The Stones

Ok guys and gals, second story! Tell me what y'all think!

"Penelope Ryder." My name was spoken threw the intercom at the small high school I went to. I groaned internally, hating the sound of my name being echoed threw out the entire student body. Could my first day of high school be more embarrassing?  

As I slipped out of my seat and toward the classroom door, I could feel their eyes watching me, like I was a circus animal. Why did this happen to every student who had their name called from the speakers above our heads? Was it that most teenagers lives where so uneventful that they had to turn to the hellish embarrassment and humiliation of another human for entertainment? Yes, I decided, that must be it. 

As I exited the class into the hallway, I heard the names of other fellow students being called, just like me. Most of those names belonged to my friends. I swallowed the lump in my throat and forced my now heavy legs to walk down the hallway. My God, what had we done now? 

As soon as the thought had entered my mind, I felt someones hand on my shoulder, and a scratchy voice whispered in my ear "What have you gotten us into now?" I jumped at the words and turned, only to see my good friend Carolyn smiling like a kid on Christmas morning. Carolyn was always doing things like that, enjoying the reaction she got out of people. To a stranger, she looked completely innocent. Her big blue eyes seemed to always be smiling, her fair complexion seemed to radiate happiness, her long brown hair bouncing. She was a poster model for the girl next door. But anyone who knew her personally knew that this girl next door was likely to have a few bodies in her basement also.  

"Didn't do anything this time, you?" Carolyn shook her head at my question. That was odd. Carolyn and I where usually the troublemakers of our group. Very rarely did we have to cover for the other kids; they knew how to take care of themselves.  

As we walked to the principals office I pondered what we did to deserve this. We hadn't broken any of the rules so far, and we hadn't done anything illegal. Well, not in the past week, but definitely not today. I shook my head and tried to drag my self out of my inner ramblings.  

When we entered the principals office, all of the other students where there. The principal was sitting in his chair, staring at our records on his computer screen. The man him self, Mr. Howard, turned towards us, his fat jiggling with his every move. He was a disgusting man, if I was to be truthful. His beady black eyes seemed to be to small for his head, his hair was a greasy, unhealthy looking dark brown, and when he stood, his belly fell out slightly from under his shirt. His foot hopped up and down in nervous aggitation, and I wondered what was making him feel that way. He coughed and fixed his tie, attracting our attention.  

"As you all know, you are the students that, in this school, hold the worst records. Some of you have blown up past principals desks, shot people, stole, and worse. Since we are starting a new school year, the teachers and I thought it would be best to also give you a fresh start- with certain terms. If you all agree to turn in a group project every six weeks, we will make sure you are not discriminated against, and that you get any classes you wish. All you have to do is turn in the group projects and behave. Deal?" Mr. Howard asked, sweat trailing his forehead.  

I smirked and held up my hand. Mr. Howard nodded at my hand "Yes Penelope?" I almost growled outload at the use of my first name. I hadn't gone by Penelope since I was three. Did they not write that down on the school records? 

"I go by Lo. We will agree to your terms, on one more condition- we can dress and style our hair to our liking. Got it?" Mr. Howard looked skeptically at us, but accepted. I grinned, flashing him my teeth. He was going to regret this.