Slate Middle School

You really hate this kid. At first it was nothing to you – just another nerd or geek in the halls. But something about him... maybe it's his cat-like mouth, always showing his two front teeth. It's always slightly parted in the front, like it's waiting to be kissed. Ugh, you wanna to forget you ever said that. That's just a detail you've noticed, not your own personal feelings. Plus, you can never understand what he's saying, cause he never speaks up. When he does, it's all social justice, white-knighting, and liberal nonsense. The liberals wouldn't have won if the Grand Minister hadn't rigged the election... the only reason it's not on the news is because the liberals control it. But whatever. Politics are stupid, and it's not like the conservatives are any better, or less corrupt. Last time they were elected, they probably rigged it too. You can't wait for the whole parliament building to burn down, and get replaced with a buffet casino. You doubt the clientele would change one bit.
Your story? Football player, defense, gamer, dead mother. She was born in Israel, you were born in United Canadia. You're a citizen, her citizenship was denied. It's the reason she's not here. You've always hated the government because of that; not any one specific person, but all of it. If you had anything to say about it, there wouldn't even be a government. Just a bunch of crusty old folks, making up rules for everyone else to live by, and playing Hungry Hungry Hypocrites behind closed doors. Or curtains, depending on which strip club you might go to when you're old enough. The best person to run a government is the kind who's actually a person at all, who understands the needs of the people. Someone like you. You're a hero, if your favourite comics and movies have anything to say about it. Yet there's people like Ray, an overcomplicated factory reject who can't seem to get ENOUGH attention, even when he already has all of it. Ever since his pale twin showed up, and he started wearing girlier clothes. It was subtle, but you noticed the change... the colors are just a little bit brighter. The clothes are a little bit tighter. It hugs the curves in just such a way that- AUGH. Fuck. You're not gonna be fooled. It's the CLOTHES, he's only pretending to be a girl. It's the fit, that's all. Anyone can be deceptive like that. Just what the hell does he gain anyway, by tricking everyone like that? Why would anyone want to be looked at in that... way? The thought of it, of doing that to yourself, makes you queasy in the stomach. Makes you uncomfortable. Hopefully the new principle, Mr. Becken, will slap some sense into his grandson when he gets back.

Luckily for everyone, God himself must see it too, this façade, because Ray is the second-least popular kid in school (behind Byron, the booger-eating kid who drools on his homework). And Ray suffers that unpopularity, without the blessing of infamy.

You hate even focusing on Ray, but he's a walking train-wreck you can't look away from. He's freakishly skinny and muscular, and unnaturally entitled. Vegan, more like anorexic. Everyone's vegan, now. There's no reason to brag about it. He really thinks he's the center of the universe, or something. You hate him so much. Your only solace is that your buddy Darnell hates him too, with just as much of a passion. But Darnell isn't speaking to you, lately. Outside of class, he pretends you don't exist. You don't understand what the heck his problem is, but it makes you feel like a loser. Nobody should be able to make you feel like that. Not when there are REAL losers in the world, screwing it up for everyone else; attention-hogging wallflowers who play half-in and half-out. The kinds of people who hold up a drive-thru line by stuttering their words, and making the cashiers repeat themselves. You hate that shit so much.

Today, Ray is trying to give his Valentine's Day card to Loretta, in class. Frankly, you find her fat, dumb, and doughy, even if she is a hot brunette. Not your type, and honestly? A little out of his league. At least she has friends. Then again, they're only thirteen, so it's not like you were even gonna go for it. You're too old for them, for boy bands and glitter-candy that makes you shit sparkles. Yeah, that's a thing, now. You swear to God, it makes no sense. People are so stupid. He hands her the card, and inside is just a pop-out heart with a piece of chocolate taped to it. It's not try-hard, nor is it pathetic. But somehow he did it in just such a way that it reminded you of Ermias... it was wimpy. Now, you admit, you're not perfect either. Especially for what you do next.

Loretta
That's... nice.

Loretta turns to walk away.

Ray
Wait, why...

You decide to be generous today, and walk over to clear things up. If dorks like this never get the hint, they'll go without it their whole lives. You're about to save a life, today.

Keem
Cause you're a fairy, and she knows it, you bottom-feeder. She just doesn't want you to freak out and throw a hissy-fit when she says "go away".

Loretta
(Caught off-guard.) Hey, shut up, Keem. You don't know anything about me.

Keem
Ray, you pretend like you're SO sensitive, like you're one of the girls. But you just wanna smash, like everyone else. You're WAY too young for that, alright? Stick to holding hands and kissing the mirror.

Ray
What the hell about a valentine with chocolate in it says "I wanna smash?"

Loretta
(Embarrassed.) Keem, I'm serious! Shut up!

Keem
So what, you think she's ugly, then?

Ray
No, I think she's beautiful. And she has a lovely personality.

Keem
Yeah, I bet you want all over her 'personality'.

Loretta tears up, and runs off crying.

Ray
(Distraught.) Wait, Loretta-!

Keem
(Proud of himself.) Too late, bro. You totally fumbled. Good thing you had me here to save you, huh?

Ray shoots you a look so mad, it sends a tingle of pleasure down your spine. You've never seen him this riled up, and you fricking love it. You think he's going to try and punch you, and you clench your abs together in preparation. But instead, he just buries his face in his hands and runs to the bathroom. That was even wimpier than you thought, and it's hilarious. You laugh so hard, you think your sides are gonna burst. Thank God you were there. You just saved Loretta from marrying an absolute beta, ten years down the road. Feels good to be the cool guy in the room. You are the cool guy, right?

Gymnasium

You've had enough of this. Ray's lucky to have his big sister, Ms. Radigan, to look after him. The gym coach. You swear to God, sometimes, she's looking at you. Just you. Or maybe you're just imagining things. She's there now, across the room. You run another lap, and take in a deep breath as you pass her. She's not looking at you this time... but maybe next time. It's worth another lap. What you'd do if you ever got to touch those long, slender legs, or feel that long, dark hair... but that's enough of that. You're a titan of self-control. Ray has a hot sister, and you're about to lose your h- you mean, your step-mom. She leaves at the end of the night, unless your damn dad shapes the hell up. Like that'll ever happen. That's why Ray pisses you off – he's got exactly what you're about to lose. And he doesn't even care. He's busy trying to be a girl, himself. At least he has the decency to use the boy's change-room, still, and to wear a boy's outfit to gym class. The thought of him changing with all the girls just boils your blood... what kind of morons would let a fox into the henhouse like that? Good thing they've still got him leashed, for now. To think of him pretending like that, just to creep on them. It's a matter of safety, really. Not that he's exactly threatening, you suppose. He's not the best athlete, and his endurance is on the lower end. You're expecting him to stumble over himself like he normally does, but something's... different. He's angry, and he's trying harder. Maybe he thinks Loretta will change her mind if he works on his physique. Fat chance of that. It won't make him a man. Guys like Ray won't be men, or women, when they grow up, no matter how hard they try. They'll always just be awkward boys, with girly features, who fail at life unless someone takes pity on them. They only get jobs because they're friendly, not because they're good at what they do. Ray's destined for customer service, not a real trade. 'Gay boys are minimum wagers waiting to happen', that's what Jodd always used to say... before he died. You shake your head, and trip over your own feet, face slamming into the floor. WHUMP! Ray runs around you, so you grab his leg and make him trip just the same. WHAM! It's satisfying to see, but he gets up a lot faster than you do. Little jerk, doesn't even care. Acts like it never happened. Where was that confidence when he was shooting his shot with Loretta? You just remembered the real reason you started hating him: your best friend Jodd was killed, just outside his dorm. You still think Ray's twin, Rex, had something to do with it. That they colluded, maybe even took him down together. But that's a stupid theory. There's no way they had the guts to pull off something like that. What you're really upset about is that nobody cares. The school hasn't even held an assembly for Jodd's death, like nothing ever happened. The whole shooting was completely glossed over. It just shows how corrupt this damn system is... a child dies, and nobody says a damn word. You and Jodd hadn't hung out in a year, because you'd had a falling out. Now, because of Ray and Rex, you'll never get to patch things up. Rex runs past you, and you grab his leg, too. He twists free and hops over you, like you aren't even there. It pisses you off so much, you jump back up and get back to running. Before you can grab his shirt and slam him down to the ground, you run out of breath. You fall over, and Ms. Radigan stands over you with those long, slender legs.

Theresa
Get back up, Hakeem. Take five if you have to, just don't block the floor for everyone else.

Keem
(Fuming.) I'm just... give me a second, bitch-!

You didn't mean to say that, but it slipped out. It's how you talk online to your shooter buddies, but you know you're not supposed to say it here. She just stares at you.

Theresa
(Stern & unmoved.) Twenty push-ups while you're there. Come back when you're ready to act like you belong here.

Like you BELONG here? What the hell is she trying to say?! Why the hell did you have to go and call her that?! Fuck!! You're so fucking angry. There's so much to be angry about. What the hell is wrong with the world?!