have no fear at all;

Whatever sounds good to you. It’s all subjective anyway.  …I’m sorry. I know I’m prickly or whatever but I don’t really accept pity or relating. I have nothing to feel sorry for and I don’t need anyone being nice because they feel like it but you’re nice to talk to. I don’t think boys and girls converse any differently that it’d be strange for you to switch co-ed instead of all male. There’s a select few, and most of them are Grammy nominees, at least. But go ahed, determine later.

I'm not... pitying you? You're just the only person who's too excited about this whole event and I thought maybe you would be good company. It's different. Though. With the boys there's less friction. I don't know how to describe it, most of the girls I usually talk to are family or family friends so I'm not really all that seasoned. I will! Can I write them down on my phone? I mean, I can I know that. I just know some people prefer not to share their favorite artists with others. Like it's their own little space that others don't need to be invading.

Impressive, the newbies always weasel themselves in somehow, try to find a place to assimilate before they’re left out. I’ve never murdered anyone, but I don’t have a best friend to tell to eat glue, so… no to both, I guess. I never asked why that happened. I don’t need you to pull something out of your ass to relate to me, you know. I’m fine. Uh… St. Vincent, Stars, Owen Pallett, I don’t know, I don’t really do what everyone else is listening to. Not to sound like an altruistic music snob…

Or maybe meet a lifelong friend to say something embarrassing at your wedding or pick you up when you're pissed drink. That sounds good too. I'm not trying to relate, I'm just trying to talk to you. I'm not exactly the best at befriending new people since I went to school with boys I've known my entire life. Oh, I don't really know any of those artists. I'm not saying you do sound like a snob, but I'm pretty sure no one's heard of them. I'll maybe give it a listen once I'm home. Then I can decide if you're just listening to them to be something like an asshole.

I guess. It’s just an opportunity offer if you’re interested in popularity but soccer’s good for that. It’s like the second most popular sport here behind football, so you’ll have that going for you. I didn’t think you were asking. I’m pretty sure no one would, I’ve got a great resting bitch face. Plus, when I said I don’t dance, I meant it. I’d DJ… photograph, I don’t know, stay at home and eat popcorn and watch movies, something worth my time.

I don't think my immediate goal is to become popular. Maybe make a few friends, pass Spanish, play a real sport. Nothing too complicated. Hahahaha, I don't think it's that bitch-y, a little off putting, sure, but you're not evil. As far as I know. Have you ever murdered anyone? Or told your best friend to eat something and that something ended up being glue? Because if not, you're pretty high up there in my book. If it's any consolation, the only reason I danced with a one year old is because no one would dance with me. What sort of music would you pick?

It’s a different hierarchy in high schools, plus you went to an all male, mama’s boy school, is what I’m gathering. I don’t really know them at all, so you’re free to make your own assumptions. All you’d have to do is smile and any cheerleader would be offering to show you around. I think you’re severely underestimating yourself. I don’t dance.

Oh, well then I guess you're the first person I've met here and thus far it's a pretty decent welcoming to a new school. I don't think anyone would go out with a stranger that easily, and anyway, my goal isn't that at all. I want to finish school, maybe play some soccer, and go do what I want to do. But, um, this isn't me asking you. I don't even know your name. I think it'd be a bit quick, don't you? Not that I wouldn't ask you personally. I wouldn't ask anyone right now.

Oh I’m not either, so for now you’ll float probably above me, being male and all. I guess that’s a good reason, especially saying I really dislike this school an most of the people in it… and I’m really really excited to graduate this year. Yup, always a homecoming dance and it’s not too late for you to find a date, I mean, you actually won’t have any trouble.

If anything, being a guy lowers my rank. Women are much more assertive and they know what they want. At least those are all the girls in my family. Maybe it's because you've known them all for so long? I was getting sick of my friends at my old school, considering I've known them since diaperhood. How would I find someone to go with? I don't know anyone at this school except Mr.Dunes and I doubt he'd want to go with me. I'd rather help decorate or pour drinks. The last time I danced was with my little cousin at a wedding and she was a year old.

No, never have, plus they don’t really seem to notice when someone below the spectrum disappears. You wanted to come here? Wow, that’s new, G-Wash isn’t the best school, you know. It depends on the rally, I guess. Seeing this is almost fall, homecoming. It’s stupid.

I don't even think I'm on the spectrum, at this point. I mean, my cousin came here and she said it was important that I got out of the whole religious school thing before it was too late to get myself acquainted with other people. So that my circle in life wasn't limited. I thought she was right and I begged and begged and finally they came through. It's not really the quality of the school, it's the people you meet there. So, does that mean there's going to be a homecoming dance?

It’s organized to the point where they’ll cancel certain classes to fit this mess in, so welcome to public school. I’m sure yours was more structured around education and important things. Ha, right. Um, if you want? It’s fine, obviously, and I’d love to ditch.

We won't get in trouble, right? I don't need my parents getting a call home the first day of school after it'd taken nearly two months to convince them to actually let me come here. I hope they don't cancel Spanish. I thought these were at night though. Like in Grease or something. After school.

Good thing chicken noodle is the best kind of soup then… Um… it depends but it won’t overlap with any classes. You’re in spanish? You can just follow me, I’m also in spanish so…

It won't? In my old school everything overlapped. Assemblies with lunch with prayers with actual important classes that I hated like Calculus. It was a mess, but I guess all places are different. This place seems more structured, surprisingly enough. Um, I feel bad. Like I'm pulling you away from friends or something. But this place is also huge, so I'll retract what I just said a little. How does the school feel about us being a little bit early to class?

Sticking to your roots. I can appreciate that. Seriously? I’m sick like every month. I’ll have to get my hands on the remedy.

Well once my mom tells me the secret I promise I'll let you in on it. Has something to do with a lot of chicken noodle soup all the time, I think. How long does this last, by the way? I want to make sure I can get to Spanish on time after this.

Not really. Oh, that kind of makes sense… the um, I don’t want to say it wrong… just what you’re wearing on your head. Um, at least you stayed safe?

Oh. It's a Kippa, but most people call it a Yamaka. I wasn't too sure about keeping it on or putting it in my bag but I just thought this wouldn't hurt anyone. Jewish mother paranoia does tend to keep us safe. I haven't had a cold since I was seven.

It happens twice a year, every year, same people in the front, cheerleaders and football players, the same culture of useless pe— wait, you don’t know this? Where did you go to school?

I'm going to guess and say you're not big into sports, then? I went to a private Jewish schoo so it was all boys and not big enough to have an official team. That and mothers are terrified of having their boys get hurt so flag football is about as close to sports as it gets.

I guess… It’s always the same old shit.

What do you mean?

Unfortunately they’re real.

It's not that bad. At least there's a real team to cheer for. Plus, seeing my new science teacher dancing on a stage gives me the impression that this is going to be an interesting school year.