text: Sarah was by the lockers when Jordan came to greet her. “Hey,” Jordan said, “you’re the new girl. Sarah, right?” “Yeah,” Sarah said, smiling, “nice to meet you.” “So I know we don’t know each other well, but I couldn’t help but notice that you were sitting with Billy at lunch.” “Yeah, I didn’t have anywhere else to sit. I asked him if it was cool if I could sit next to him, and he said yes. He seems like a cool guy.” “About that. Word of advice: don’t hang out with Billy.” Sarah knitted her brows. “Why? What’s wrong with Billy?” “He’s a freak.” Sarah, taken aback by the straightforwardness, asked, “What makes you say that?” Jordan leaned in and whispered, “He’s a Republican.” “Oh,” Sarah said, relieved that it wasn’t something serious. “Well, I’m a Democrat personally, but I don’t think him being a Republican makes him-” “That’s not all! He also likes weird things.” “Weird things?” Sarah said, concerned again. “Like...” “Fantasy novels.” “Fantasy novels?” Sarah said, deadpan. “Yeah, he’s always reading books about dragons and elves!” Sarah nodded, not really listening anymore. “I appreciate you trying to warn me, but I don’t think any of these things makes Billy a ‘freak.’ I have to go, so-” As she turned to leave, Jordan said, “But you haven’t even heard the worst part yet.” “Worst part?” “The thing he does with his pet dog.” Sarah, deciding to give her one more chance, waited for Jordan’s explanation. “You see,” Jordan said, “he likes to dress his dog up in little sweaters, and-” “Alright,” Sarah interrupted, “this is ridiculous! Billy is a perfectly nice guy. I really don’t understand why you think he’s a freak, but I’m not going to stop hanging out with him, because of his love for cute animals or his politics.” “Hey, Sarah!” Jordan jumped, and standing behind her was Billy himself. He was a skinny teenager that wore big glasses and a t-shirt with a fire-breathing dragon on it. He had a goofy smile, unaware that he had been the topic of the conversation. “Hi, Billy,” Sarah said, smiling, “how are you?” “Fine,” Billy replied. Billy readjusted his glasses and said nervously, “I was wondering if you’d like to hang out at my place. I have this board game I bought and I have no one else to play it with, so-” “I would love to,” Sarah said. Billy and Sarah walked away together, and Jordan shook her head in disapproval. The next day, Sarah was at the lockers again and looked troubled. Jordan walked up to her and patted her on the back. “Hey,” Jordan said, “you okay?” Sarah nodded, her eyes unfocused. “You were right,” she said. “About Billy being a freak.” “Yeah, sorry I couldn’t dissuade you before you learned the hard way.” Sarah, shaking, said, “I just wished you warned me about the furry porn and him being a Nazi first.