Chapter Text
Why was today different from any other day? To be quite honest, Peridot wasn’t sure yet. Nothing out of the ordinary had happened since school began just months ago. The usual required classes mixed in between the more fun classes. The same track meets after school every Tuesday from 3:00pm to 5:00pm. It was the same team with about five new freshmen to make up for the loss of the seniors. The freshmen would soon become the new “usual team” and the seniors would be inevitably forgotten unless they had made any sort of triumph in their high school career. Peridot was a senior and had yet to make her mark in the world of running. I guess you could say she had plans to be forgotten.
But of course, there was also the science team that met every other Thursday to discuss new findings, and make things explode using the most common household items. Everything was just the same. So she didn’t know why she had this awful gut feeling that today wouldn’t be the same.
Peridot meanders through the bustling halls, working her way to English IV. After the first few weeks, she had already figured out who hung out with whom and where in the halls they would be at what time. She knew who to avoid and how to avoid them. She knew who it was safe to hang out with; even it was with just a few people. Peridot never really bothered to make friends all throughout high school. Friends made her, and that was enough. She was more focused on academics than being social anyways, so when her closest ally walked into the room, she hardly noticed. And she was hard not to notice.
“Peridot! Why the fuck is your head still in those books? Do you know what it’s like to have fun? Do you even have a life?”
Peridot looked up with a monotonous expression at her burly friend towering over her.
“Jasper, of course I know how to have fun. Remember last Saturday whe-“
“When you locked yourself in my room to study while there was a sick rave downstairs?”
“No no, the other Saturday w-“
“When you locked yourself in my bathroom to study why people were getting drunk and shit downstairs?”
“Are you kidding?” Peridot scoffs. “I came down for a very long period of time. I even danced to your awful music!”
“You pushing through a crowd of wasted and horny strangers to get a cup of coffee isn’t dancing Peridot.”
“Yeah, well…”
“Exactly.” Jasper says, smirking, as she takes her seat in the back of the classroom. Far away from Peridot who wouldn’t be caught dead sitting in a seat that wasn’t the in the absolute front. The teacher enters and a loud silence engulfs the room now filled with students. All conversations are lost as their eyes seem to lock on the short girl trailing behind the English instructor. Ms. Diamond soon commences the class by stating that they have a new student.
“Everyone, this is Lapis Lazuli.”
Peridot takes notice of how the girl superficially flinched at the sound of her own name. How her dark bangs fell in front of her face as her gaze met with the floor tiles. Peridot found herself wondering why she wasn’t more enthusiastic to start a new school, and why she refused everyone’s attention, blocking off all eye contact.
“She will be in this English course for the entire semester with you all. I expect nothing less than your best behavior towards her. She made a long journey from…” Ms. Diamond looks onto the girl to finish her sentence. Lapis doesn’t look up from her impeding bangs to answer. She stares at the floor coldly, from what Peridot can tell. Her hands shuffle deeper into the pocket of her black sweatshirt. Lapis’ feet press together in a display of vexation.
Ms. Diamond presses on, with a “You’re from where? Lapis?” But the girl refuses every word that’s being spoken to her. Like, every vowel was a punch to the throat, and very consonant was slash to her sides. She looked miserable.
“Alright.” Ms. Diamond began. “Take your seat behind Pearl. Pearl, could you raise your hand?”
Lapis looks through her bangs at Peridot. If only for a second, she was able to make out her soft grey eyes before they flashed to Pearl. She moved almost unwillingly to her seat and set down her backpack before slumping into her chair and repositioning her hands into her sweatshirt. With that gesture, class begins.
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The next two classes were a breeze for Peridot, which only left lunch and one last class before she could go home to study. Unfortunately for Peridot, lunch was the worst part of the day. It was an overcrowded arena that was prone to immature fights that left the place in shambles, in which she was forced into for thirty minutes every day of her life. To make matters worse, her only true friend had their lunch period before hers. Time could not go by any slower for Peridot. She decided against eating today in an unsuccessful attempt to study, only to move to a much more serene place to read and take notes. The bathroom.
As unflattering as it sounds, Peridot was quite content with the noise level, and the smell wasn’t too unbearable. It was good enough for the time being. Peridot set her things in the corner, sat, and whipped out a textbook on engineering, flipping to a page that had recently been folded at the corner. She also opens up a notebook that had many notes written in variations of blue and black ink.
After twenty minutes of quiet studying time, Peridot began packing her things before the bell should ring. Picking up her last textbook, she is startled when one of the stall doors opens abruptly. Peridot never took notice that the door had been closed the entire time she was in there. Lapis steps out and adjusts her backpack around the hood of her sweatshirt. Their eyes meet for a lingering second before her cardboard lunch tray is thrown into the trash as Lapis turns to exit the bathroom. Peridot wonders to herself why Lapis chose to eat her lunch in the bathroom, but then she considers her own situation glancing at the grimy sink beside her. Why did she ever think this was a good idea?
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With the last course out of the way, Peridot emerges from the school building. She chooses waiting to be picked up by the flag poles out front. Zipping up her hoodie, she leans against one of the poles and looks over to the other teens being picked up by their loving parents. Parents who would remember to pick them up at the right times every day. Parents who probably engage in lengthy conversations at the dinner table. Parents who cook and clean and don’t forget birthdays. Peridot had to admit, being the child of busy parents was rough. And knowing that you’re not the favorite child, even though you’re the only child only makes it worse.
Soon, the lot was empty and only a few underclassmen were left mingling by the front entrance. Them and a few obnoxious seniors smoking cannabis in the far corner of the lot. She recognized Jasper within that crowd. But what did she care? Peridot had no control over Jasper, and never intended on overpowering her. Jasper is the person who kept her safe from every oppressor throughout high school. She was only friends with her because Peridot was the only kid her age in the neighborhood, or at least before everyone else moved in. Their friendship was rough; not friendly at all, but it was all Peridot had and it was more than she needed, but that was okay.
Just then, there was a smack against one of the flag poles that makes Peridot jump. She immediately looks over to where the sound came from to find Lapis’ pale blue-green backpack against the base of the pole. Lapis stood with her phone in both hands, typing irately. When she stopped typing her glance met with the empty fore lot. Peridot looked in the same direction and then her eyes panned over to meet with Jaspers. Jasper waved spastically in her direction and started screaming incoherent things that Peridot chose to ignore.
She looks at Lapis now, whose eyes haven’t left the lot. Peridot glances back at Jasper before deciding that she’s done being a hopeless nerd with one beefed up dumbass to call a friend. In an act of confidence, Peridot saunters over to Lapis and stops just in front of her.
“Your parents didn’t pick you up either I assume.”
Lapis looks astounded. Her eyes meeting Peridot’s for longer than just a second. With that, Peridot was able to see that her eyes were a muted grey, an excellent asset to her complexion. Her skin was radiant, clear of any scars or red blotches, tan and light.
“Oh, yeah, my mom forgot what time she had to pick me up.” Lapis speaks faintly.
The silence grows as Peridot is unsure of how to carry on a conversation that isn’t school oriented. Lapis picks up on this, and tries her best to keep the conversation going.
“You’re in my English class right?”
“Yeah. Peridot. My name, it’s Peridot.”
“Well Peridot, it’s nice to meet you.”
“The pleasure’s all mine-“ Just then Jasper screeches out more nonsense in Peridot’s direction, in which Peridot continues to ignore.
“You know her?” Lapis questions.
“Unfortunately yes.”
“She doesn’t seem like your type.”
“And who are you to tell me what my type is?”
“Well, she’s blazing it right now, and you were studying on the bathroom floor at lunch.”
“So she’s a druggie and I’m a lifeless nerd.” Peridot concurs.
“I thought all nerds wore glasses and had retainers that gave them lisps, and only wore shirts with pockets.”
“I’m above all th-tereotypeth Lapith.” Peridot says as she adjusts her lack of eyewear.
Lapis laughs and is quick to cover her mouth. Her eyes are wide and a blush erupts from her cheeks.
“What, are you okay?” Peridot is anxious, she steps closer.
“Yeah, I’m good. I just haven’t laughed all day. It’s a weird feeling. Plus I have a gross smile.”
“No way! I’m sure you have a nice smile, average at worst.”
“No, average at best.” Lapis uncovers her lips. “I’d rather not talk about it.”
“Okay, well what else would you like to talk about?”
“Actually, my ride’s here. I’ll talk to you later I guess.” She picks up her backpack and slings it over one shoulder.
“Well it was nice meeting you.” Peridot offers with a smile.
“The pleasure’s all mine.” She replies with a small grin. She turns and walks to what must be her parents’ car. Peridot thinks about calling her mom to come pick her up, she even considers asking Jasper for a ride home, but decides against all options. A nice walk wouldn’t hurt, especially since track would be starting soon. It’s going to be the second meet of the season and Peridot has a newfound muse; an inspiration to do better than last season and every season before that. Maybe it’s to be remembered, or at least not to be forgotten. Or maybe it’s just time for a change.