Civil Hands Unclean

Scene 1: Homeroom - Chemistry

Tony Milligan

"We postponed it from the summer to the fall, but this isn't a spontaneous thing, it was always supposed to happen," Heather explained to the group she gathered.

"I'm surprised your mother agreed to this," Lisa said.

"She didn't want to, but the line was my birthday present and it's my name on everything, so she's letting me."

"Nice of you to support the veterans." I never could figure out how the country was okay with them 'serving' it and then being left homeless or deeply scarred.

"And other elderly. They all need better care and accessible services. Their families just abandon them," Heather said, disheartened.

"But thanks to Heather by Camille Blakely..." Lisa said jokingly.

"I only want to help, and who doesn't love a good fashion show?"

"Can I get a plus one?" Someone asked her.

"No need. Everyone's invited." She looked toward where Leo is sat in the back of the class and gave him a once-over. "Well, almost everyone."

He chuckled but didn't say anything.

Mr. Vogel enters the classroom and closes the door behind him. "Take your seats. Find a partner for today's lab."

We all started moving around, picking people and sitting at their tables.

I sit next to Leo.

"Hey."

"What are you doing?" He asked.

"Oh, do you already have a partner?"

"Aren't you supposed to be on the other side of this?"

"Of what?"

"You're Heather's friend."

"I don't think there needs to be sides."

"You'd be surprised," he laughed, and I followed his sights to Heather who rolled her eyes at me.

I shrug. "What'd you do?"

"This is on me?"

"She's nice until you do something to her, yes?" At least that's how I remember it.

"I'm not gonna take that. She's acting like this because she wants to. That's all her."

"I don't think she likes doing it."

"I think you're wrong."

I shake my head. "...I think you're just saying that."

Leo looks at me, an unreadable expression on his face.

"Who are you doing this for?"

"No one in particular...or everyone. I'm guessing neither of you is enjoying the side eyes and insults. It's a big jump from how you used to look at and speak to each other...and it's awkward for the people around you."

I hate that an end of a relationship means that someone is going to lose friends too. It's as if they have to choose who gets the kids in the divorce.

"You're not gonna make a difference, and she can be pissed off the rest of her life for all I care. I never said I wanted to be her friend."

"When you're both feeling better, you'll regret not getting through this part amicably."

"I feel fine."

"That's good," I said as I put on the safety goggles. "But I think everyone else picked sides and...Heather won, so I'll keep being your lab partner."

Scene 2: Chester High

Zach Teeling

"Why are you getting dressed out in the open?" I furrowed my eyebrows when he started taking his shoes off.

"The stalls are dirty," Oliver said, nonchalantly, and kept removing stuff.

"What if someone walks in?"

"Make sure they don't."

"How am I supposed to do that?"

"Just keep watch and let me know." He pushed me out of the door.

"Don't forget you're wearing eyeliner," I said before it closed.

He dresses differently at school than he does at home. He wants his parents to think he's an innocent chess nerd who only goes out for extracurriculars and to support Lucas' band.

It helps.

My mom knows I'm a geek, so she doesn't worry as much as she wants me to think she does.

I hear voices and impending footsteps coming from somewhere close. I hope they're not coming toward me.

And when I hear the sound of him laughing,

I pray they're not coming toward me.

Why can I identify you by laugh alone? What is wrong with me?

The group of guys turn the corner and I look him right in the eye.

Fuck fuck fuck fuck. I'm going to throw up.

Stupid football practice or tryouts or whatever you do that makes you stay at school as long as I do.

I keep my head down to avoid eye contact with anyone, especially Evan, but one of his friends starts walking up to the bathroom door.

"It's actually...at capacity," I said, stupidly. "The one by the computer lab is free though, and much nicer. I've been talking to the principal about getting those little dishes with the marbles in-" he walks away while I'm still talking. "You don't care? Okay."

They talk at a lower volume while they migrate to another part of the school. I bet some of the muttering is about me...

Oliver peaks his head out of the door to see who was here. He came out just in time, the light hit them perfectly right before they disappeared behind the walls, it's like the sun was reminding us that for 4 years, jocks are Gods.

Assholes.

God's asshole.

"Damn, Evan Andrews is hot. Like detrimental to the earth hot," Oliver sighed, happily.

"It's— he was at football practice, so, yeah he's sweating."

"I might have to try out."

"Shut up."

"Why would you let him get away?"

"Would you hurry up so we can leave?" I try to push him back into the bathroom because there's no way he's wearing the leather vest home.

"Can we take him with us?"

"No, we can't."

"Evan-" Oliver calls out before I cover his mouth. "Ev-" he fought me off. "Evan!"

My eyes widen and I stare in the direction he left in. "If he comes back around that corner, you're on your own."

"Good. I didn't want to compete with you anyway."

Scene 3: Outside of Addington High

Leo Rylin

Elle kisses me, my back against the bricks.

When she pulls away, she brings the cigarette in her hand to my lips, watching me inhale and letting me blow the smoke out toward her to share the drag.

"We should crash this bullshit fashion show." She kicks dirt on the flyer that fell on the ground.

"Why?"

"Because it's bullshit," she said in contempt. "It's for charity but anyone who would actually need the money can't come. Oh, let's save the poor children. And then scream and call the cops when they see one."

"Mhm, but you're doing it for revenge."

"Okay?"

"It's not a good idea. You have more to lose if you get in trouble."

Her eyes narrowed at me. "Are you just trying to protect her little party?"

"No, I fucking hate those things. I'm protecting you."

"Cute," she sneered. "Think about how much money they give away to try to save what's left of their souls."

"I have thought about it."

"Raising money for the hungry and homeless while wearing Chanel necklaces and carrying Prada bags."

"I know. It's not a serious thing, they just do it for fun, but as long as the money is going to where it should."

"They probably keep it."

"If you want to crash something, wait until a dance comes up. I'm pretty sure it's crashing if neither of us buys a ticket."

Elle scoffed. "I'm not going to a dance here."

"They're not that bad."

"How do you even dress for one of these things?"

"Wear whatever you want."

"No, fuck this place. We can go anywhere else."

"We're graduating from here," I said through laughter.

"Okay, school pride. Are you going for a class superlative too?"

"Alright. Forget I said anything."

"You went to the dances last year?"

"A few."

"With your ex-girlfriend who never had to worry about what to wear, or ticket prices, or if one of these bitches would throw a drink on her?"

"I get it. We won't go. I just wanted to know what you thought about it."

"You're half one of them and half one of us."

"What does that even mean?"

"I'll have to fix you, you central." She shoved me against the bricks again.

"Don't call me that."

Scene 4: Lucky Market & Heroes

Matt Jensen

"Stop messing around," Tommy said while watching me put every topping on my sub.

"But look at this," I smile at the stacked sandwich.

"You gonna pay for that?"

"You want me to hang out here for free?"

He got out of jail at the end of last month for good behavior. Part of his parole meant getting a job, and his parole officer knew this place took its chances on people with records.

"You're supposed to be catching me up. Talk to me. How's school?"

"It's not school. It just started."

"You got a girlfriend yet?"

"No."

"Why not?" He said like it was a choice I was making. Tommy used to have a new girlfriend every two weeks.

"The girl I like already has a guy."

"So," he shrugged.

"Nah, I'm friends with him."

"Does he know?"

"Why would I tell him that?"

"Why would you eye fuck his girl?"

"I'm not- it's not like that. You'd like her too. She's cool, she smokes just as much weed as me, she likes slasher movies, and concerts and she's funny. She's cool."

"She's you."

"She's not me. She's smarter than me and looks way better too."

"That's not hard," he snickered.

"Look who's talking."

"She'd be grossed out watching you eat that sandwich."

"No, she wouldn't."

"I am," Tommy's face twisted in disgust. "And I'm not paying for whatever that is."

"Fine, I'll pay— but you should get me a job here."

"No, why would you want one?"

"Subs and money, I'll get paid for hanging out with you."

"Get a better job. The pay sucks, and they'll probably think we're casing the joint if we work together."

"Maybe we are," I joked.

"You better stay out of trouble, Matt. I know you got into your shit with Spence, but if I see you even start to get out of line again, I'll kick your ass. Once you go in, it's like you never come out, people will always treat you like you're still in the jumpsuit."

"I hear you..."

"And the only girls who want to date an ex-convict are 20-year-olds who want a story to tell when they're 30 with kids."

"That bothers you?" I said skeptically. He seems plenty happy when he gets home late at night.

"I never said it bothered me, but I'm guessing your girl doesn't fit the description."

"Not my girl. My friend's girl."