Miss Popular

2

"You must be G- Gracie - er?" The tall male teacher asked looking down at a piece of paper

I shook my head as I slowly walked in the room, "Gray like the color and then -er at the end. I know it's kinda weird."

"No such thing, I'm Avalon and I'm a guy, of course, you'll call me Mr. Pala." He said pointing to a seat next to Everett

I sat down slowly and didn't make eye contact.

"So as you can see this class didn't generate a lot of interest, but due to the school spending a hell of a lot of money on this room, they still kept it. So I'll tell you a little bit about myself." Mr. Pala started as he sat on a stool

"My name is Mr.Pala to you, Avalon outside of school. I've been writing and producing music for a while, I own a recording studio downtown, and I'm here to educate the future singers and producers of the future. I have three brothers, my parents divorced when I was six but they co-parent great, I'm married to the love of my life and we have three little girls named Sicily, Sydney, and Savannah - yes they're all named after places. Um, Miss. Johnson tell me a little bit about yourself." Mr. Pala went on

"My name is Grier, one sister, two brothers, but I'm probably closest to my sister." I started

"So your sister is kinda like your best friend?" He asked

I nodded, "Definitely, she's probably the only person who knows everything about me. The way our rooms are set up, she's right across the hall so if I have a problem at two in the morning, I'll go into Holland's room. Oh, Holland is my sister."

"I've danced since I was young, it was honestly always my sweet escape. So yeah."

Mr. Pala grinned, "Now Everett, your turn."

"My name is Everett, I have one sister, I live with my parents and my dog. I'd always been the quiet kid who was always pushed to the side. This summer I wanted to change all of that, I started to work on myself. Not just physically but mentally and creatively." He spoke

"So you basically got really freakin' cute? That's what all the girls have been whispering all day. Does he look better, Grier? Wait have you two been going to school together all this time?" Mr. Pala wondered

I nodded, "I mean I personally always thought he was a pretty sweet kid, looks only last so long. We've been going to the same schools since sixth grade."

"We've never spoken though other than we were in the same science group in seventh grade if you remember." Everett spoke

I finally turned my head and made eye contact.

"I remember." I confirmed

Mr. Pala grinned, "So you've never spoken before this class?"

We both shook our heads 'no'.

"Different circles." Everett said lowly

Mr. Pala stood up, "I'm gonna grab us some donuts from that place up the street, don't tell, I'll be back in ten. Talk to each other, feel free to walk around."

We watched as he walked out of the classroom and into the oblivion.

I stood up and walked to the instruments.

"What do you play?" Everett asked as I could hear him getting up

I touched the huge grand piano, "Piano, guitar, I dabble in the ukelele. You?"

"Same, minus the ukelele. Electric, acoustic?" He asked me

"Both." I responded as I picked up the electric guitar that was already hooked up