Jesus Christ, I'm not scared to die

     “skipping has gotten so much easier over the years. don’t know if it’s ‘cause ‘ve gotten better at sneakin’ around or ‘cause ‘m in detention enough for teachers to realize that i probably don’t know any better.”

     “you and me both, man. it’s like they’ve slowly given up unless it’s someone who could actually get into real shit. like, maybe they just realized that we deserve better food than our nasty ass cafeteria shit and a better use of our time than learning math equations we will never use again.”

& ) -- tension in the air

           “actually, i got an a-, so…i guess it was a little boring. i’m sure you’ll do fine.”

      “that’s good! i’m glad. my report on mount rushmore got a solid b, but that’s because mrs. vaughn thought my thesis was too vague. and yeah, thanks. i guess so. i’m sure yours will be too. did you decide what genre you wanted to write yours in?”

    “it still counts as a costume if you just grabbed a bunch of things from your closet, right? i really don’t have time for anything else.”

    “you... never had trouble creating a costume before. do you need help, love?”

       “that was …me.”

     “oh.... shit, i. you did very well, brooks... shit, i’m sorry. you have permission to make fun of literally everything i ever do. ever. starting with this assignment due tomorrow for cw.”

          “the statue, by michelangelo.”

      “oh, right. someone did a report on that the other day in english. i thought it was rather boring, actually, but i guess the idea was different.”

     “mhm — sure, jay, sure. hey, one time is still better than no times at all. and it actually was february, which is coincidentally when my birthday is. ew. i’m gonna ignore that you just said that, thank you very much.”

      “what, you don’t believe me? oh, you’re an aquarius then? i hear they’re really independent, but they’re scared of love. you’re looking at a closeted astrology nerd. what did i say wrong?”

     “in case you didn’t already know, halloween is definitely my favorite holiday.”

     “the devil has to like it’s own holiday.”

          “so, like, david.”

     “excuse me?”

     “ouch, listing — you cut me real deep. oh, i’ll have you know that i make the best peppermint tea — i was employee of the month once for reason. n-no, that’s not what i meant at all! don’t go putting words in my mouth now, jay.” 

          “sorry, babe. the last thing i would ever want to do is hurt you. oh, you were employee of the month once? was it a good month, at least? like february? or june, that’s when my birthday is. i’m not doing anything to your mouth. but i could.”

     “i know, i know — hold the applause, please. and i’ll text you the address or something; it’s not too far, don’t worry. um, yes? i’m pretty sure no one wants to see you — at least, not out in the open at a party of all places.”

          “i’m holding the applause because i am not applauding. you won by default, and by the fact that i didn’t want to banter over it anymore. and thanks, that’ll be helpful. did you know peppermint tea is my favorite? i hope yours is good. so.. you’d want to see me if we weren’t in public? alaska, i’m flattered.”

     “yeah, but i’m just a little bit more creative and motivated than you. just a little. and yeah, i guess — but only if you do come around more often. and true, true. okay, i’ll only go on one condition: you actually wear a costume.”

     “fine. you win this round, arizona. i certainly will come around more often, where is the place again? i forgot already. what, are you saying you don’t want to see me in my birthday suit? it’s quite the sight, al, you wouldn’t be disappointed.”

     “i think you’re just being lazy, jace listing. and considering i get drinks off at a discount, it’s pretty beneficial for me to eat there. oh yeah, sometimes i forget, too. but yeah, i guess — i assume you’re gonna be there, too?”

      “let’s just say we are both lacking creativity and motivation, because it’s kind of true. i guess that’s true. think you can get me a discount if i come around more often? of course i’m going to be there. a party without jace listing? that’s nonsense.”

     “hey, at least i’m actually wearing a costume unlike some people. but yeah! the drinks are great; take my word for it. oh, i didn’t even know there was a party, but sure, since i’ll be right next door anyways.”

      “hey, my costume idea is golden. and it doesn’t cost anything, so i definitely win. don’t people who work in food rarely eat in their work place? or is that a myth? i forgot you and oliver were neighbors. that’s convenient?”

     “you could always take the easy way out like me and wear cheap cat ears and draw whiskers on your face — by the way, all halloween drinks at bâton fous are half off today and tomorrow, so you should definitely come and stop by.”

      “wow, alaska, and you i’m the one lacking creativity. and really? i guess i could stop by. are you going to oliver’s party tomorrow?” 

“Please don’t make me see that.”

“Why, Grayson? Will it make you uncomfortable?”