TRIP

Chapter 2: TRIPWIRE

My new school was supposedly some hoity toity elitist institution called St. Nicetius. As it turned out, it wasn't that different from my old prep school back in Indy. Same teachers, same kids...

Same old shit.

I spent my morning learning how to navigate the halls, figuring out the school's layout, finding my way around. I was trying to keep a low profile, but I knew the deal. Being the new kid in a new city brought attention enough. But being the new kid in a small town felt like I was an animal on display at the zoo.

I think that was the part of moving to a new place that I hated most. It wasn't the loss of friends or familiarity or having to start all over again at a brand new school during my senior year for fucksakes... it was the ogling.

I'd already endured an entire morning of gawking, flirting, and never-ending questions. By third period, my patience was shot. I didn't know how much more I could take. Which of course is why I just had to be assigned a seat next to a chatty redhead during Computer Lab. We shared a work table, so not only was it easy enough for her to chew my ear off, but there was no getting away from her. Blah, blah, blah. Yes, I know where I'm going next period. No, I don't need a personal tour guide. The bell couldn't ring fast enough.

After computer class was lunch, so I fought my way through the crowded halls on my way to the cafeteria. Or, as I liked to think of it, the Coliseum. In my vast experience as a new kid, the simple act of grabbing a bite to eat was a cutthroat gladiatorial event. Lunch period may as well have been held in a prison yard.

I grabbed a tray and loaded it with a miserable-looking burger and fries before exiting the food line. I allowed myself exactly five seconds to size up the table arrangements in order to decide where I was expected to sit. The cafeteria in every school was always the same: Brainiacs banding together, burnouts off in a corner, geeks scattered throughout.

And then, inevitably, there was the Alpha Table.

It depended on the school of course, but the Alpha Table was normally comprised of the jocks. And if you wanted to suss out who the jocks were, all you had to do was find the hottest chicks. Cute girls and athletes always seemed to go hand in hand. In Indy, the basketball players were the kings, but I had a feeling this was a football town all the way.

My theory was proven correct as I scanned the room and spotted a super cute blonde with big, crunchy hair. She was seated at a center table with two huge apes and an absolute gorilla.

Definitely football players.

With my target acquired, I psyched myself up for the ritual hazing as I took a casual stroll through the middle of the room. Sure enough, as I passed by, the gorilla called me over. "Yo, New Kid!"

The rest of them snickered at that as I walked toward them, all heads turning in my direction. Gorilla leaned back in his seat and asked, "So, what's up, man? Who are you?"

"My name's Trip," I answered, holding out my hand.

Gorilla shook it. "I'm Rymer," he offered, before pointing to the rest of his tablemates in turn. "That's Sarge, that's Cooper, and that's DeSanto."

The big-haired girl rolled her eyes. "It's Lisa DeSanto. Nice to meet you." She cocked her head to the side and asked, "How come we don't know you yet?"

"First day."

"School started last week, you know."

"Yeah." I ran a hand over my hair, taking notice of the two apes talking (undoubtedly about me) under their breath. "Took me a little longer to get here from Indy."