DannyMay 2017, Day Eleven
"Gray/Colors"
Valerie walked through the halls of Casper High, back straight, shoulders squared and chin high, ignoring the laughs and jeer from her fellow students.
"What does she think she's wearing?" "I think she's gone insane." "Is that what being poor does to you?" Was murmured among many, especially the A-listers, "Nah, I think she was always a weirdo, but we just notice it now."
And that was all she could stand before storming to her classroom and shuting the closed door with a SLAM.
Valerie sighed and looked down at her clothes. Nice and comfy white tennis-shoes, dark blue jeans, and … a swirl of wild colors where it was supposed to be her pretty white t-shirt. She sighed again and sat on a chair, dropping her backpack next to it.
She was tired. In many ways. Val hadn't been able to properly sleep the previous night because of her anti-ghost patrol, homework, studying; Her work at the Nasty Burger was taking a lot of her energies, too; And in top of that, her favorite white t-shirt had accidentally fallen with her color clothes when she washed them, and now it looked like some sort of abstract art or a drunken rainbow. It didn't even look like a dyed shirt -which wouldn't have made it better, anyway-, it was just a mash up of various color poorly mixed into... that.
"If I say this couldn't be worse, everything will be worse, right?" Murmured to herself, placing her arms on the desk and resting her chin on them.
"Oh, miss Gray, I did not think anyone would be here yet."
Valerie rised her head and watched Mr. Lancer get into the classroom carrying a few books, which he simply placed on his desk.
"Is something wrong, miss Gray?" The teacher asked, noticing his pupil's stress.
"It's nothing, Mr. Lancer, really, just…" She bit her bottom lip in consideration, and, with a resigned sigh, stood up, pointing at her ruined attire with both arms, emphasizing how horrendous it was. Understanding fell on mr. Lancer's face, which prompted the ghost hunter to continue. "Could I sit in tha back today and… not be asked questions, please? I don't want everybody to look at me more than strictly necessary…"
"Of course, of course, miss Gray." The teacher said nodding comprehensively, and pointed at the general space of the seats behind. "Just make sure to take notes of what is going to be discussed today. Now, if you excuse me, I have… some errands to take care of before the class starts." And with that, he left.
Class with Mr. Lancer was calmer than usual; for some reason, Fenton, Foley and Manson hadn't arrived, so there was less scolding, but now the target of funny glances was Valerie.
When the bell rang for the second hour of the class, there was a knock on the door, and the teacher, with a knowing smirk, just said "Come in."
"Sorry for the delay, Mr Lancer! There was a, uh, something! And we couldn't do it 'til now!"
All the eyes widened at the entrance of the awkward kids, the three –ok, two of them were wearing clothes that looked like if a unicorn had vomited on them, with all kind of bright colours being worn from head (Tucker) to toes… and the Manson girl with a mash of different tones of dark colours.
"Hmm, well, that must have been an important something, come in and take your seats." There was no scolding, no punishment, just a proud smirk.
Soon, the snickers and jeers were directed to their usual targets. They sat next to Val and the two boys gave her thumbs up, though the goth only rolled her eyes.
Valerie was a bit embarassed, and awkwardly murmured to them and only them "This doesn't mean we are friends…" and with a smile, added "but thanks."
I have always liked the thought of Team Phantom just doing Random Acts of Kindness like these. I think they would if they just cared less about popularity and stuff. And I'm totally convinced Sam participated in some kind of revolts at least a few times in her life, but those are just my headcanons!
Alex out.