“You should totally enter this!” Cindy announced, slamming her hand down on the flyer and staring insistently at Forest.

“I’m not good enough,” Forest shook his head. The flyer was advertising a town art competition; the winners would get the opportunity to showcase their work in a local gallery. Forest knew it would look incredible on an art school application. He knew this because Mrs Kittaneh had emphatically told him so that morning when she had handed over the flyer.

“Besides, I don’t think my style is what they’re looking for,” Forest shrugged. “And my recent works just involve fruits…like a disturbing amount of fruits. They’ll think I have a fruit fetish.”

“Mrs Kittaneh promised we’re moving on to figure drawing soon,” Cindy laughed. “Plus, I think she’s pinning all her hopes on you.”

“No pressure then,” Forest gave a lopsided smile.

“What class do you have this afternoon?” Cindy asked. “I’ve got an orthodontist appointment so we won’t be able to walk home together.” She looked glum. The past week, Cindy had worked out that their houses were on the same route back from school so she was able to walk with Forest for at least part of the way.

“Gym,” Forest replied grimly, it was his least favourite subject and the teacher had made it painfully clear how little he thought of Forest.

“It’s Tide Serrano’s party tonight,” Cindy hummed thoughtfully, giving Forest a pointed nudge with her elbow.

“I told you,” Forest shook his head, “I’ve no idea why he invited me, I don’t know him. He just accidentally hit me with a basketball on the first day.”

“And then defended you in the cafeteria,” Cindy added.

“Maybe he thinks I’m smart and can tutor him?” Forest shrugged, it had happened before.

“Nah,” Cindy shook her head. Forest felt a little stung, I mean sure it was true; he wasn’t that smart but still! Cindy laughed upon seeing his hurt expression. “What I mean is that Tide Serrano has one of the highest GPAs in his year.”

“Oh,” Forest stated with surprise before feeling slightly guilty. He had judged Tide from his appearance, the same way everyone did to him. There was no reason why a jock shouldn’t also be clever. Sometimes genetics really was that unfair.

“So are we going to the party?” Cindy asked as they traipsed down the bustling school hallway, doing their best to swerve out of the way of other students. Sometimes Forest felt like a lone skittle whilst everyone else was a bowling ball.

“I think I’ll pass,” Forest murmured, he caught sight of Jason, Trev and Scott heading towards the locker room and felt his heart sink.

“I don’t think you understand,” Cindy stood in front of him and placed her hands on Forest’s shoulders with a serious expression. “We might never get a chance like this again!”

“Like what?” Forest frowned.

“To see how the other half lives!” Cindy threw her hand up dramatically. “Aren’t you even slightly curious to find out what happens at these wild parties? Drink? Drugs? Orgies?”

“You're not selling it to me,” Forest laughed and pushed his glasses back up his nose. “I’m going to be late Cin…”

“Okay fine,” Cindy huffed, “but this conversation is not over, I’ll come round yours after school and convince you then.”

Forest extricated himself from Cindy’s grip and hurried to the locker room. The bell had already gone and the last thing he needed was to be called out for being late and given burpees to do in front of everyone.