September 1st

"Ah we meet again," Charlie said as I shamefully walked into the main office. He was sitting in the same chair as before.

"Yep," I said. Another boy walked in behind me, steam practically coming out of his ears.

"Charlie," He greeted angrily. His hand was clenched around a pink slip.

Charlie laughed, "Now why are you here Ash?" He asked, obviously amused.

Ash was a completley, helplessly goody two shoes. It was my fault that he was here yet I felt no sympathy. "Well 'And Peggy' here couldn't keep her legs to herself."

"It's Penny," I mumbled, though I definitely didn't miss his Hamilton reference.

"Whatever." He waved me off. "So she totally trips me and when I yell at her she starts getting all apologise-y and then we're both yelling and I'm ticked and she's all 'I'm so sorry I didn't mean it' and I'm all 'Yeah whatever' and then," He gasps for air, "Mr. Hall is all 'You two office' and now I'm here." He lets out a breath and slumps into a chair only to be waved back by Mr. Honch. He groans and gets back up, trudging around to where I'll soon be.

I sit in the chair next to Charlie and sigh. "I really didn't mean to trip him."

Charlie let out a laugh, "Ha, no kidding, look at you," He gestured to all of me, "you and your 'And Peggy' self." He looked me up and down, "I'm guessing you'd never hurt a fly."

"Well I'd never hurt a fly cause a fly isn't necessarily trying to hurt me at all," I rambled.

He cut me off, similar to that of a music director, "Point proven." I smiled, feeling my face turn red.

"Why are you here?" I asked.

"Oh sometimes I just sit in here." He said. "I should be in advanced guitar but," He trailed off, raising his voice on but.

"You're here." I finished.

He smiled, flashing his white teeth, "Yep!" He glanced back towards Mr. Honch's office. "I reckon Ash is gonna get one after school for 'verbal conflict' and you'll get off with a warning." He put air quotes around 'verbal conflict.'

"Really?" I asked. I rubbed my fingernails together nervously.

He nodded, "Yeah I'm in here a lot."

"Hmm I couldn't tell." I joked.

He rolled his eyes. "You're cool Penelope."

"Barely."

"Nah, you're cool." He nudged me with his shoulder, "Hey, sit with me and my friends at lunch, yeah?"

"Oh, I already told Jasmine I'd sit with her." I said. Why was I sad?

"Funny story, I totally sit at her table." He laughed, "How cool is that?"

I felt the corners of my mouth turn upwards, "Rad."

"Alright then. So your seventh period is?" He asked me.

"Free period." I said trying to remember my schedule.

"Cool me too. Hang out with me in the library. It'll be fun." He said.

"Okay," My face felt hot.

I quickly made my way upstairs to the library when the bell rang after sixth period. Luckily, Charlie was sitting on a bench outside. "Hey you," He said standing up. "I figured you wouldn't know what to do so I decided I'll be your guide to all things Westwood."

I smiled, following him into the large library. Though it was more of a library and a computer lab and a lounge mashed together. "Woah."

Charlie laughed, scribbling his name down on a sign in sheet. "Yeah it's cool. So basically there are tons of comfy chairs and desktops and you can find books for research projects." He lead me to a cluster of colorful seats and sank into one. "I'll always be right here during seventh period."

"Good to know." I said taking a seat next to him. He grabbed my bag from me, taking my ds out.

"Battle me in pokemon." He said pulling his ds out of his bag.

"Okay, but I'm gonna win." I said. I loaded the game and used quick link to connect to him.

"Yeah right." he scoffed.

He won.

I returned my ds to its place in my bag. "So," Charlie began, "Westwood."

I stared intently at him. My head rested in my hands and my elbows were propped up on my knees. He leaned back, his arms above his head.

"Basically don't get in the way of Mia and her friends." He said. He gestured with his head across the library. A tall white girl stood, holding a bottle of water. Two girls sat on a little couch near her. "The tall one standing is Mia. She's the queen of the drama and music department. Gets all the leads, all the solos and rumor has it, she's signing to a record label later this year." I groaned as he said that. "She can get basically any guy she wants. Only, some guys don't want to date her. She's overwhelming and has a childish voice when she's onstage. She over-acts onstage but somehow Hall and Z love her to pieces. Also I've heard she gives people head to gain popularity or get show spots. I think part of that isn't true."

"Which part?" I interrupted.

"That's classified my dear Penelope." He replied, his voice had a very mocking and teasing tone and I just laughed in response.

"I was hoping there wasn't a her here." I said. "Also, please call me Penny."

"Hmm," He tapped his chin, "Nah, I like Penelope."

"Penny." I said back.

"The black girl is Camden." He started, dismissing my nickname. "She is the most sought after girl in the school. Boys and girls drool over her. Though, shes been in a committed relationship with DJ for three years. DJ is actually named Donovin. Ironically, he mixes music in the studio here. Anyway, Camden, don't upset her. Some people say that she got plastic surgery over summer vacation, others say her parents paid for a personal trainer in California."

I sighed, "Wow."

"Yeah." Charlie took a deep breath, "Shay, the blonde girl. Notorious for getting the ditzy blonde role in every production. She got a nose job in eighth grade and breast implants in tenth. She's a straight A student though, top of the senior class and is on her way to Carnegie Mellon. The girl is a genius and I definitely won't be surprised if she does some great things."

"Well that was definitely a turn of events." I said, shocked that somehow she went from ditzy, blonde to genius.

"Yeah, she's kinda amazing." Charlie practically swooned.

"In love much?" I teased.

He suddenly jolted out of whatever fantasy world he was in, "Pssh, what? No. No way." He leaned back in his chair, trying desperately to give off some sort of 'cool guy, I don't care' tone.

It wasn't working. I just gave him those eyes that say 'We both know you're bluffing.'

He shoved me with his body, "Stop looking at me like that!" He cried.

I laughed, causing him to laugh. after we had both calmed down, I adjusted my glasses and noticed Mia glaring in my direction. Maybe it was someone else. I looked behind me quickly but, no one was there. I turned around in time to catch her whip her head back to the other two girls. "Hey Charlie?" I asked, not looking away from the three girls.

"Yeah?" He answered. I could feel his eyes on me.

"Do you think they'd ever put on a show with a dark cast? Like black and mixed and Asian and stuff?" I asked him.

"Well sure. It depends on who auditions. If there's a surplus of white kids it won't happen." He said casually. I could practically hear him shrug. "C'mon, lets head to the caf." He said. He stood up, handing me my bag and slinging his over his shoulder.

I nodded and got up, following him downstairs.

Halfway through seventh period I got up, excusing myself from the group. I found the nearest bathroom and locked myself in the first stall. No one ever notices the first stall.

Penny: Mandy I miss u

Read: 1:04 pm