The Third Person

            “I chose the prompt about what I'm going to do when the world ends,” Matt said loudly, grinning around at his classmates. It was second period English and a majority of the students were beginning to show signs of consciousness. “It goes like this: When the world ends I'm not going to waste my time being all sad. I'm going to rejoice. It will mean no more school. Not that I won't miss English class, because I will.

            “As soon as the emergency broadcast system is activated on TV I'm going to take my brother's truck – it's really big – and I'm going to drive to the nearest gas station. My friend Jean is gonna meet me there with these big oil drums that he's got hidden away in his garage and we'll run over anyone who tries to stop us. Then we're going to swing by my girlfriend's house and she'll have all the food ready so we can just take off and ditch this place.”

            “Yes, very nice,” Mr. Talbeth broke in. “I think we get the picture.”

            “It get's better,” Matt shrugged. “We put chains with spikes on them on the wheels and go around running over zombies.”

            “I'm sure it's quite a stimulating story. Next.”

            Abby took a deep breath and waited for the cat calls and clapping to finish. She hated public speaking, wanted nothing to do with it. Ever. But she also prided herself at being able to perform tolerably well. Besides, this was her sophomore English class. What could they do?

            Straightening the skirt of her black dress, she moved to the front of the room where a podium awaited her. Clearing her throat, she situated the papers she held and waited. Slowly, her classmates fell silent. The teacher looked up over her glasses, waiting.

            “The prompt I did,” she said in a shaky voice. “Was to describe myself in third person, as though I was a character in a book.”

            With a deep breath, she strengthened her stance, wincing as the soles of her combat boots squeaked on the laminate tiles.

            “I am observant,” she began. Matt had reached his seat and purposefully knocked Jean's notebook onto the floor. Which resulted in a friendly and muted competition of notebook wars to take place. “I see the little things that no one else does.”

            “It's supposed to be in third person,” Lily exclaimed, shooting her hand into the air but not bothering to wait for the teacher's approval. Her eyes narrowed maliciously at Abby and she gave a small smirk.

            “Just keep reading,” the teacher sighed.

            “She's of medium height,” Abby continued, switching all of the first person words as she read. It took more concentration. Maybe that would make it easier to ignore her classmates' attention. “Her hair is normally brunette with natural highlights of gold and red. She has hazel eyes and usually wears contacts.”

            A glance up at the room showed that Jean was now rolling his eyes, slumping back into his seat and attempting to ignore his best friend.

            “She's rated as perfectly healthy on the BMI index and—.”

            “Awkward wording,” Lily broke in.

            “She's well proportioned.”

            Lily snorted and rolled her eyes.

            “She has enough meat on her bones to look like a woman,” Abby snapped, words full of venomous implications as she glared at her nemesis. “Unlike the stick thin girls walking the halls of school today.”

            “That is enough, Lily,” the teacher said. “Continue Abby.”

            “Um, I—she dislikes sports of any kind and hates gym class, preferring instead to read or write. She doesn't believe in ignoring homework, and this, combined with her adequate mind keep her grades in the A-range.”

            Lily yawned widely, looking at the clock above Abby's head. What she saw there seemed to give her hope, for she straightened up and started shuffling her things into order.

            “And, apparently, she's out of time,” Abby finished.

            “Thank you, Abby,” the teacher said, but he was cut off halfway through by the ringing of the bell. “We'll start tomorrow off with Jean.”

            Fighting against the sudden rush of students for the door, Abby grabbed at her things, trying to wrap her arms around the bundle of books and folders. She hated being late, and if she didn't hurry to her locker, she would be.

            “Hey,” a voice said, and she looked up in surprise, right into the friendly face of Jean. “Um, I'm sorry about Lily. Sometimes... I think she's just having a bad week. Y'know, hasn't gotten that acceptance letter she wanted or something.”

            “She's a sophomore,” Abby said blankly. “What's she applying to?”

            Jean shrugged, a slight laugh rising to his lips.

            “Thanks, though,” she sighed. There was a shout in the hallway before she could continue, and they both glanced up. “What is your prompt, then?”

            “Oh,” he said, leading the way to the door. “Um, the most influential person in my life. I'm doing my brother.”

            “You have an older brother?”

            “Uh, younger,” and then he had vanished into the crowded hallway.

            Abby blinked after him, a slight frown creasing her forehead, before glancing at her watch. With a gasp that ended in a choke, she took off for her locker, messenger bag slamming against her hip.