Pre-Calc
David slipped in to class before the bell, opened his notebook, and smoothed out the fresh page. He pulled out his blue Pilot pen and the folder where he kept his homework, arranged them on the desk, and waited for class to start. He was always sure to be on time and ultra-prepared for this -- few enough students took pre-calc to begin with, and he was the only sophomore in the group. Which wouldn't have been a problem if he hadn't been made fun of his whole life for being too smart and always in advanced classes -- and even more so now that he was the weird, gay genius, too. So he was already kind of a freak, and on top of that, the math teacher was kind of a lunatic and for some reason hated him.
So he just had to be perfect. He could do that, right?
Other students filed in. The bell rang. And a minute after the bell, Jack Kelly strolled in. Mr. Smith, the teacher, rolled his eyes and cleared his throat meaningfully.
"Sorry," Jack said sincerely. "I was helping a freshman find his way, I didn't mean to make myself late."
"Take a seat, Mr. Kelly. This is your second late; next time will be a detention."
Jack shrugged and looked around for a free desk, and saw one at the edge of the room, near his friends Tony and Spenser. It was also, David realized, right next to him. He did his best to ignore Jack as he hung his bag over the back of his seat and slid down into the chair, barely a foot away. There was no reason whatsoever for that to distract David. Especially not in a class where he couldn't afford to be distracted.
Mr. Smith collected their homework, and for some reason shot David a dirty look as he snatched the paper of his desk. David had no idea what he'd done to deserve that -- his homework was neat, the paper wasn't wrinkled or ripped, it had his name on it, all the problems were done.
He slumped in his desk and waited while Mr. Smith collected everyone else's homework. Until Jack leaned over to him and whispered, "Don't mind Mr. Smith, he hates everyone in GSA."
"What?" David asked, surprised. He'd seen Jack at the Gay-Straight Alliance meeting, and everyone knew Jack claimed to be bisexual -- but he'd only ever dated girls, so David privately wasn't sure he believed it. Jack talked about boys, but usually only when he was around girls who thought it was kind of hot that he was bi; that he never actually was seen so much as flirting with guys meant he wasn't really a threat to anyone's masculinity, so somehow Jack walked a very fine line which meant he was friends with pretty much everyone in the school. The jocks didn't hate him; the alternative kids liked him because he was popular but still talked to him; everyone else thought he was just about the nicest guy in the world.
And David thought he was cute. Annoying, but cute. Really cute. Like, David could barely speak or even think when he was around Jack levels of cute.
"Yeah," Jack said. "So don't let it bother you." He gave David an encouraging smile, and David felt a blush creep across his face.
"I -- uh," he said. "Okay," he finally finished.
"Mr. Jacobs," Mr. Smith snapped from the top of the room. "I'm ready to start class, if that won't interrupt your busy social schedule."
David turned red again in a less-blushing, more-angry way, but stuttered, "Sorry."
"If it happens again, that will be a detention," Mr. Smith added. "Now. Let's discuss last night's homework..."
David opened his notebook and began to write as Mr. Smith narrated in his usual boring monotone.
"Psst."
David tried to ignore Jack, though it was difficult.
"Dave?"
"What?" David asked quietly.
"You... That was you at GSA, right?"
"Yes. Jack, I'm trying to -- "
"Mr. Jacobs! Since you ignored my warning, I will see you after school in detention."
David scowled but nodded in acknowledgment, and shot Jack an angry look. Jack gave him a sheepish one in response, and mouthed, "Sorry," the said aloud, "Mr. Smith!"
"We raise our hands in this class, Mr. Kelly," Mr. Smith said without turning around.
Jack raised his hand. Mr. Smith waited several seconds before finally giving in and saying, "Yes, what is it?"
"I just -- I just wanted to say, you know, I think you're a complete jerk and you're mad with power. It's pretty pathetic for some middle aged guy to be so petty he has to abuse his authority and make life miserable for some teenagers. You know?"
Mr. Smith sputtered, first in surprise, then in rage, as Jack gave him a shining, beaming smile. Finally he bellowed, "You -- principal's office -- right now! Detention for a -- a month -- go!"
Jack stood up, took a bow, grabbed his backpack, and strutted out of the room. Though he did pause at the door to say, "Hey, Dave, you want to go out some time?"
David stared. And then nodded and smiled. Jack winked at him and strolled out of the room, as if he hadn't just enraged the most vindictive teacher in the school, and gently shut the door behind him.
And David ducked his head and smiled. Detention wouldn't be so bad with company.