HOME | DD

Description
When they say something throws you “head over heels,” they mean it completely disorients you. That was how it happened when my parents died when I was 16.
It was weeks into my junior year that it happened, just as the air was beginning to cool down. My birthday was in the fall, and my mind was whirling with possibilities of a party as I slid into our lunch table.
“Ugh, I don’t know how much longer I can take that Mark guy,” my friend Alyssa sighed, twisting her auburn hair up into a bun.
“He thought your name was Kristin,” I laughed.
“Hey, did any of you get number sixteen in the Rhetorical test?” Mary asked, across from me.
“Not in that class,” I said, raising my hands.
“Yeah, it was something about Thoreau’s beliefs rooted in Transcendentalism…” Victoria said through a bite of a sandwich, turning to her. “I don’t really remember what I said.”
“No, do not start about the Rhetorical test,” Becca began, sliding in next to me. “I did not do well, even though it’s the first one of the year.”
“What what Rhetorical what?” Harley added, sliding in across from her. “Losers. IA is best.”
“Sanders is probably gonna be lenient,” Alyssa said in Becca’s direction. “You know him.”
“He might as well just have one of his random scary fits,” Becca said into her lap, chewing on a piece of bell pepper. “Though scary is scary.”
“Students, this is a lockdown procedure,” the loudspeaker announced, and I dropped a package of cookies as I jolted in my seat. Scooping all of my food into my lunchbox, I ran the zipper to the other side and slung my backpack over my shoulder.
“Where do we go?!” I asked, my voice rising in pitch.
“The Student Guidance Center,” Victoria said, her tone not wavering.
“I refuse to conform!” Harley said to no one in particular, throwing the hood of her hoodie off as she yelled at the ceiling. She ran off towards the center of the building, and Becca and I met eyes as she disappeared from our sight.
“Dangit, Harley,” Becca said in a low tone. “You never make things easy, do you?”