No Strings Attached

II

Another day, another dreadful time at school. Today's a Friday, so things would not be as bad. As I prepare yet another uneventful outfit for a mundane school day, I can't help but think about what is to come with this spontaneous trip with Lizzie and Joseph. Lizzie loves nature, and Joseph loves exploring, so it definitely will be an eventful trip. Grabbing my backpack and slipping on my earbuds, I sigh, which seems to be the most common thing I do, and head for the door. 

The school was adorned in orange and green, our school colors. Today was our big homecoming game, and the school was buzzing with excitement. Our school has been national champions for years, and today would be no different. I'm not usually interested in football games, but after joining the spirit committee for the yearbook, I've learned to have a bit of school spirit. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Lizzie sprinting towards me. She looked as if the school's spirit had engulfed her.

"Are you excited for the game? It's our last homecoming ever. You have to come to the game!" She grabs my hands and pleads her most enormous puppy dog eyes. I could resist her begs, and this was no exception.

"Absolutely not. I'll go to whatever event with you and Joseph for that fifty bucks, but I have absolutely no place being at a football game," I stated. Her beaming smile softened as she let go of my hands. I felt a bit bad, as her excitement was through the roof, but any thought of football or any sport that wasn't tennis made me want to hurl.

"At least come to the pep rally during seventh period?" I begrudgingly nod, and her smile creeps back. 

"Good, good. We need to get you beaming with school spirit. Come with me!" Lizzie exclaims as she once again grabs my hand and pulls us towards the girl's restroom.

Opening her backpack, Lizzie revealed a makeup case filled with glitter, stickers, and gems. She had the most school spirit I've ever seen. We were definitely opposites of each other, but that's what always made us so strong. I couldn't imagine my life without Elizabeth. She is my rock, and nothing could ever change that. 

Grabbing a multitude of colorful eyeshadow palettes and spray-on glitter, Lizzie went to town, decorating my appearance to make me shine. Looking in the mirror, I couldn't help but like a little bit of what I saw. If putting effort into my appearance wasn't such a hassle, I would enjoy how I looked. My cheeks were smeared with orange paint as the green eyeshadow made my eyes pop. Lizzie finished her masterpiece by sticking a few gems onto the corners of my eyes and spraying my hair with orange glitter.

"What do you think? I think you're screaming with school spirit! You look ready for the game!" I rolled my eyes at Lizzie. 

"I told you already, I'm not going to the game. It's enough that I'm going to the pep rally with you, so cut me some slack." Her shoulders fell along with her smile. I sighed and shook my head. 

As we left the restroom, I couldn't help but feel eyes all over me. The attention made me want to crawl back into a hole and cry. I hated it. All this attention was terrifying. I can't fathom how people do this daily, wanting all the looks and whispers about them. My impression of people terrifies me. But for Lizzie's joy, I'll persevere. 

I dropped Lizzie off at her first-period economics class before going to chemistry. As I entered the class, I could feel all eyes on me. Their piercing gazes as they whispered about my appearance and the giggles that left their lips as I went to take a seat made me hate this. I threw my hood on and sunk into my chair. 

The bell rang once again, signaling the start of lunch. Making my way toward the cafeteria once again, I grabbed a plate of soggy chicken nuggets with hard French fries and a side of wet ketchup. It was disgusting. It seemed like a sin to serve such a horror of food. Sitting in my normal spot, I waited for Lizzie and Joseph.