the graceless

[instar]

Bella sits out, this year as every year, from gym class. It's just asking for a lawsuit. She does stretches and crunches and push-ups in the corner.

Comments

[pandion]

"Worst case scenario, we go eat some corn," shrugs Andi. "It's boring, but we just turn down all the neon-color liquids, yeah?"

[instar]

Bella shakes her head. "I don't want to. It's not a bowl of salad, and I don't want to, and that used to matter more than it currently seems to to Charlie."

[aeskhyne]

"Is there some kind of special exception for bowls of salad?" wonders Trouble.

[instar]

"Renée is sincerely motivated by concern for our health when she makes us eat salad," says Bella. "Also, it is not a suspicious, new behavior that she developed after converting to Scientology or something."

[pandion]

"Also, everyone's parents make them eat vegetables," says Andi.

[aeskhyne]

"Not so much," he says to Andi.

[pandion]

"What, do you just eat whatever you want at home?"

[aeskhyne]

"Actually, I was thinking of Ethan."

[pandion]

"He eats whatever he wants?"

[aeskhyne]

"Eats whatever he wants, does whatever he wants. His parents couldn't give a shit."

[pandion]

"That sounds conveniently depressing. Depressingly convenient? Convenient and also depressing?"

[aeskhyne]

"Could be worse."

[pandion]

"I guess, it could be depressing and inconvenient."

[aeskhyne]

He laughs. "Yeah, that."

[instar]

"You're over at his place a lot?"

[aeskhyne]

"Yep," says Trouble.

[pandion]

"Bella thinks you're either sleeping with him or implying to people that you are for some reason," Andi says.

[aeskhyne]

"I sure implied it to her," says Trouble. "Not to most people, but if you're after him I figure you should know."

[pandion]

"I like his accent," says Andi defensively.

[aeskhyne]

"His accent is adorable," Trouble agrees.

[pandion]

"So is he gay or bisexual or what? Are you dating or do you just hook up?"

[aeskhyne]

"I don't think he's gay," says Trouble. "And we're definitely not dating."

[pandion]

"Well, I like him, but I don't want him if he's going to keep hooking up with you, I'm not one of those people who thinks cheating doesn't count if it's with another dude," huffs Andi. "And Bella also said you don't think I can get him to like me."

[aeskhyne]

"It is theoretically possible that there are some nice friendly human feelings in there somewhere," says Trouble. "But I've never seen 'em. Part of the reason he hangs out with me is 'cause he can get laid without pretending to care."

[pandion]

"Ew," says Andi.