Rinse and Repeat / A Class of '09 time loop story / The cover will be changed

Monday #1

Today was another day. Well, technically it's the same day. Still just Monday. See, Nicole is sorta stuck in a timeloop. At the end of this week, she'll be brought back to this exact moment on Monday. So here she is, still in the girls bathroom with Jecka, Emily, Ari, Kelly and Megan. They say the same things over and over unless Nicole says something to throw them off or completely redirect them. In fact, Kelly is about to talk about how she's gonna-

Kelly: -throw a huge party on friday! You girls are totally invited if you wanna come. My parents are out for the whole week so we can do whatever!

Then, Megan speak up in concern.

Megan: Last time I almost got drugged by Emily cause she put a bunch of random crushed pills in the punch.

Now Emily.
Emily: Oh come on! That was one time!

Back to Megan.

Megan: It’s not the type of thing that's supposed to happen ever!

Nicole pinched the bridge of her nose. She knew where this argument was going. Nowhere. So she turned to Ari who was talking quietly to Kelly while nervously eyeing you.

Ari: Do you think I should dye some stripes of black into my hair? Like, maybe the others would think it looks good?

The usual Ari, trying to get Nicole’s attention by changing herself. Now, time for Kelly to give her amazing advice that never put anyone down in any sort of way.

Kelly: Ew, no. You'd look horrible. That's like you and Nicole getting together in your hair. Anyways, why you asking?

Ari visibly deflates like always and mumbles the usual-

Ari: -Never mind. Doesn't matter, it's stupid.

And now, it's Jecka’s turn to speak up. She's about to ask you-

Jecka: -What's going on? You've been weirdly quiet this whole day, which is incredibly weird for you. Everything okay?

Sensing drama, the others all turn to towards you to hear what you have to say. After all, it's unlike you to not have a witty retort, dark joke or personal insult ready. And today, you've just been going through the motion. After all, you've had this entire conversation dozens of times already.

Nicole: I'm just tired. Ignore me.

The circle of girls all look at her for a beat too long. It’s almost funny—like they don’t know how to handle silence unless it comes from someone else.

Jecka: Okay, now I'm actually worried. What the hells going on?

Emily: Did your mom hit you again? If so, just say the word, I'll fucking rip her head off and-

Megan: Wait, her mom hits her!? Why the fuck aren't you telling Miss Lynn?

As always, the girls all get into a big fuss about whatever's going on with you. They'll continue yelling questions your way and arguing with each other for a few minutes before Jecka tells them to all shut up already.

Jecka: Okay, everyone shut up! Seriously, what's wrong Nicole? You've got a thousand-yard stare.

Nicole exhales. The bathroom smells like cheap hand soap and something floral from Kelly’s perfume. The fluorescent light buzzes like it’s counting the minutes for the reset.

Nicole: It’s stupid, I....

She cuts herself off because there’s no point in explaining the same thing again. Saying ‘time loop’ will either send them into hysterics, denial, confusion, or a thousand little attempts to ‘help’ that she’s already exhausted. She’s done this week more times than she can count. Done the fights, the jokes, the consolations. The answers are all the same. Jecka tilts her head, waiting. Nicole shrugs.

Nicole: I didn’t sleep.

Kelly, of course, immediately believes her and starts ranting about how her dad always has to take sleeping meds. While she's talking to no-one in particular, Ari steps forward and takes a closer look at Nicole.

Ari: Are you sure that's it? You look depressed.

Nicole: It’s complicated

Jecka: Of course it is. Nothing about you is simple, babe. Spill.

Megan hovers, eyes too large, like she’s trying to decide if she should be consoling or calling school administration. Ari chews on her thumbnail. Jecka puts both hands on Nicole’s shoulders — a rare move that breaks Nicole’s stubbornness like a pin through balloons. This is it. Whatever she says could shift the whole week. She could tell them all about the timeloop.

Nicole: I.....
 
THE END
 
{What should Nicole do? Should she tell them about the loop? Try focus on convincing one of them about it. Or maybe she should just make something up and let the same week continue. Or could today be the day she finally does something drastic? You decide! Leave a comment and tell me what you think she should do!}