I Hate School

Droopy-eyed, I stared at Mr. Evans going on about some algebra nonsense while writing on the whiteboard behind him. Not a single thought passed through my brain as I reached down to pull out a textbook from my non-existent backpack. For the second time today, reality punched me right in the gut.

I forgot my fuckin’ backpack.

I threw my head into my arms in a fit of rage.

Arghh, I was so caught up in streaming last night I can’t believe I forgot that it was Monday. I was having so much fun playing Fall Guys with my viewers, and then I got a huge raid! I just couldn’t stop then… and next thing I knew it was 4 am.

After finally settling down in my seat, the adrenaline began fading and a wave of exhaustion surged over me.

I’m so tired…

I rested my head for a moment and closed my eyes, listening to the rustling surrounding the classroom. Of course, our teacher was lecturing, but I tuned him out in order to listen to the soft whispers around me. Normally, one might expect to hear murmurs about my tardiness, but not once did I hear my name uttered. It stung just a little for how invisible I was.

“Excuse me, Hayley,” a voice rang out, causing me to bolt up. “Please try to stay awake for the lesson,” scolded Mr. Evans.

Apparently, I was not invisible enough to dodge the teacher’s gaze.

“Sorry, Mr. Evans.”

I propped my head up with my palms making an Eiffel tower with my arms and squinted at the chalkboard. It wasn’t because I needed glasses, well I do but, that’s not the reason why. It was a vain attempt to keep my upper eyelids from crashing down and bringing my whole head with it. Over the last year, I’ve almost perfected the art of nodding off in class. Keeping my head up was just one of many techniques I mastered. Another one being the art of perfect concealment.

As someone with a rather small figure, this was no challenge to me. It only helped that the person in front of me was Lucas, one of the school’s most prized athletes. Broad shoulders capped with mountainous traps and rippling back, you could comfortably hide two people my size behind this hulk of a man.

Being one of the most popular guys in school, most girls would envy me for getting to sit so close to him, but I couldn’t care less. Lucas is a total himbo with muscle for brains. Most importantly, he’s a total normie. I just can’t stand normies. If he was 2D then that would be another story.

I begin to doze off into sweet bliss and a whirlwind of thoughts surges through me. The AKB48 penlight I saw on eBay three days ago. Yesterday’s DoorDash order that got messed up, giving me Coke instead of Dr. Pepper. A random tweet about a cute little tree frog.

However, among all the meaningless chatter in my head, one thought comes into focus…

What should I do for my next stream… MINECRAFT! Wait, I played Minecraft two days ago. Maybe I’ll do Karaoke… No, that will be too exhausting. I have to take it easy for the next few days since I have that huge collab planned. Perhaps—

“Hayley, Hayley are you awake? Please pay attention.”

Instantly I fully snap back to reality.

Oh shit, how did Mr. Evans notice I was sleeping?

I quickly glanced around searching for an answer, which immediately presented itself to me. Everyone else had their textbooks out doing practice problems from the end of the chapter. Not only did I forget my backpack and all my textbooks, but it was the one day that I actually needed those stupid, over-sized, paperweights. On the eve of the chapter tests, Mr. Evans has us go through and review all the algebra we learned in that unit by doing section quizzes in the book.

Meekly, I raised my hand in response, “I uh- I forgot my textbook…”

“Okay, so why don’t you borrow a neighbor's book then?”

I froze for an instant before darting my eyes back and forth around me. Slowly a pit of anxiety began to build in my chest.

Borrowing, as in… sharing a book with someone while we do work?

I mean, it’s not like I can’t work with people. I’m more than capable of doing so, and I have in the past. It’s just that… I’d really prefer it if I didn’t have to interact with anyone. More specifically, normies. Something about them just really rubs me the wrong way. How they look down on hobbies like Anime and Idols for being ‘weird’. Nevertheless, I have to just suck it up and do it.

I turned to my left and put on a fake smile, “Hey Jaclyn, could you share your textbook with me?”

For a second I caught a glimpse of a disgusted look on her face, but I could have just imagined it. Turning towards me she brightly responded with a smile, “Yeah, of course!”

We scooched our desks together and I was hit with an overwhelming stench of perfume. It was probably her first time using it and slathered it all over her body. Most likely to try and impress some guy she knew. Jaclyn wasn’t one of the popular girls, but she was the kind of person that only cared about her appearance and guys. A textbook normie.

I pulled out some scratch paper and before I could even pick up my pencil, I felt a tap on my right shoulder. Shifting my gaze I saw a textbook being held by an outstretched arm accompanied by a scratchy, yet gentle voice.

“I finished so you can have mine”

I didn’t even have to look to see who it was. Anyone would know that it was Todd, the resident playboy of Newpark High. His scruffy blond hair and dazzling green eyes woo’d both guys and girls on sight, coupled with a sleek and toned body, he was a feast for the eyes. It didn’t help that he was also incredibly gifted, acing every single test while also being the president of ASG, the school’s student government.

“Thanks,” I muttered.

With a nod, Todd turned around and silently went back to his seat. While I was watching him return, I heard a whisper in my left ear.

“He’s kinda hot don’t you think?”

I complacently nodded in agreement before shifting my desk back to its original position.

“He’s just putting on a show, and you’re falling right into his trap,” I scoffed under my breath as I went to work on those god-forsaken math problems.