The Chronicles of Darcy

Book ONE: Gina

Chapter 2: Lunch

My morning passed by quickly and, well, boringly. I was the happiest person alive when I got to lunch. The day was warm, so I sat outside with Emma, Manny and the other cheerleaders. Manny is complaining about her relationship with Damien, and a couple of the other girls are complaining that their still single. I ignore the conversations. I've sworn off men after my last relationship with Spinner.

"So, has anyone met the new girl?" Manny asks out of nowhere.

"Yeah," Emma adds. "She was in my last class. She seems kind of weird."

"Not really," I have to defend her. "She was in first period with me. She's cool."

"Yeah, and have you seen the way she dresses? Her outfit just screams 'dyke.'" the rest of the conversation continues on this way. The other girls bashing Gina, and me trying to defend her. I don't know why I try, but I feel like I have to.

Ten minutes later, Gina walks out into the yard holding a tray in her hands. She searches around looking for a place to sit. I raise my arm up to wave her over. She spots me and a huge smile spreads across her face. She starts over to our table.

"Hey Gina!" I yell. The other girls look over their shoulders to see her walk over. I see them scoot over to the edge of the bench so she doesn't have room to fit.

Her smile fades. "I'll, um, see you later, Darcy," she starts to walk away but I stop her.

"Gina, wait," I scoot closer to Manny. "You can sit next to me." her smile is back. It seems to just light up her face. "Don't mind them," I say about my friends. "They're just a couple of bitches." She chuckles at that. It makes me feel good that I made her so happy.

Manny decides to get to know Gina. You know, Manny isn't all that bad. She's like really slow to judge someone, but I guess that's because so many people have judged her in the past. "So, Gina, how do you like Degrassi?"

Gina shrugs. "It's ok, I guess. But it's only my first day." I can imagine her first day hasn't been the best. Especially since the conversation we just had.

"So, Gina," one of the other girls says her name in with malice. I want to slap her. "Can I ask about your outfit?"

"What do you mean?" please don't respond to that.

"I mean, why are you wearing your shirt tied like that, and who actually wears sweat pants anymore?" Gina actually laughs at that.

"Well, see I'm a firm believer in the 90's grunge look. I prefer it so much better than the slut look. And especially the preppy look. I think it makes people look stuck up and arrogant. Like, they're better than everyone else." She grabs her tray and steps off the bench. "I've suddenly lost my appetite. It was nice meeting everyone." She turns to me. "See ya Darcy."

I don't know how to respond to that. Even though what she said was definitely well played. It was also insulting to me. But I choose to ignore that. I turn to the other girls. "Did you guys have to be so mean to her?"

"Darcy," Emma butts in, as usual. "She just insulted everyone at this table and now you're defending her?"

"She wouldn't have insulted anyone if you guys were a little nicer." I grab my tray and jump up from the table. "I'll see you guys later." I head back inside. I see Gina sitting by herself at one of the tables in the corner. I throw my tray away and head out of the cafeteria.