Super Lost

'Social Wreck'

The first day of school was nowhere near as excruciating as today had been, everyone's attitudes changed dramatically. The moment I arrived at school ten minutes late on account of my shattered clock, all eyes were on me. Once cynical glares, now welcoming and friendly smiles plastered to my confusion. Even the homeroom teacher excused my tardiness. I made my way to the exact seat from yesterday, closest to the door and secluded away from the rest of the students.

Luckily for me, Ben had declared his seat behind the two cheerleaders, the same who were ridiculing me the first day who now wave me an acute greeting as I entered the quiet classroom. I kept to myself while those who had already been assigned homework were nose deep in their books. I had been exercising my ability to tune in and out, peeping in on conversations or disregarding expecting shrill sounds like the bell, anticipating the release of class.

Government and Biology packets and corresponding textbooks were stuffed poorly into my bag, cramming the weighted sack into my locker to give my shoulders a break as I made my way to the parking lot, disregarding the cafeteria once more.

Sealing myself away, all to find the peak of familiar blonde locks above the sea of cars after closing the door to the Acura. Even my disapproving warning scowl wasn't strong enough to deter the perky senior, his captivating smile widening after approaching my passenger door. Before I could act to lock the door, he made his own entrance and allowed the drifting smoke pour out of the gap.

"I thought I made it clear that this wasn't a good idea." His premonition was only rewarded by a gust of smoke blown at his face after claiming the passenger seat.

"You did." I continued to puff the twisted cigarette, pushing the current towards Ben. "And if you rat on me, you will regret it." My voice grumbled, directing my gaze to scan the parking.

"Ooh, ominous." His smile fades however the sarcasm encouraged words were still upbeat. "I'm not going to tell. My dad would expel you so fast..." Amusement graced his tone. "And then no one would get your dad's money then." His playful cheer reintroduced, giving my shoulder a slight smack.

I understood he was just trying to be friendly, however that comment didn't sit right with me. I remained silent while I swallowed another puff, blowing the dancing smoke towards the dashboard.

"Speaking of things that 'piss you off'..." His head turned to glance out the passenger window, awaiting my interest. His smile turning feeble. "Guess who had the luxury of grading your English paper this morning." His words drawn slow, caution bleeding through.

I toss my glance towards him, causing my neck to stiffen. He doesn't give me the chance to guess, immediately admitting with deliberation. "AP class perks..." He introduced, smile spreading. "Mrs. Scott hardly ever grades papers herself." He shrugged through his confession, eyes peering through the corner awaiting my response.

I reclined into the chair while recollecting what I had written down, remembering I had revealed quite a bit about my personal side, leaving the recent discoveries out to protect my future identity. My bruised eye stinging from scrunching my face in reaction to the sudden catastrophic revelation.

"You have quite the potty mouth... and horrible spelling too." Expelling his amusement, his words broken through his hilarity to my disappointment.

"Introduction essays are a waste of time." I mutter, my hand reaching to card my fingers, catching in the tight curls. "Don't feel like you know everything, because you don't."

"Well, what if I want to?" He retorts, lips curling wider as his eyes glued to me.

My attention away from him, focusing in on a single car while stubbing the remaining butt into the familiar empty can, ash spreading its way like confetti.