Hollowed Studies is not a typical 8th grade class. Math, sure. English, typical. But Beth was a bit off-putted by the sight of Hollowed Studies. It took the place of study hall. When Jane also had the class 5th hour, Beth new what was up. Hollowed Studies was not just a typical class. It was a class for Hollowed Kids.
Beth liked to believe no one knew she was Hollowed. But, normal kids have their mouths showing most of the time. Ever since grade school started, Beth's mouth and lower neck were wrapped up in a scarf. And believe me, it was not because she was cold, or that her parents never got her braces, or anything like that. In fact, no amount of dental work could even begin to fix poor Elizabeth Malone's jaw. Ever since the age of two, everything below Beth's nose had rotted away. Her exposed teeth and bone were quite a sight. The poor girl wouldn't be having her first kiss any time soon. Beth's teeth and tongue were left completely intact so she could talk and eat, but she looked rather creepy from the nose down. Her blonde, unkempt hair and bluish, yellow eyes were rather average. Her long nose curved up at the end, and she had a rather pale completion.
Jane's Hollow only really effected her eyes. They were black, almost navy blue. She was really pretty, but looking directly into her eyes caused Beth to throw up. Hence the sunglasses. Jane had wavy, light blonde hair that cascaded from her head. She always seemed to appear well put-together. She had a soft smile and a small button nose.
Jane flopped down in the empty seat next to Beth.
"It's the first day," she whispered. "Did she have to call me out like that?"
Beth just smiled (with her eyes, mostly).
"Students." Mrs. Belcwood addressed the class. "I'd like you to introduce yourselves."
"Not this," Beth breathed.
"I'd like you to say your name, your favorite color..."
"How cliche." Jane laughed.
"...And please show us your Hollow."
Beth's jaw dropped. (Figuratively, I mean.)
"Let's start with Ms. Hewins, shall we? Since she had the audacity to show up late on the first day. Haven't you heard of first impressions-"
"It's the first day!" Jane interjected. "How the crap was I even supposed to find it anyway? It's the size of the teachers' bathroom!"
"That is enough Ms. Hewins." Minus her harsh tone, Mrs. Belcwood seemed completely calm. "Please just introduce yourself."
"Fine!" Jane barked. "I'm Jane Hewins, my favorite color is purple, and my demonic looking eyes make people barf and faint, okay? Anything else Mrs B?"
"Jane," Beth said. "You might want to sit down."
Jane begrugdingly took a place in the cheaply made plastic chair.
"Okay Elizabeth, care to share next?" Mrs. Belcwood asked, as though it was a question. "I'm going in a clockwise circle."
"It's Beth," Beth said. "My favorite color is red, and I have no flesh on my jaw."
"Really?" the teacher's eye lit up. "Care to show us?''
"Yes, actually." Beth said, rather sheepishly.
"You don't wanna see it." Jane pipped up. "It's gross."
"Thank you, Ms. Hewins." Mrs. Belcwood continued to the next student.
There are a vast variety of Hollows in the room of 13 students. There are tentacles, and scales, and even a boy who hovered a few inches above the ground.
But nothing striked Beth as odd until Mrs. Belcwood asked to see her after class.
