2
Bethany is the hottest girl on campus, all
blonde hair and sad eyes.
Her face is all white and angular, and when
she’s upset, she looks like a cute little animal.
The boys who don’t know any better start
chiming in to defend her:
“Cleo, that’s messed up. Just picking on
someone because they’re nice?”
“This is why I hate childhood besties. They
use that relationship to bully other people.”
“Jamie’s usually a nice guy, but, damn, his
bestie… Her voice is so cringey, she doesn’t
actually think acting cute will get people to
like her, does she?”
It gets so loud that the professor comes down from the stage, staring at us.
“What’s going on here? Don’t you know class
is about to start?”
Someone speaks up before I can. “Professor,
Cleo stole Bethany’s seat, and she’s saying
she got here first. She’s picking on Bethany!”
I’m about to explain when the teacher
silences me with a glare.
He asks Jamie, “Is that true?”
Jamie is closest to us, the only one who
knows what’s really going on. The teacher’s
trusting him; that makes sense.
I immediately look at Jamie, hoping he’ll
explain for me.
But he just glances at me, then nods:
“Cleo didn’t want to sit next to Dean, so she
<
took Bethany’s seat.”
I stand up so fast my chair nearly tips over.
“That’s not true!”
“Enough! Seats aren’t assigned, so there’s no
‘wanting’ to sit with someone. Young lady, if
you want a good seat, get here early. Class is
starting. Either sit in the back or get out!”
The professor slams his hand on the desk,
looking at me with disappointment.
“Cleo, you always participate in class, but I
didn’t realize you were this kind of person.”
I love history class.
I always get here early, read the chapter
ahead of time, and raise my hand to answer
every question.
Being misunderstood by my favorite professor
hurts.
I watch the professor walk away.
I want to run up and explain, tell him he can
check the security footage.
But all those words are drowned out by the
shrill ring of the school bell.
I drop my head into my hands.
