The Class Agreement

2

I grunt placing the 90-pound dumbbells at my feet. I feel my sweat sticking to my hair and body. I take a few deep breaths, exhaling through my mouth. My arms are on fire right now. I scan the partially empty school gym, looking for my next potential work out.

"Is that my favorite dyke?" I heard from behind me.

I turn around to a head full of curly hair and a skinny frame. I almost didn't recognize Tommy. He's changed a lot since I've last seen him a year ago. His large grey tank top and baggy black basketball shorts hang off his body.

I smiled, "Still a small stick I see. Looks like you're wearing drapes over that skeleton you call a body."

He punched my shoulder lightly, "I'll get bigger than you, just you wait, asshole."

I watched him walk around me with his beat-up black Converse.

"Converse to a work out? Ever heard of Nikes or Adidas? Sneakers that actually support your feet?"

He smirked, "Not everyone can be in the latest gym attire. How've you been? You look ... bigger. Way bigger."

I shrugged, feeling the sweat on my skin starting to dry, "Same old, I guess."

He folded his arms, "You're back in school."

"Yeah. Kinda have to graduate before it's too late."

"Well, you didn't come to Government today. You missed the super hot new teacher."

"Ah, I see we have the same class ... you also think anyone with a vagina is hot. I'm not trusting your judgment."

He laughed, "She's actually gorgeous though. Real young. I was shocked when I heard your name during roll call. How are you adjusting?"

"Adjusting," I answered. "I saw the guidance counselor today — that's why I didn't come."

He scoffed, "They're really going through with all this."

"So ... this is a real thing?" I asked curiously.

He shook his head, making his curls sway and bounce, "Your extremely scary reputation wasn't the only thing that made them change shit you know. I wouldn't be surprised if they're singling people out too."

I rolled my eyes to his comment, "What happened while I was gone?"

"Some freshman attempted suicide among an influx of recorded depression, bullying, and more fights. Apparently there was a small drug bust too."

"Shit ..." I whispered. "It got that bad huh?"

Tommy sat down on the ground a few inches away from the dumbbells. I remember him as the class clown. Always with a smile and with his group of outcasts.

Him and I have never actually been close friends. Friends at all, even. We only know each other because of past mutual friends.

"You okay?" I asked studying him.

He pulled his knees to his chest, "Just thinking about what life is gonna be like after all this, you know? I'm scared. These four years flew by."

"I hear that."

I resonate with that spiritually. We're in school for our whole lives and forget that we actually have a life to live. We're conditioned for school and capitalism it seems.

"If you're serious about working out, I can help," I offered, trying to change the anxiety polluted subject. "Everything is easier with a workout buddy. Help take your mind off things."

He perked up, "Really? Gonna share all your roids with me?

I busted out into a laugh, "Fuck you."