"Abscent." My ignorant math teacher stamped the letters next to my name.
"But, Professor Howe, I am here! It's not my fault!"
"Sorry, Darcie. After the tardy bell, I can't mark you as present."
I glared at him. He was so not sorry. I turned away to head to my seat.
"Oh, and Darcie, happy birthday." Professor Howe commented.
I rolled my eyes where he couldn't see. What birthday, the least he could do is mark me tardy. It wasn't even my fault.
I slouched down in my seat at the back of my class. I would understand if I walked in on the middle of a lecture, but we had barely learned anything in this class so far this year. Everyone in the entire room was chatting up a storm, throwing paper balls, gossiping behind each others backs, probably dealing drugs.
Ever since I lived here, which has been my whole life, I always told myself I wouldn't be like everyone else. I wouldn't deal drugs, or drink. I wouldn't hang around with Serpents, and I would try my best to be a good person. But eventually, the atmosphere that surrounds you gets the best of you.
Fortunately for me, my demons were bitterness and rebellion. As for my brother.. Well, when we were set back from moving out of Southside, David was so lost. He didn't know to do, so he did the only thing he knew of— he joined the Serpents. Just like my dad. He started doing dirty work for cash. David always promised me that he wouldn't get in too deep to where he couldn't get out. But that was nearly ten years ago.
"Last name?" I glanced up at Mr. Howe, who was checking someone into the role.
Checking someone in. I felt the blood start rushing through my veins. So I couldn't be checked in past the tardy bell, but a new kid who hasn't even been here before can be checked in!? Just my luck.
"Jones."
"Thanks, Mr. Jones. Class will start soon. Have a seat wherever."
I unraveled the napkin I had practically clenched in my hand, the cupcake pretty much smushed from the events of the morning. On top of the cupcake was a little broken candle. I pulled it off and went in to devour what would be breakfast.
"Birthday, huh?"
I hadn't even realized the new kid sat next to me, but I glanced over at him. Of course I couldn't enjoy my birthday breakfast alone.
I glared at him through the layers of days old mascara that I had habitually forgotten to take off.
"Birthday?" I scoffed. "Hardly. If you include a lousy cupcake, getting knocked off the school bus, and being marked absent in my first class a happy birthday, then, yes, happy birthday to me."
"Sorry about that, by the way. My equilibrium was thrown off from the horrendous turns. Tell me, does that school bus driver know that buses are not meant for drifting?"
"I'd take that up with her. I have you know, I will be picking gravel out of my hand for the next several days because of you." I dab the cuts on my hand with the napkin.
The kid looked away, not showing any sympathy.
"I'm Darcie, by the way. And this is first period math, where you learn absolutely nothing about math and just about everything of gangs and drugs."
"Jughead Jones, and, trust me, it beats the math class back at Riverdale."
"You're from Riverdale? Why in the world are you at Southside?" God knows I'd kill to attend Riverdale rather than this dump.
"It's a long story." Jughead stared into the distance.
"I would say, 'Oh, tell me more,' but, it's about to be second period, and I can't afford another tardy." I picked up my backpack, ready to bolt to my next class.
"I wouldn't want to bore you to death with my life story."
"Trust me, with the crap I hear around this school, I'd be glad to hear about some Riverdale drama. It's just bad timing."
The bell went off, signaling everyone had promptly five minutes to get to their next class.
"Catch ya later." I shot out the door without looking back, headed towards second period.