, "it's social hierarchy, where we sit defines who we know for the rest of our lives. Sorry, I have to agree with Jodie on this one. You should be sitting over there."

I thought quietly, as I watched Faya laugh and chat, a forced smile on that usual resting bitch face. It actually looked quite painful for her to be nice, while Kevin entertained her politely.

I slammed down my book, a crazy, preposterous, but equally exciting idea came to mind "Fuck this ladies, grab your trays, and let's go sit at their table!" I announced.

Thai and Jodie both gasped, a look of sheer shock on their faces.

"She's serious!" Jodie told Thai, as she watched me strut towards the front tables.

I could hear Jodie scrambling to collect herself behind me.

My heart raced, the closer I got the more my feet started to feel heavy, but I kept walking straight. It was too late now to get cold feet.

Kevin smiled, looking up with me, "Hey Grace!" he said standing up.

Faya's smile broke and all her teeth fell out as her face scrunched with disgust.