Chapter 2: Chapter 2: Early Days
January 18th, 2017, 07:15 am.
Ray continues to annoy Ava as we amble down the hallway to our welcome ceremony.
The ceremony itself dragged on well past needed.
After assignment...I discover that Raymond, Ava and I are in the same class.
The three of us celebrate as we catch sight of each other in the hallway. As Ava walks away from my table to socialize with the other girls in the class, Ray and I are left to our devices, calmly chatting, and catching up on events.
Our conversation is interrupted rather callously by a group of 'Rough' individuals.
The first spoke clearly with a raspy and sarcastic tone.
He asked " So...you the kid with the special needs that everyone's talking about?..."
I scanned the company of boys surrounding him. Based on the combined dismal state of their clothes, I'd suspect they are the hitmen. The central figure seems to be the cleanest, suggesting he's the leader.
Getting into a confrontation with these guys would be...useless to say the least.
So I answered "Yes, that's me...I'm Terrence and this is Raymond"
Ray stares our guests down as I introduce him.
The group proceeds to look us up and down, catching Ava's attention.
She quickly scampers across the classroom and stands between us.
She hastily said "Frankie, please it's the first day. Don't start trouble with my friends..."
Quickly Frankie's attention turns to her
He blushed and blurted out "Ava...I had no idea we'd be in the same class this year..."
His friends chuckled lightly in the back at the embarrassing display, earning a look of disdain from him as looked back.
Ava looked at him skeptically before looking at me and asking if I was alright.
I answered "Why wouldn't I be? We were just having a nice chat."
She nodded and turned to sit in the desk next to me, Ray does the same on the opposite side, much to Frankie's dissatisfaction.
He sunk his hands into his pocket and sauntered toward the back to take his seat.
09:30
Our physical education class begins now. While Ray went ahead, I cleaned up my desk and got cornered by Frankie and his band of misfits.
He spoke in a low tone, saying "Listen, freak show, I don't care if your friends with her. Ava is mine. Got it?"
I nod slowly as he leaves the room
"He's not a nice guy is he..." Terri said laughing.
"No, not the nicest guy. But he made a critical mistake..."
"That being?" Terri inquired confused
"He threatened me and is trying to claim Ava..."
"Ahh...the age-old love rival appears to attack our protagonist's interest, what should he do?..." Terri said
"Forget the fictional references and just help me get him..."
"You entirely sure you want that...?" Terri asked
After closely thinking about it, I rejected the thought and left for the next class.
09:45
Frankie continues to shamelessly follow Ava. Ray and I sit on the bleachers watching closely as Coach Hastings waltzed into the gym.
Coach Hastings is the Physical Education director and Disciplinary Head. He prides student fitness levels in all of his classes...even though he is one of the larger teachers in the faculty.
'He means the coach is a fatass '
'Thank you for your input, Terri...'
'No problem...'
'I was being sarcastic smartass'
'Oh....'
The coach stood in front of us with his bulbous stomach flashing us from his waistline.
"Alright people...the usual...five laps around the gym" He yelled annoyingly.
Midway through my laps, Frankie tripped me on the court...my nose began bleeding profusely which sent me to the nurse's office. Long way through the hallways.
"Frankie has got to pay..."
"What are you going to do then?" Terri asked
"If he wants insanity we'll make him insane. Listen, Terri, I'm going to let you do this...but do not go overboard."
"Define overboard..." Terri chuckled
"Do not maim, taunt, threaten or hurt him directly in any way shape or form, Terri..."
Terri sighed and begrudgingly said
"Fine...But you're taking the most fun out the process."
11:00
My return to class is greeted by the concerned look of my classmates and the sound of distasteful snickering from Frankie and the misfits.
The nurse truly did all she could, I wound up with a broken nose and mask strapped across my face.
I took my usual seat beside Raymond and Ava as if nothing happened. Both exchanged a look of concern before continuing with their work.
12:00
Recess begins. I threw my head back relaxing in my chair as Raymond looked down at me.
"What's on the menu today then?" He asks cheerfully
"Honestly, I'm in so much pain, I don't really care. What are you thinking?"
Ray brandished his regular broad-faced grin.
"Chilly Fries?" He requested.
I nodded and he left quickly in the direction of the school cafeteria.
Frankie continued to pester Ava to her behest.
I myself gently hummed to no avail awaiting my companion's return.
12:15
Raymond arrives with two delectably aromatic boxes of thin-cut fries drizzled with spices and hot sauce. The two of us dig into our respective boxes as we observe Frankie's desperation.
"What are we going to do about him?" Ray questioned
I responded simply by shrugging my arms.
"Defend your girl, dude. Or else I might snatch her away from ya," he grunted before smiling.
"Really Ray? You take Ava. Both of you can barely stand each other."
"Doesn't mean it can't happen..." He mumbled
I chuckled softly before we both burst into laughter.
Ava finally walks away from Frankie and flops into her seat next to us, lying her head on the desk.
"He's an idiot, isn't he?" Ray inquired while leaning forward.
Ava appeared to nod and lifted her head
"I mean, he's probably a nice guy but I don't like him..." She explains.
Ray and I exchange a look of skepticism and laugh again.
Ava stares at us angered at her own confusion, she snatched a few fries away from us and consumed them ravenously.
Ray inched closer to me and whispered "Don't forget, you love that girl..."
13:00
Recess ends and our study hall begins.
I sketch and scribble in my notebook while Ray sketches quietly and Ava continues with her work studiously.
This was our basic free time for the day.
14:00
Work for the day is done. Ray and I peruse the halls as the culture of the school comes alive.
The elite cliques begin to gather around their collective hangouts.
At the base of the stairs are Chatterboxes, a group of non-stop gossip and scandal. Words twist around these people like dogs bark at cars.
Lounging around in the common room is the 'Botanical research society', basically a bunch of nerds with a penchant for medicinal herbs.
In the computer lab is the Tech support division or geek squad as their known around the school.
And then there's our clique...the literature club, the pariahs of school society, composed of myself, Raymond, Ava, and two additional members. Tyler and Sandy.
Tyler is a reclusive goth kid with very limited social skills and Sandy is the peppy socialite cheerleader, the two of them are best friends...
I've never understood their relationship but they're quiet and keep good company with discussion.
We all take our traditional seats in our tiny niche of the library.
Everyone started browsing the shelves as I begun formulating my plan for Frankie.
"So great leader...what is your plan of action to strike our foe?" Terri inquired
"If he wants insanity, let's make him insane..."
"What's the plan then?"
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