BOOM.
Chad and Ryan both jerked.
"What the fuck was that?"
They walked to the window of the math classroom, to see Maggie and Josie booking it down the hall.
"Those girls…" Ryan said.
"I know. I know." Chad replied.
"Now that we've been interrupted," Chad said, "What's new with Sharpay?"
"Well…" Ryan said.
"Yeah?"
"I couldn't get the money. When I told her this, she silently walked away. A few hours later, there was a package in my locker. There was a severed ear inside."
"Wait, a real one?"
"A plastic one. Dumbass," Ryan playfully smacked Chad upside the head. Chad grinned and licked Ryan's hand as he retracted it.
"Gross!"
"Surely you're used to my tongue by now."
Ryan rolled his eyes.
"So Sharpay is familiar with 60s kidnapping cases?" Chad said.
"Or '21 Jump Street' episodes,"
"Or insane artists,"
"In any case, apparently so,"
"Huh. She just gained a couple points in my book."
"Same here,"
"So she's gonna tell."
"Yup,"
"Everyone,"
"Yup,"
"Okay. What should we do?"
"I was thinking go live in a cave. In San Francisco,"
"Where we'll be accepted,"
"Yeah,"
"If we can't get $150, how can we get enough money for airfare to Northern California?"
"Hitchhike?"
"Because that's safe,"
"Uh-huh,"
"Great," Chad said, "Good to know we have a plan."
"Indeed."
"But seriously?"
Ryan sighed.
"There's nothing we can do," he said.
Chad nodded.
"So I'm done for?"
"Hey, at least you aren't a senator. That would be way more embarrassing, and you'd be out of a job as well as a closet."
"I guess."
"And at least we have eachother."
"Yeah," Chad mumbled.
The warning bell rang. Ryan gave Chad a peck before leaving. Chad exasperatedly collapsed into a chair and slammed his head on the desk before it.
Alright, hit me with a snarky comment.
I got nothing.
Come on. I can take it.
Seriously. I feel for you.
You? Sympathy? You're getting soft, dude.
It comes with age, I suppose.
I suppose.
Don't worry, I'll have something next time.
It's good to know there's a constant in my life.
I'm only here to help.
Of course.
The late bell rang. Chad didn't care. His life was over, what was a detention?
Maggie skipped into the room.
"Hi Chad!" she chirped.
Chad gave a weary nod of acknowledgment.
"Why isn't anyone in here?"
"The teacher's only part-time. Doesn't work fifth and sixth period,"
Maggie nodded, maintaining her grin.
"What's wrong?" she asked, attempting to sound concerned, but she was still chirruping.
"Sharpay's going to tell everyone about me and Ryan, unless we can get $150."
"That's a bummer."
"What a drag." Chad replied.
It was quiet for a moment.
"Why aren't you in class?" Chad asked.
"Oh, I don't go to class."
"Why not?"
"I already know everything the teacher says,"
"Ah, to have such concerns,"
"It's a real burden."
"Then where do you go?"
"Usually the grocery store, down the street,"
"Mind if I join you?"
Chad could tell Maggie was trying not to squeal.
"Of course." She managed to squeak.
Chad sighed.