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In the short time Mr. Garner's been here, we've become well acquainted, considering I'm sent to his office at least once a
week. I blame the Honesty curse and defensive educators. He knows I make decent enough grades. I get my assignments done--eventually. And I don't start fights on school property--mostly.
"Be good, Lana," Mr. Garner calls after me as I pass through the office.
My platform shoes clunk loudly on the linoleum as I continue down the hall in my pleated skirt, thigh-high tights and fitted tank. I pass by the dented and busted green lockers of the sophomore wing and reach mine just as the bell rings. The halls fill with a burst of voices.
"Please tell me you told that pruney bitch to sit and spin." Tori appears beside my open locker, sparkling in a strapless sequined top and skintight capris.
"You knew I was going to wear my platforms, didn't you?" I grin, eyeing her five-inch red pumps.
"I can't let you be taller than me when we walk down the hall," she says with a huff. "Besides, I look killer in these shoes."
"Until you start bitching about your feet hurting," I tease. "And, no, I didn't tell the bitch off. But I did question her dedication as a teacher. That didn't go over very well."
Tori laughs. "If she only knew."
"Not my fault she doesn't know how to hide her password."
I printed out the test in advance and helped Tori complete it. Tori pretended to work on the problems during the exam but passed in the correct one at the end--well, not completely correct. We didn't want to be that obvious.
"Speaking of"--I reach into my messenger bag and pull out her assignments--"here you go."
"I don't know why you bother. You know it's not important to me." She takes the books from me anyway.
"I'm not starting junior year without you," I tell her.
My motives for doing Tori's homework and papers are purely selfish. She's the only person I claim as a friend in this school, and I won't lose her because she doesn't give a shit about her future. Most of the students in this school don't have a future worth looking forward to--myself included. But being here is better than working a minimum wage job or dealing on the streets. Might as well show up for the next two years.
"It's not like I'll graduate."
"Shut up." I reply. "You are graduating."
I made a promise to her father that he'd see her graduate. She'll be the first in his family to actually hold a diploma, and well ... I promised. And breaking a promise is worse than lying, so it's happening even if I have to hack into every teacher's computer and do all of her assignments for the next two years.
"Whatever," she says with a dramatic roll of her eyes. "You're coming over after school, right?"
I pause. Tori's eyes tighten.
"I have to go home first. I didn't bring my clothes for tonight."
Tori still appears suspicious. "We're going out. Friday night is my night."
"I know. Relax, okay?"
I close my locker, and we begin walking down the hall. We're not in the same class, but Tori has no problem with being late ... ever.
"Nick left, and my mom's taking it pretty hard. I want to check on her before we go out." I stop in front of my classroom. "I'll explain at lunch."
Tori shoots me a death glare. "Sorry your mom's sad, but you're not bailing."
Tori does whatever she wants, when she wants, and she doesn't care who she has to shove out of the way to do it. I'm her best friend, and even I know she's a bitch. Admittedly, I'm one too. Obviously, Consideration isn't her curse. But, ironically, Loyalty is.
Somehow, I survive geometry and American government without shoving a pen through my temple.
"What are you up to tonight?"
I try to ignore the voice coming from beside my locker, but sadly, he's still standing there when I close it.
