Chapter Text
3:00pm
"Pencils down! Please pass your exam booklets to the end of your row for me to collect," Mr. Caraway, the grade twelve AP Biology teacher at Walkerville High announced.
"Yesss, hell week is over. Summer vacation here we come," Carlos hissed, stretching his arms above his head, which caused his hoodie to ride up.
Dorothy Ann's crystal blue eyes strayed down to the tantalizing band of exposed caramel flesh along his lower back. She licked her lips at the sheen of sweat coating his skin before it disappeared from her line of vision when he moved to tap his water bottle against Arnold's in a toast. Both boys chugged their beverages and tossed them into the recycling bin at the front of the room.
"Agreed. I can't wait to go home and crash until dinner time," Arnold sighed in relief, removing his glasses to rub his tired eyes.
"No freaking way. You guys did NOT just do that!" Ralphie sputtered, his mouth hanging open in disbelief.
"What's wrong drama king? I thought you'd finally relax a little after our last exam," Keesha teased, leaning forward to soothingly rub her boyfriend's shoulder.
"It's bad luck to toast with water!" Ralphie protested.
"Wait, what?!" Arnold exclaimed.
"Says who?" Carlos scoffed.
"Says my mom, the US Navy and your grandmother," Ralphie confidently answered, resting his hand on top of Keesha's.
"Pfft yeah right! I don't believe in all that superstitious stuff my Abuela says. I'm a man of science, I make my own destiny," Carlos laughed.
He turned around in his seat and beamed at Dorothy Ann. She gave him a weak nod and hoped he didn't notice her flushed cheeks.
"It's okay, Arnold. Maybe that superstition only applies to glasses of water, not water bottles," Phoebe reassured him.
"Thanks Pheebs," Arnold said, offering her a small smile as he continued to nervously twiddle his fingers. Phoebe blushed and shyly tucked her hair behind her ear.
"Yeah out with the bad vibes Arnold! Ooh I know - let's talk about our summer plans! Gotta make the most of it before we all start college at Walkerville U," Wanda declared.
"At least we'll still be together on campus, but that doesn't mean we can't hang out during the summer as well. The school year is bound to get very busy," Tim nodded.
"I might actually study abroad for at least one term while I'm there. Paris sounds absolutely magnifique," Wanda gushed.
"Oh um, I didn't know that. We're going to miss you Wanda," Arnold sadly said. Phoebe's face crumpled at his disappointed expression.
"One term is only four months and I will personally enjoy the time she's away. We might actually have some peace and quiet in the dorm," Keesha remarked before ducking to avoid an eraser Wanda launched in her direction.
"Litterbug," Phoebe sullenly whispered, but her words lacked any actual bite. It wasn't Wanda's fault that Arnold had harbored a one-sided crush on her since elementary school. However, that didn't make Phoebe's heart ache any less.
"So, back to our summer plans-'' Wanda abruptly stopped when the classroom door swung open and bounced off the door stopper.
"Phew, traffic was terrible. Rush hour sucks! I was running late, so my mom had to drive me. All the cars should have just moved aside and let me through first!" Janet announced, waltzing into the classroom and taking a seat at an empty desk in the front row. The class collectively groaned.
"Hi Carlos," she simpered flirtatiously, wiggling her fingers in his direction. Carlos unenthusiastically nodded in her direction and Dorothy Ann clenched her teeth in annoyance. Janet wasn't exactly subtle in her romantic advances. It was a good thing Carlos clearly did not reciprocate her feelings. But it didn't make her attempts any less unnerving.
"Um hellooo? I'm ready for the exam Mr. Caraway. Why aren't you giving me one? It took me half an hour to get here and I want to get this test over with so I never have to come to this crummy school again," Janet whined, impatiently crossing her arms.
Arnold and Janet's elementary schools were both feeder schools into Walkerville High, so they now went to the same high school. Arnold and the rest of the class weren't thrilled about that, especially since they shared a number of AP classes with her.
"One: it's not rush hour yet. Two: the biology exam period is over. And three: you still have to come back here on Monday for our graduation ceremony you self-entitled brat," Dorothy Ann bluntly stated. Carlos covered his mouth to conceal his smirk.
"Ooh boring old Book Bag is upset. I wonder who got her virgin panties in a twist today. Oh right, no one since you don't have a boyfriend or a date to prom next week," Janet crowed, throwing her head back as she laughed at Dorothy Ann's expense.
Dorothy Ann’s face burned in embarrassment and she started angrily making her way towards Janet.
"No roughhousing in the classroom Miss Hudson and that's quite enough Miss Perlstein. I'm afraid Dorothy Ann is correct. You are indeed late for the exam and cannot sit it now," he admonished.
"Do you really want to teach me again next year?" Janet asked, quirking an eyebrow at their teacher.
Mr. Caraway paled and promptly slid an exam booklet onto her desk. "I suppose some exceptions can be made given your dire circ*mstances."
Janet smirked triumphantly at Dorothy Ann, who scowled in response and ran out of the classroom just as the dismissal bell sounded.
"Poor DA," Wanda said sympathetically, resting her elbow on Arnold's shoulder and shooting Janet a death glare. Carlos' face appeared to be an equal mixture of angry and perplexed. Ralphie made a mental note to talk to him later.
"I'll follow her," Phoebe quietly volunteered, brushing in between Arnold and Wanda to exit the classroom.
'Why didn't she just go around us?' Arnold wondered as he watched Phoebe disappear out the door. He caught Tim's eye and shrugged in confusion, but was taken aback when Tim shot him a dirty look and continued packing his school bag. Odd...
"Have a nice weekend, kids. I'll see you all at the graduation ceremony on Monday. It was a pleasure to teach most of you this year," Mr. Caraway smiled. Janet appeared to ignore him, but Tim noticed her briefly stop writing as the rest of the class filed out of the room. Interesting...
'Why was she so late today?' Arnold wondered. His cousin was usually punctual for class. She must be up to something. Arnold suddenly had a bad feeling about tonight.
"Excuse me cuz, where do you think you're going?" Janet's voice boomed from across the room.
"Um, home?" Arnold replied in confusion.
"You're my ride, so you'll go home when I say you can. I'm still writing my exam, so be quiet and wait for me to finish," she ordered. Arnold groaned and returned to his seat.
"That's what you get for toasting with water!" Ralphie shouted from down the hallway.
"I knew I should have stayed home today," Arnold grumbled as he folded his arms beneath his head and settled in for a nap.
