"Okay, turn to page 55 in your textbooks and we'll continue from there."
First period proceeds as normal.
Usually at this time, I'd be enjoying a mid-class power nap after my all-nighter, but I can't get my mind off of the fact that I accepted Scarlet's invitation.
I simply could not resist those eyes. Regardless of how much she had belittled me, her beauty still managed to win against my better judgement. My hormones took complete control simply for a chance at maybe getting on her good side later.
As it turns out, I am very bad at being impartial where cute girls are concerned.
I think the most nerve-wracking part of all of this is that I'm going to have to sit there and fake a smile in front of that man-hater Jennifer. Just how much is she going to belittle me before I'm free to leave? Not even popular guys get off scot-free with her. What's gonna happen to someone like me who hangs out with Nick's group?
Seriously, I should think these things through before I agree to anything that risky.
"Heyyy, Chase."
I hear a whisper come up from my side.
"Hmm? What's up Sig?"
I turn towards him, and find that his hand is outstretched towards me.
In it is a folded piece of paper that most likely has some sort of message written for me.
I curiously stare for a moment before swiping it from his hand and unfolding it.
The paper reads as follows:
"I thought I should give you fair warning. Nick and I saw you in the hallway with Jennifer's friend."
"…"
Suddenly, everything clicks in my mind.
Geh! That's why he was on my case before class started… What a pain. He actually went kind of easy on me then, didn't he?
I reluctantly peek at the paper once more and continue reading.
"Don't worry. I managed to convince him that it probably wasn't that kind of conversation. I would be careful if I were you, though. He gets really upset when it comes to stuff like this."
I turn back toward Sig, who's peeking glances at my face while pretending to write studiously in his notebook.
I make sure to softly whisper to him as I reply.
"Don't worry, it isn't what you think it is"
At my words he could only sigh with a smile of relief.
"Ah, that's good news. I know Nick is acting kinda weird, but please try to go along with it for now at least. I think he only says those things about girls because they don't like him much."
"No no, as far as that group of girls goes I don't think it's something as petty as that."
I mean, Jennifer is almost as bitter about the opposite gender as he is. And Scarlet…
She's so basic!!
"I hope you're not referring to Momo-chan…"
"To tell you the truth, I have absolutely no idea why she's in the popular crowd."
"I guess so. It makes sense that a normie like you wouldn't notice her charm… Ufufufu…"
There's that 'normie' word again.
"By the way, um, on that topic…"
"Hm? What's up man?"
He fidgets for a little before the words can come out of his mouth.
"You may say it about Momo and her crowd but, I'm not entirely sure why you're friends with us either Chase. I mean, you're not that much into games or anime and you've got that annoying popular guy face. Seeing you with Scarlet earlier just felt, normal somehow. Like, like that's the crowd you belong to in the first place."
"It's… not that simple."
I pause deliberately for a moment before continuing.
"Like, not to be corny or anything, but there are things more important than being popular, you know."
Yeah, there's no way in hell I'm falling into the popularity trap like that. I've seen what it does to people. How warped your thinking can become when you chase after fame like that. That's not the kind of life that someone like me should involve himself with.
He looks down at his notebook blankly, seeming to ponder what I said for a moment.
"I see. Well sucks for you dude, you're stuck with us for the next four years."
He leans in closer with a grin.
"And just for the record, I'll be jealous if you get a girlfriend too, dumbass."
"Well you'll just have to work hard to get on Momoka's good side then."
He pulls back and nods his head as if to acknowledge my affirmation.
"Indeed, I promised myself that I would make senpai notice me soon. And when that day comes, we shall celebrate like it's the last day of summer."
"Yeah dude, sure."
I give up on understanding him and instead decide to take a glance over at Scarlet. She's focusing intently as she writes things down in her notebook.
She's an earnest student, huh?
Come to think of it, I don't really know much about her do I? She's mostly known for standing in Jennifer's shadow all the time. How good are her grades? What are her hobbies? Does she have any siblings?
Ahh geez, I just can't help but be interested in her, can I? As basic as she is, she's still super cute.
"By the way, if you don't mind me asking…"
I turn back to face Sig, who seems unusually chatty today.
"Hmm? What's up?"
"What were the two of you talking about in the hallway?"
"Ah, that. Scarlet kind of wanted me to…"
I quickly stop myself. Oh, shit… I forgot. I'm supposed to be eating with those three at lunch today.
How am I going to explain that?!
"U-uhh, that is… She, uh…"
Sig notices my stammering and immediately shoots a suspicious glance my way.
Ahh, dammit. This is bad. Should I just tell him the truth? I guess I don't have much of a choice here, do I? I'm already acting suspicious.
I sigh aloud and dig deep within myself to find the words.
"She… wanted me to preten-"
"Masters!"
"Ah! Yes!"
I reflexively stand up as the teacher calls my name.
"Mind repeating what I just said to the class? Or maybe you were too busy chatting to pay attention?"
"Uhm… You were discussing the Founding Fathers of America, weren't you?"
He turns away to look at the blackboard behind him and sighs, then turns back toward me.
"Masters, you're in Algebra 1 right now."
"…"
Snickers begin sounding from all corners of the room as I very clearly embarrass myself. The look of disappointment on our teacher's face is almost stiflingly cold.
"Y-yes, it was a joke. Sorry."
I sit down and bury my face into my arms, pretending to be embarrassed.
I take a peek at Scarlet in the corner of my eye who has her palm covering her face as well. I imagine this means I'm going to look like an even bigger dork to her friends, huh?
I turn back to Sig, who also seems to be suffering from second hand embarrassment. He's already completely dropped the subject in favor of paying attention.
Haaaa, I'm glad that got him off my tail for now.
But the question is—what am I gonna do about lunch?