CLICHE

Chapter One

"Carter? Have we reached an oral agreement?" I heard my professor ask. I hadn't been paying any attention. I was too busy daydreaming about those gold pumps that I saw online during break. They were so beautiful and they would really look great with my cashmere dress. 

"Mr. Johnson? I don't think this is the appropriate time or the appropriate question for you to ask a student. What I do with my mouth is my personal business!" I replied. 

Mr. Johnson squinted his eyes and scratched his head before sighing softly, "Oral agreement not oral s*x, Carter." 

Everyone started to laugh while Cyndi shook her head at me. I scoffed before replying, "Why didn't you say so?" 

"You know what? Class is dismissed. The bell will ring in any minute." 

He didn't have to say another word. Everyone in the classroom stood up and began to pack their bags and go to their friends as they prepared for the bell to ring. I turned towards Cyndi who was already standing next to my desk. 

"I'm going shopping later this afternoon, wanna come?" I asked. 

"I can't! I have a study date with Martin this afternoon!" 

"Martin? When did this happen?" 

"He asked me during second period and I said yes because he's pretty cute plus he's smart," She gushed. 

"Well I have a study date with Gucci! I cannot wait. He's so lovely!" I squealed.

Cyndi rolled her eyes, "Aren't you failing every class?" 

That's what she thinks. 

"I'm not failing every class!" I replied while standing up and grabbing my bag, "I am just failing 6 out of 7 of those classes. I'll have you know that I am passing P.E." 

"P.E?" She said while walking beside me as we exited the classroom. 

I rolled my eyes, "Yes. As in Physical Educational?" 

"Education, Carter. It's Education." 

"Hey! Hey!" Rickey greeted, "What are we talking about?" 

"I'm going shopping this afternoon! Do you wanna come?" 

"Is that even a question? You know I'm coming!" 

We pushed the door open to the cafeteria and made our way to our table which was at the back of the cafeteria. Our table gave us the access to view the entire cafeteria, we could see everything.  I looked around as we continue to walk towards our table to see the cafeteria already filled with students. There were two of the biggest tables on opposite sides of the cafeteria. One table is where the football team sat and the other table was where the cheerleaders sat. The rest of the tables sat four to six people at once. There was only one table that sat three and it was in the middle of the cafeteria. 

No one sat there except Harry. 

Even when he wasn't in school, the table was always empty. Whenever he came to school, he sat there. Sometimes alone with his dark shades on and sometimes Ray and Angelo would sit there but he would always keep his shades on. 

Today the table was occupied. 

"I cannot believe that he showed his ass to school today. He's been out for the past two weeks!" Cyndi whispered while sliding into the chair. 

"I don't understand why he bothers to come to school. He's going to fail," Rickey replied.

"Can we not sit here and judge the guy? We don't know what is going on in his life!" 

"Please!" Cyndi scoffed. 

"We know enough. He is always fighting! I mean he pulled out a gun on that one guy last year! We don't have to judge to find out he's bad news!" 

"You don't have to judge at all." I replied. "You can always just mind your business!" 

Rickey's eyes widened and he tossed his hand up, "Please!" 

"You guys act like he's the only bad guy in this school when there's an entire clique filled with people just like him!" 

"He's worst than them!" Cyndi exclaimed. "You knows he's bad when he's rival of that crew!" 

"He wouldn't have to act the way he does if everyone didn't judge him as much." 

"Whatever. He's bad news!" 

"Let's change the subject! Justin is hosting his annual party Friday and we are going!" 

"Of course we are!" I replied, "Cyndi, you're going. You need to enjoy yourself for once!" 

"I'll go!" 

"I'm going to go grab myself one of those trays! They're serving chicken salad! Do you want anything?" Rickey asked. Cyndi nodded her head no. 

"Yes! Grab me one too!" 

"Would you like any dressing?" 

"Oh no! I wore a skirt! I'll be sure to wear a dress tomorrow!" 

"Dressing for as in salad sauce, Carter!" Cyndi exclaimed.