Let's Catch Them Before They Steal Your Books

Two weeks ago, I drag myself out of the torture that is long block English with Mr. Jones to amble over to homeroom in hopes of breakfast. Yet as my fellow A Block denizens arrive in Room 368, breakfast is absent and instead, I find Madeleine Swasey there, having arrived with her six backpacks before me lusciously sucking on strands of her hair.

We share A Block, yet unlike the motley crew of freshmen that suffer through A Block English with the notorious Mr. Jones (whom we continuosly badmouth), Madeleine searches for every opportunity to flaunt her obsequiness in a number of ways, especially by beginning her homework during class. Such a happening did not reveal itself this Tuesday morning, so the oh-so-opportunistic Madeleine must have scoped her options and alas! The homeroom period opened up for "home"work completion.

While our teacher, Ms. Cremin, has at times, scolded Madeleine for her habits, her daughter Agatha happened to be sick, and instead we had some forced campus aide to cover. Nonetheless, Madeleine had forgotten her copy of Catcher in the Rye! So it may be, I happen to share homeroom and English with her, and I never forget my book.

"Jared? Can I have your book to do homework?" she asks.
I find this request to be rather inappropriate, as homework is to be done at home, and Madeleine is not among my favorite people. "Uh, you should have your own book," I reply, shifting in my seat.
"But I don't have it, and I want it to do my homework!" she retorts.
By this time, Sanne had been silently observing our conversation, while Marena looks on beside me. Fortunately for my dignity, Nicole, sitting next to me, is staring off into space, and the rest of my homeroom is cajoling on with Andrea and Hannah doing gawd-knows-what, or sharing mascara with Lydia and Devika.
"Well, you should always have your book with you." I realize I am sounding like a Kindergarten teacher telling a child useful advice.
"But can I just have it for homeroom?" Madeleine continues to wetten her locks of hair, but Sanne's gaze bores down on me (she hates Madeleine, though) as Marena stares wordlessly at me.
Attempting to regain my dignity, I reluctantly reach down into my bag and pull out the book and hand it over three desk to her. Gina is staring at me now.

I turn back to Marena. "Awkward," she mumbles to me.

I don't hate Madeleine as much as most people (i.e., Sanne, etc.), yet I still find her somewhat socially inept and I cannot find her likable when she grovels so disgustingly to Mr. Jones. At least she gave me back the book.

Jar Jar