Poison -007- by Melanie Brown

Poison

By

Melanie Brown
Copyright © 2024

Part 7

John stopped me in the hall just outside Mr. Gruber’s class. “Here’s your first class for today, Diane. Tomorrow, it will actually be your second class. You have the map, so I don’t think you’ll have any trouble finding your other classes.”

I got my yellow card ready to hand to the teacher. “Thanks for your help, John.”

Grinning wide, he said, “No problem. Hey, maybe I’ll see you at lunch. I gotta get back.”

I nodded. “Thanks again.”

I looked at the classroom door. I could run. Jump on a freight train to the coast and hop on a tramp steamer to Europe and then…and then. Ah, fuck it. I walked up to the door and knocked even though it was open.

The teacher stopped speaking to his class and looked over at me. “Can I help you, miss?”

I held up my yellow card. “Sorry to interrupt, Mr. Gruber. I’m a new student.”

He chuckled. “You’re either very late for this semester or very early for the next.” The classroom laughed and I felt embarrassed. He waved me into the class and held his hand out for the card. He scribbled something on a folder on his podium.

Handing me back the card, he said, “Welcome to the class, Miss Williams. Help yourself to an empty desk. And no. I no longer attend Christmas parties.” He chuckled. I giggled. Oh my God. I actually giggled.

As I looked quickly for an empty desk, one boy started gesturing and pointing to the desk in front of him. I was sure it was a mistake, but I sat at the indicated desk and opened my notebook computer.

I found out the boy behind me was named Jeff before being shushed by Mr. Gruber. The class itself was pretty dry. I honestly don’t know why I have to attend these classes. The games have been removed from the laptop, so I had to sit quietly and listen.

Before I could stand up when the class was dismissed, Jeff tapped my arm. “Just curious if you have a boyfriend?”

I frowned at him. “Dude. I’ve been here less than an hour. Besides, I’m not exactly looking.”

Looking confused, Jeff asked, “Is that a yes or a no?”

I shook my head and left the room. I really hoped boys weren’t going to be a problem.

Looking at my schedule, I saw my next class was Algebra. I have a degree in math, so this will be a snooze fest. The teacher had an absolutely horrible name. Ms Snodgrass. Without talking to anyone, I knew what students called her. The class wasn’t far down the hall.

As I did for the other class, I knocked on the door. I didn’t think she heard my knock as the students entering the class were rather noisy. As they were settling into their seats, I knocked again. She kept looking at her lectern.

I took a few steps into the room, getting the attention of every boy. This is Algebra. I have a degree in math. I could teach this class. I tried not to get angry about it. I stepped further into the room.

Holding my yellow card towards her, I said, “Ma’am? Ma’am?”

Finally, she looked up and seemed surprised. “Oh, hello, miss. I wasn’t expecting to see a new student this late in the semester.”

I said, “Sorry.” I waved the card at her.

She took the card and lifted her glasses slightly so she could read it. “Miss Williams? We only have four weeks of classes before we go into finals. I don’t see Algebra I on your grade sheet. I… oh my.”

An overweight goofball with greasy hair and stubble on his upper lip frowned at me. He didn’t even try to lower his voice as he growled, “Just great. Right at the end of the semester, we get some stupid girl who’s just going to screw up the curve.”

As the teacher added me to her roster, she said quietly, “Very impressive grades, Miss Williams.”

Taking advantage of the class disruption, one kid said, “Hey, Erwin. Let’s invite her to our study group.”

Lowering his voice, Erwin, he of the greasy hair and stubble, said, “Stop thinking with your pecker, Slovenski. When was the last time you saw a girl this pretty who also had a brain?”  Several boys in the class, including Slovenski laughed.

Looking furious, Ms. Snodgrass said, “Boys! You need to behave yourselves!” Turning towards me, she said, “I apologize for the horrible behavior of some of my students.”

I sighed. “It’s okay, Ms. Snodgrass. It’s about what I expected.”

A somewhat large and imposing student sitting in the back looked annoyed. He leaned forward and said, “No, it’s not okay. Erwin, do I need to knock some manners into you?”

Several boys, including Erwin, looked sheepish and got quiet. The boy in the back smiled and winked at me. I hoped that was a good sign.

Ms. Snodgrass said, “Miss Williams, come take this seat by my desk. If the boys are all through making a spectacle of themselves, let’s get started with class.”

I sat at the indicated desk. I think she was trying to protect me from the pimple-faced imbeciles in the class. I kept catching them looking at me.

My last class before lunch looked like a throwaway. It was keyboarding. I almost couldn’t find the class. I did feel at ease when I saw it was mostly filled with girls.

                    *

I looked grimly at what was just scooped onto my plate. I was allegedly getting meatloaf, mashed potatoes and green beans. I was pretty sure I could identify the green beans. After swiping my ID card to pay for my meal, I stepped out of the cafeteria line.

I started scanning the room looking for a place to sit, when some motion caught my eye. I looked, and sure enough, it was John waving frantically at me. Seated next to him was a girl I hadn’t seen before.

I slid my tray down onto the table across from John and the girl. John grinned ear-to-ear. “Hey, Diane. Thanks for sitting with me.”

The girl sitting next to John said, “So you’re this mysterious new girl Johnny’s been blabbing about.” She extended a hand towards me. “I’m Karen.”

I gave her hand a weak shake. “I’m Diane.”

John blurted, “I just said that. Anyway Karen, I saw her transcript. She’s a freakin’ genius!”

I chuckled with a shrug. “I don’t know about genius.”

“I swear! I saw her transcript!” exclaimed John. “She’s a perfect straight-A student! I mean, in things like calculus.”

Karen shook her head at John. “You know you can get into trouble for that. But girl! Transferring with less than two months left in the school year? Sorry, but your parents are just plain evil!”

Laughing, I said, “No argument there. Well, my dad did just die. Erased in a chemical fire.”

Karen screwed up her face. “Ugh! How horrible. I’m very sorry to hear that.”

I sighed. “You don’t know the half of it.”

Looking sheepish, Karen tried to change the subject by asking, “What school were you going to before here?”

It took me a moment to remember the lie the university concocted. “It was Mulberry Medal of Honor Middle School.” It’s a real school associated with Mulberry University. My oldest son Zach is attending the university in the fall on a free scholarship since the university fried his old man. But I’m not bitter.

Karen’s eyes grew as large as saucers. “You’re shitting me! Only geniuses are allowed to go to that school.”

Looking smug, John said, “I told you!”

A shadow crossed the table as someone approached from behind me. A boy’s voice said, “I wish I were a genius.”

John looked up and grinned. “Hey, Gene. Sit down with us.” As Gene sat down beside me, John said, “Gene, meet Diane. Our new student…”

Interrupting, Gene said, “I believe we’ve met.” Gene was the large boy who defended me against the pimple brigade in Algebra I class.

John looked at me questioningly. “You’ve already met Gene?”

I shrugged. “Not formally.”

John leaned across the table and said, “Gene, also known as The Rock, is team captain of the Mighty Horned Frogs football team. He’s going to be a Ranger next year.” The Rangers were the football team for the largest high school in town. Zach played for them as well.

“Maybe…” said Gene glumly.

John asked, “What are you talking about? Coach Walker can’t wait to get you on his team.”

Gene sighed heavily. “If I don’t pass this Algebra test Friday, I won’t graduate.”

I knitted my brow at him. “What test on Friday? I don’t remember Ms. Snodgrass saying anything about a test Friday.”

Gene laughed without humor. “You don’t have a test. Just me. I’ve failed it twice already. I get one more try. And I get that try only because of football.”

Karen looked over at me. “Since you’re a math genius, maybe you can tutor The Rock so he can pass?”

The Rock shook his head. “I can’t ask a girl I barely know to tutor me. Especially on such short notice.”

I bit my lower lip in thought. After a few moments of thought, I said “I could tutor you the next two nights. I can’t guarantee you’ll pass, but I can increase your chances.”

Giving me a surprised look, he asked, “You’d do that for me, Diane?”

I shrugged. “Sure. You stood up for me against those bullies in class. My way to say thank you.” I was suddenly engulfed in dread as I was sure I was making a mistake. But I’d stuck my foot into now.

Gene smiled at me. “Thank you so much for your offer of help. What time should I come over?”

Writing my address on a paper napkin, I said, “How about seven? That gives us about two hours before I have to go to bed.”

Taking the napkin and studying it. Gene said, “I’ll be there. Thanks again, Diane.”

Mom’s gonna kill me.

End of Part 7