"So where did you used to go to school?"
"Where do you live?"
"Are you new in this area?"
"Would you be interested in joining the manga club?" (what….)
I have never received so much attention in class since I peed in my pants once in grade school. That was traumatic.
All this attention should have been flattering, but I also found them nauseating. I simply wasn't used to this sort of thing, being surrounded by boys and girls around my desk with all eyes on me and everyone competing to talk to me.
"I'm sorry, I'm not sure how I can answer them all…"
"Right-, you heard her. Rock, Paper, Scissors - let's go!"
One of the boys suggested and everybody accepted it straight away.
Just what is happening… people doing rock paper scissors to talk to me…
"Woohoo! I win - so, are you new in this area?"
"Er… Kind of. I always lived in this city but not in this part"
"Where do you live?"
"The South East Riverbank area"
"Whoa! You must be loaded!", one boy exclaimed and another girl poked him on his side as if to say 'don't be so tactless'.
"Did you used to go to school there?"
Ok, this was a tricky question. If I said I used to go there but then transferred here, it can only be seen as a step-down. But then again, if I say I've never been there but anybody finds out that I did spend the first few months of high school there, then that would make me look like a liar who tried to hide an embarrassing past. Fortunately, though, I had my answer prepared for this one.
"Yes, I did enroll. I didn't quite like it there though"
"Why's that? Isn't that like a really good school?"
"Hm… how do I say this-. I probably shouldn't put it this way, but let's just say I found the people there a little too spoiled. Many bratty kids there"
I knew - because I was here before, duh - that the kids from this school and area, the North West District, had a bit of an inferiority complex against the kids from the other side of the river. Semi-badmouthing them will be taken well by the students here.
":Tsk: Here she acts like a princess but she probably couldn't fit in there"
Finally, someone said something negative. I knew the voice though, it could only be Soojin, an annoying delinquent bitch that used to join in the bullying me now and then. I knew kids gathered around me thought Soojin was out of her line, but nobody dared to say anything back.
"And it was also too much work. I was kinda forced to get into the student council and I had no time to do anything fun", I ignored and continued.
"Whoa - you were in student council in the South East Academy?"
"Not like I wanted to be. I was just chosen as a candidate and was voted for. I didn't mean to run for it or anything"
":Tsk: That's even more annoying"
Should I let this slide?
No.
I turned my head a bit to face Soojin, who was standing just a little far enough from me to give the impression that she wasn't interested in me - but why are you even listening to the conversation and talking then? Bitch.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend. Did I say anything to upset you?"
Yes. I hit just the right tone between sounding naive and consciously bitchy. This will trigger her.
"You think you are going to be some kind of a princess among plebs here? Huh?"
I didn't mean to be too confrontational from the start, but I couldn't allow myself to be trampled on the first day either - oh no, not as Jenn.
But just as I was about to retort, Hechan stood up from behind me and walked over to Soojin, putting his arm around her shoulder.
"Now, now, Soojin-. Let's give the new girl some peace"
Soojin was visibly upset that Hechan was standing up for me, but she seemed to be blushing a little. Huh? Why haven't I ever noticed this before?
Hechan gave me a little wink (SICK!) and walked off with Soojin.
"Sorry about that… Jenn. That's Soojin. She is a little… difficult"
One of the girls whispered into my ear quietly.
Gees! That sent tingles down my spine. I don't think I've ever had a girl's lips so close to my ears before. Calm down - I can't get all weird here. I will just do what she did.
I then turned my head to bring my lips close to her ear and whispered,
"Thank you. But it's okay"
My heart was thumping because, again, I'd never been so physically close to a girl's ear before, but eh? Why is THIS girl blushing?
"So… how do you come to school here then? Isn't it too far from the South East?"
"I come here with a car"
"Your parents drive you here?"
Well, it would be pushing it a little to say that I've got a driver.
"My uncle helps me"
"I see"
"Ok, my turn! My turn!"
One of the boys - Chin, as I remember - enthusiastically butted in.
"Do you want to join the manga club?"
It was a little sad because, as my previous self, I DID want to join the manga club. But I was so low in the class hierarchy that even a geek like Chin looked down on me back then. I shall put you in your place too someday, but not today.
"Thank you so much for the offer, but would it be okay if I took some time to consider other clubs too?"
Chin didn't look downcast at all by my rejection but just seemed over the moon that he had a chance to exchange words with me.
Then the school bell rang signaling the end of the recess, and everybody scuttled back to their seat as the next class' teacher walked in.