Johnson Hearts Carter

Have You Heard?

"Do I still have some in my hair?" Alexandra gestured towards her hair as she asked Verna to check. They were both headed towards the lunch room. And because of the oral quiz, some mean guys and girls from class decided to throw torn up pieces of eraser at Alexandra, hoping to get them lodged in her braid.  Unfortunately, most of them succeeded.

Verna checked and replied "No. I think I got most of it out. Why do they do this to you, Alex?" She pushed open the cafeteria door to let both of them into the boisterous lunch room.

Alexandra shrugged after thanking her friend "It doesn't really matter. We're graduating soon and I'm off to college and all these,” she paused, gesturing towards the different students scattered in groups, “will be nothing but a bad memory, easily forgotten in time.”

Verna shook her head, unconvinced with Alexandra’s reasoning "I just can't help but feel really angry. What is their problem? I mean, they are also sometimes mean to me but with you, it's ridiculous! It’s almost like there’s a vendetta against you and I don’t recall anything happening in the past years that merited this attack against you.” 

They fell in line and started filling their trays with food. Alexandra thought about what Verna said but decided not to think any more of it. It would mean expending unnecessary energy worrying and trying to figure out how to please people. Frankly, she would rather focus on worthier thoughts and deeds.

"Whatever, Verns, just let them do their thing,” she announced after grabbing an apple at the end of the food line before paying the cashier. Alex waited for Verna to finish paying before asking "Hey, did Mrs. Faraday say anything about the after school volunteer classes?"

Verna's eyes lit up as she picked up her tray to face Alex "Oh yes! They're continuing the program! We're having our next tutorial classes soon. I heard there’s an additional sponsor for the program and then, I think there's a dinner meeting? It’s exciting!”

Alexandra made a face thinking about going to dinner with a bunch of people but smiled after "I can't believe I'm tutoring again this year. It was so difficult the last time handling some of those kids.”

"Well, we did volunteer to teach kids with attitude problems. No use whining about it. Besides, think of how we can prevent them from being bullies when they get to our age!” Verna added, beaming with optimism. 

Alexandra could only nod in agreement as she balanced her tray with one hand while the one in a sling lightly held the other end. They carefully made their way towards the far end of the cafeteria where they usually would sit. On their way, a girl who they knew is part of the swim team stopped to ask Alexandra something out of the blue.

"Is it true?"

A surprised Alexandra and Verna stopped, unsure if she was talking to them or not.

"What is?" Alex mumbled back, her eyebrows furrowing with confusion.

"You turned down s*x with Travis Johnson?" The girl asked out loud.

Alexandra gasped as Verna seemed to choke on air. 

"Why-uh-who said-?” Alex stammered as soon as she recovered from the initial shock. She could feel all eyes from the people near them were starting to gaze towards her.

The girl shrugged, her long ponytail bobbing on her shoulder "It doesn't matter who said it. Is it true? Did you really turn him down?”

Alexandra could only manage to blink in awe, unable to say anything. Instead, she shakes her head and walks away from the girl who looked a little miffed that she did not answer. Alexandra could feel the stares burning a hole in her back as she trudged forward with Verna, making sure to keep her head down.

"What the freak was that all about?" Verna hissed in curiosity as they placed their trays on the table and sat down.

Alexandra, wide eyed, shook her head and opened her wrapped sandwich, saying nothing. She heard someone whispering then she heard her name and then realized that the people in the nearby table were looking at her while talking about something. 

Alexandra frowned. What was going on? Usually, lunch was a peaceful time since the other students were busy doing their own thing. Now, it seems like there is a huge spotlight above her head and everyone is drawn to it.

"Yes, apparently, the nerd's too good for Travis Johnson so she practically threw him out of her house" she caught a snippet of the conversation happening over at the nearby table.

"Yeah right! I bet she's playing hard to get but, really, just look at her- why would he jump at that?” A student wearing glasses giggled with her friend as the one talking looked towards Verna and Alex’s direction, then rolled her eyes at them.

Alexandra breathed slowly through her nose, her head throbbing in pain as she tried not to get anxious with what was buzzing around her. She tried to avoid the other girls’ gazes and turned a curtly to her side. This resulted to her injury starting to get painful as well. 

Alex grumbled as she rummaged through her bag for the painkillers. She just wanted to eat her sandwich in peace today! Was this new crazy circus idea about her really worth not having to miss classes? Then, there’s the other obvious matter to tackle: What had Travis Johnson done?

"Hey, Carter!" 

Someone shouted from across the cafeteria and years of practice have trained Alexandra not to look towards the direction of the voice.

"You too good for Johnson? What? He didn't have enough acne or retainers?" The one who called out continued to tease Alex when she did not turn to give him a look. The whole cafeteria erupted with laughter from most of the students. 

"Ignore them! Do you want to take our lunch somewhere else?" Verna asked.

Alexandra shook her head, a new determined plan forming in her mind. She scanned the room for Travis even though everyone in school knew he rarely made an appearance in the school’s lunch room.

This has got to stop. Why was he suddenly affecting her life like a thorn on her side? 

It wasn't the first time people gossiped and spread rumors about Alexandra. In fact, she was used to them making fun bizarre stories about her. It did not bother her since most of the rumors were so unbelievable they were impossible to have happened. However, the frequency of the attention she was getting was starting to become more than the usual so, she had to find Travis and make him undo whatever he fuss he had unleashed on her behalf.