The Smith's Reasons (13RW)

The List

I knew it was time to sleep when Miss Strumm dragged the white screen into the room as class began. One information you should know about her is that she could take a really interesting class when she was prepared with her content. Whenever she brought a white screen to class, it meant that she wasn't prepared. 

I don't really blame her. She was human after all.

That day, she played an amazingly dull documentary about penguins. The narrator had a deep and soothing British voice, which reminded me of someone, probably someone from a TV show I had watched.

I stopped paying attention to the content after fifteen minutes. Enough of concentrating, I told myself. I played a game of 'Who is the Narrator' and was silently excited when I realised that it was none other than Benedict Cumberbatch.

The real reason I couldn't concentrate to the cute penguins was due to the continuous whispers from the jerks inside the classroom, who were probably talking about 'who had the better weekend' and all the other nonsense things that they spoke about.

As I was going to excuse myself from the class, a hand tapped me on the shoulder, which was very unusual because no one disturbed me during class. It was an unspoken rule. I turned around and saw that it was Jeremy Jones, holding a paper in his hand. He handed it to me and smirked silently as he leaned back on his chair.

The whispers stopped and tension filled the room as people saw me take the paper.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Alex Standall straighten up in his seat and Justin Foley look away. I noticed the murderous look on Jessica Davis' face but I also noticed the mixed emotions on Hannah Baker's face. Was she on the verge of tears or was she angry?

I decided that I would talk to her after class. I also thought, "What the hell? Let's see what this piece of paper was." And man, was I mad after reading the title.

Freshman Class--Who's Hot / Who's Not.

I recognised the handwriting right away but I still had my doubts because there were only two people in the room who were nervous as hell.

The whispers increased as I continued to stare at the paper. I didn't see the names on the list because I didn't have any reason to. It didn't concern me.

"Please concentrate," said Miss Strumm and the voices lowered down but continued whispering about me. At least, she didn't grab the paper as it got passed around.

I'm sure you're wondering why the whispers increased only as I got the paper. People were generally afraid of me, which is definitely for the best. They know me as the "goody-two shoes that takes everything way too seriously." Listen, I took things seriously when they were serious. I could be a really fun person once you got to know me.

They were wondering whether I would go to the Principal and I was pretty sure that someone bet two dollars on whether I would report the incident or not.

I knew exactly what I had to do. And it wasn't approaching the faculty.

As class got over, Miss Strumm handed our assignments for the week. People started leaving class and I noticed that Hannah was still in her seat but Jessica stormed out as soon as she got her assignment. I also saw Alex leave the room quickly.

Weighing the options in front of me, I decided that I would talk to Hannah later. I had to deal with a crap-bag first. "Alex!" I called after him as he rushed through the crowd of students leaving their respective classrooms.

He didn't turn around, which made me run and stand in front of him before he started running away from me. "Oh. Natasha," he said, trying to avoid eye contact. He started rubbing his eye, brushed his hair and did everything possible to not meet me in the eye.

"You know what's interesting?" I pulled the page out and showed it right in front of his face. He stared wide-eyed at it, probably wondering how he could deny it. "This list made its way to me in class today. Find it very amusing making people feel insecure about themselves, huh?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." 

"Oh, really? So you're telling me that you didn't write this list?" I pointed to the paper, hating every second that I was holding it up. "Because that handwriting very much resembles yours."

"Do you need something or can I go? I'm getting late for my next class." He kept looking around as if wondering whether someone would come and save him. Thank goodness no one was responding to his secret eye glares.

That was what happened in this town. People ignored you whenever you needed help. "Do you mean 'the hall'? It's lunch."

"Look man. What's your problem? You're not even included in the list." 

He finally looked at me.

"Did you write it?" The sheet of paper was actually weighing me down. It was such a nasty thing to make a list like that in the first place. And the passing it around? Idiots.

"Yes, okay? I wrote it and that's my handwriting. Can I go now?"

"Not so quickly."

"Look, I don't want any trouble."

"Neither do I."

"Okay. So can I have it back, then?" He tried to grab it from my hand but I pulled it back. Predictable Alex.

"Ah ah. Not that easy." I waved it in air simply to taunt him. If he used psychological warfare, I had a much better technique in mind, even though it was simply never work with small-minded people like him.

"Can you give it back? That's mine."

"You know what, Standall? I know that this belongs to you. But do you know where you belong?" I tore it in front of his eyes and dropped the pieces inside the dustbin nearby. "Sayonara, Standall." I waved at him and walked towards the lunch hall without looking at him twice.

On my way, I saw two girls smile at me. One of them clapped and the other one saluted me. I bowed down facing them before entering the hall, feeling satisfied after making a wrong right.