This Is What Makes us Girls
Chapter 4
“Barthelme Academy is a school that excels in academics and broadens the minds of our youth. It’s a place for self-discovery and learning how to become a full-time participant in the world.”
I nearly gagged while reading the pamphlets that the front office offered. The reason I was still waiting in the office was that the lilac-haired woman—whose name I later found out was Edith—is waiting on my campus guide, who coincidentally was also my roommate. Edith kept typing away on her computer before walking over to me and handing my schedule.
“You will start you classes tomorrow, and welcome to Barthelme Academy.” She smiled warmly at me.
I returned the smile—albeit it was forced, but she was nice enough to fake my happiness—before grabbing the sheet of paper from her hands. Glancing at the list of classes, I almost exclaimed with great frustration.
1.Introduction to Psychology-Room: Discussion Hall 103 Instructor: Ellen Daughtry
2.Introduction to Religious Studies-Room: Discussion Hall 201 Instructor: Lawrence Baker
3.Art History-Room: Recreational Hall 202 Instructor: Evangeline Masako
4.Algebraic Concepts 2-Room: Mathematics Hall 205 Instructor: Kyle Anderson
5.Chemistry-Room: Science Hall 105 Instructor: Anna Clear
6.Comparative Literature/Intensive Writing-Room: Library 101 Instructor: Bethany Mitchell
7.Physical Education-Room: Gym/Weight Room Instructor: Kevin Smith
8.Homeroom-Room: Discussion Hall 201 Instructor: Lawrence Baker
Every class I was signed up for sounded overly pretentious. I could feel a headache coming onto me just reading their names. Even the names of the rooms itself sounded obnoxious. The three boys whom I silently admired from a distance had waited next to me with bored expressions on their faces. They sat at the bank of chairs that flanked to my right, leaving an open seat between me and them.
“I bet they’re blaming us for the tagging on the side of the damn statue.” The one with spiky hair mumbled.
The lanky tattoo guy snickered. “Well, I will admit that the statue looks better.”
The shorter guy smacked the lanky guy with one swift hit. “Will you shut up?” He hissed.
I kept snagging glances at them, wondering what they were talking about. It wasn’t long until a dark haired girl walked in, wearing the similar expression that every student had—which was a mixture between disdain and boredom.
“Ava!” The spiky haired guy exclaimed. “Don’t tell me you’re here because of the dumb graffiti.” He added.
Ava—my guide?—shook her head. “Nope, I’m here for the fresh meat.” She answered then looked at me, pursing her lips slightly.
“I think she’s deaf.” The lanky guy chimed in.
I rolled my eyes, deciding to speak. “I’m not deaf.” I mumbled.
“Perfect.” Ava said with a wide smile. She glanced at Edith who still didn’t look up from her computer since Ava walked in. “They really know how to wheel out the welcome wagon, huh?” She commented to no one in particular.
I shrugged since I wasn’t in the chatty mood.
“So, you’re not deaf?” The lanky guy asked for clarification.
“Does it seem like I’m deaf?” I replied blandly.
The other two guys along with Ava started to snicker.
“She’ll fit in perfectly with the other bitches in this place.” Ava commented with a broad smile. “Anyway, I’m Ava—your new roommate. And these three hopeless idiots are Vic, Jaime, and Mike.” She introduced.
Vic was the short one, Jaime was the spiky hair, and Mike was the lanky fellow.
“Hi, I’m Elizabeth but most people call me Lizzie.” I reciprocated, minus the broad smile.
Ava nodded. “Are you another hopeless case as well?” She asked.
I wasn’t sure if she was poking fun at me or not, but I said “Aren’t we all?”
Mike smirked. “Well on behalf of the misfits here at Barthelme, welcome to a new kind of hell.”
“Before I show you around this mundane campus, I must ask, what brought you to this fine institution that will most likely bankrupt your parents bank accounts upon graduation?” Ava asked looking directly at me.
I shrugged. “You’d have to ask the sender.”
It was then that another boy walked in; round face, brown eyes, and snake bite piercings on his lips. I’m not a know-it-all when it comes to boarding schools, but I’m pretty sure that facial piercings and tattoos weren’t the custom norms. The boy walked towards and plopped himself next to Mike and his friends.
“This is bullshit.” He muttered. “Everyone knows it was those damn gringos who did it.” He added with a scowl. His eyes then cut to Ava before going big. “Ava, what the hell are you doing here?” He demanded.
She rolled her eyes. “Picking up my new roommate.” She answered while nodding towards me. “Lizzie this is my brother Tony, Tony this is Lizzie—another hopeless case.”
“Nice to meet you.” He mumbled out before turning to Mike, Jaime, and Vic. “Were you guys called in yet?”
They all shook their heads.
“Let’s get you back to the dorms Lizzie. You have yet to meet the skanks in this shithole. If you thought public school girls were whores, then you’ve never roomed with boarding school girls.” She muttered while picking up one of my suitcases.
I got up, offering each of the guys a forced smile before following Ava out into the semi-crowded hallways of Barthelme. Everyone was dressed in uniform—sweater vests over a cotton button up shirt, dress slacks for guys, and skirts for girls.
“It’s a good thing they bunked you with me because the only other girl whose roommate-less is Cara and she’s a complete bitch—like will probably rat you out for a perfect GPA kind of bitch.” Ava began.
We passed some large building in which Ava explained were the dining hall and the theatre. She then grabbed my schedule and checked out my classes.
“Cool.” She commented. “We have four classes together and homeroom.”
“Are your brother them always in trouble?” I asked out of curiosity.
“No more than an average teenager should be in trouble.” Ava replied. “My brother tends to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
I nodded, allowing that conversation to drop completely.
“Our dorm building is the one located next to the hideous statue of chairs.” She said and at first I had no idea what she was referring to until we came upon it.
The statue was basically an instillation artwork that featured a bunch of wooden chairs stacked up on each other. It looked a little weathered, considering that it was outside with no coverage. There were distinct water spots on it and the wood seemed to be chipping.
“God, that’s awful.” I commented.
“Right! They spent this ridiculous amount of money for some guy in Connecticut to come down here and waste some perfectly sitable chairs just so he can express what an institution for education should be like.” Ava ranted, making me laugh for the first time today.
“Is it a metaphor?” I asked while staring at this horrible work of art.
Ava shook head. “I haven’t the slightest clue on what that POS could be other than it makes me wanna barf.”
I followed her into the building which was mostly vacant since classes were in session. “This is the common room where most girls tend to watch television and shit.” She began as we quickly passed through a large room filled with comfy couches and lounge chairs. Walking up a flight of stairs, Ava said “This is the shower room. It’s not co-ed so try not to bring any fuck buddies up here.”
Another flight of stairs, and we were faced with a long hall with doors on either side. “And this is a dorm rooms. These are only the second years. Ever year spent in this place you move dorm buildings. It’s the reason why Barthelme Academy has a tuition that beats out most colleges across the nation.” She explained.
We entered through door 09, which I was assuming would be my new home for the next handful of months until summer let out. “And this is our dorm room. It’s not much, but it has the best view.” She smirked then opened the curtains to reveal a decent view of the field where I’m assuming Physical Education takes place on occasion.
Ava plopped my bags on the empty bed before flopping onto hers. “There are unspoken rules at Barthelme.” She began with a sigh. “One: don’t rat out anyone. This is crucial, Lizzie because once a rat, you’re basically a target to everyone.”
“Don’t worry, I don’t rat.” I promised.
Ava smiled. “Two: never bring boys back up to this room. I know it’s an official Barthelme rule, but any girl who brings a girl back up to their room is labeled ‘untrustworthy’. Most girls don’t realize that hooking up in the stacks at the library is far better than in a stuffy dorm room.”
I laughed in return.
“And thirdly, don’t let these bitches smell fear on you. We might come off as sweet and polite, but at the first hint of weakness most girls in here will go for the throat.” Ava warned. “Other than that, I’m sure you’ll have an okay time here at Barthelme.”
I nearly gagged while reading the pamphlets that the front office offered. The reason I was still waiting in the office was that the lilac-haired woman—whose name I later found out was Edith—is waiting on my campus guide, who coincidentally was also my roommate. Edith kept typing away on her computer before walking over to me and handing my schedule.
“You will start you classes tomorrow, and welcome to Barthelme Academy.” She smiled warmly at me.
I returned the smile—albeit it was forced, but she was nice enough to fake my happiness—before grabbing the sheet of paper from her hands. Glancing at the list of classes, I almost exclaimed with great frustration.
1.Introduction to Psychology-Room: Discussion Hall 103 Instructor: Ellen Daughtry
2.Introduction to Religious Studies-Room: Discussion Hall 201 Instructor: Lawrence Baker
3.Art History-Room: Recreational Hall 202 Instructor: Evangeline Masako
4.Algebraic Concepts 2-Room: Mathematics Hall 205 Instructor: Kyle Anderson
5.Chemistry-Room: Science Hall 105 Instructor: Anna Clear
6.Comparative Literature/Intensive Writing-Room: Library 101 Instructor: Bethany Mitchell
7.Physical Education-Room: Gym/Weight Room Instructor: Kevin Smith
8.Homeroom-Room: Discussion Hall 201 Instructor: Lawrence Baker
Every class I was signed up for sounded overly pretentious. I could feel a headache coming onto me just reading their names. Even the names of the rooms itself sounded obnoxious. The three boys whom I silently admired from a distance had waited next to me with bored expressions on their faces. They sat at the bank of chairs that flanked to my right, leaving an open seat between me and them.
“I bet they’re blaming us for the tagging on the side of the damn statue.” The one with spiky hair mumbled.
The lanky tattoo guy snickered. “Well, I will admit that the statue looks better.”
The shorter guy smacked the lanky guy with one swift hit. “Will you shut up?” He hissed.
I kept snagging glances at them, wondering what they were talking about. It wasn’t long until a dark haired girl walked in, wearing the similar expression that every student had—which was a mixture between disdain and boredom.
“Ava!” The spiky haired guy exclaimed. “Don’t tell me you’re here because of the dumb graffiti.” He added.
Ava—my guide?—shook her head. “Nope, I’m here for the fresh meat.” She answered then looked at me, pursing her lips slightly.
“I think she’s deaf.” The lanky guy chimed in.
I rolled my eyes, deciding to speak. “I’m not deaf.” I mumbled.
“Perfect.” Ava said with a wide smile. She glanced at Edith who still didn’t look up from her computer since Ava walked in. “They really know how to wheel out the welcome wagon, huh?” She commented to no one in particular.
I shrugged since I wasn’t in the chatty mood.
“So, you’re not deaf?” The lanky guy asked for clarification.
“Does it seem like I’m deaf?” I replied blandly.
The other two guys along with Ava started to snicker.
“She’ll fit in perfectly with the other bitches in this place.” Ava commented with a broad smile. “Anyway, I’m Ava—your new roommate. And these three hopeless idiots are Vic, Jaime, and Mike.” She introduced.
Vic was the short one, Jaime was the spiky hair, and Mike was the lanky fellow.
“Hi, I’m Elizabeth but most people call me Lizzie.” I reciprocated, minus the broad smile.
Ava nodded. “Are you another hopeless case as well?” She asked.
I wasn’t sure if she was poking fun at me or not, but I said “Aren’t we all?”
Mike smirked. “Well on behalf of the misfits here at Barthelme, welcome to a new kind of hell.”
“Before I show you around this mundane campus, I must ask, what brought you to this fine institution that will most likely bankrupt your parents bank accounts upon graduation?” Ava asked looking directly at me.
I shrugged. “You’d have to ask the sender.”
It was then that another boy walked in; round face, brown eyes, and snake bite piercings on his lips. I’m not a know-it-all when it comes to boarding schools, but I’m pretty sure that facial piercings and tattoos weren’t the custom norms. The boy walked towards and plopped himself next to Mike and his friends.
“This is bullshit.” He muttered. “Everyone knows it was those damn gringos who did it.” He added with a scowl. His eyes then cut to Ava before going big. “Ava, what the hell are you doing here?” He demanded.
She rolled her eyes. “Picking up my new roommate.” She answered while nodding towards me. “Lizzie this is my brother Tony, Tony this is Lizzie—another hopeless case.”
“Nice to meet you.” He mumbled out before turning to Mike, Jaime, and Vic. “Were you guys called in yet?”
They all shook their heads.
“Let’s get you back to the dorms Lizzie. You have yet to meet the skanks in this shithole. If you thought public school girls were whores, then you’ve never roomed with boarding school girls.” She muttered while picking up one of my suitcases.
I got up, offering each of the guys a forced smile before following Ava out into the semi-crowded hallways of Barthelme. Everyone was dressed in uniform—sweater vests over a cotton button up shirt, dress slacks for guys, and skirts for girls.
“It’s a good thing they bunked you with me because the only other girl whose roommate-less is Cara and she’s a complete bitch—like will probably rat you out for a perfect GPA kind of bitch.” Ava began.
We passed some large building in which Ava explained were the dining hall and the theatre. She then grabbed my schedule and checked out my classes.
“Cool.” She commented. “We have four classes together and homeroom.”
“Are your brother them always in trouble?” I asked out of curiosity.
“No more than an average teenager should be in trouble.” Ava replied. “My brother tends to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
I nodded, allowing that conversation to drop completely.
“Our dorm building is the one located next to the hideous statue of chairs.” She said and at first I had no idea what she was referring to until we came upon it.
The statue was basically an instillation artwork that featured a bunch of wooden chairs stacked up on each other. It looked a little weathered, considering that it was outside with no coverage. There were distinct water spots on it and the wood seemed to be chipping.
“God, that’s awful.” I commented.
“Right! They spent this ridiculous amount of money for some guy in Connecticut to come down here and waste some perfectly sitable chairs just so he can express what an institution for education should be like.” Ava ranted, making me laugh for the first time today.
“Is it a metaphor?” I asked while staring at this horrible work of art.
Ava shook head. “I haven’t the slightest clue on what that POS could be other than it makes me wanna barf.”
I followed her into the building which was mostly vacant since classes were in session. “This is the common room where most girls tend to watch television and shit.” She began as we quickly passed through a large room filled with comfy couches and lounge chairs. Walking up a flight of stairs, Ava said “This is the shower room. It’s not co-ed so try not to bring any fuck buddies up here.”
Another flight of stairs, and we were faced with a long hall with doors on either side. “And this is a dorm rooms. These are only the second years. Ever year spent in this place you move dorm buildings. It’s the reason why Barthelme Academy has a tuition that beats out most colleges across the nation.” She explained.
We entered through door 09, which I was assuming would be my new home for the next handful of months until summer let out. “And this is our dorm room. It’s not much, but it has the best view.” She smirked then opened the curtains to reveal a decent view of the field where I’m assuming Physical Education takes place on occasion.
Ava plopped my bags on the empty bed before flopping onto hers. “There are unspoken rules at Barthelme.” She began with a sigh. “One: don’t rat out anyone. This is crucial, Lizzie because once a rat, you’re basically a target to everyone.”
“Don’t worry, I don’t rat.” I promised.
Ava smiled. “Two: never bring boys back up to this room. I know it’s an official Barthelme rule, but any girl who brings a girl back up to their room is labeled ‘untrustworthy’. Most girls don’t realize that hooking up in the stacks at the library is far better than in a stuffy dorm room.”
I laughed in return.
“And thirdly, don’t let these bitches smell fear on you. We might come off as sweet and polite, but at the first hint of weakness most girls in here will go for the throat.” Ava warned. “Other than that, I’m sure you’ll have an okay time here at Barthelme.”
Notes
I really hope this chapter turned out okay. I had the hardest time writing it so I had to listen to a shit load of Lana Del Rey songs for inspiration.
@HiddenBeauty Good luck Wolfie! <3
Enjoy <3
Sidenote: just fixed the fuckery that was Lizzie's schedule :)
Yay! She's coming out of her shell :3
Update soon!!!
6/26/14