An Awkward Moment in US Government Class

Tanya's first class was US Government. She arrived just as the class starting bell chimed, giving her little opportunity to interact with her classmates. This was a relief because this class included Chad, Whitney, Bethany, Shelly, Fuyoko, Kyle, and Josh. Her entrance through the door was greeted by icy cold stares from Whitney's crew, small smiles from Shelly and Fuyoko, a typically confused look from Chad, and eager grins from Josh and Kyle. The tension was thick from the cheerleader side of the room. It almost felt like it tightened when Tanya took her usual seat next to Whitney.

Tanya, of course, was still somewhat oblivious to the tumult she was causing amongst the seniors in the school. Whitney leans in and whispers as the teacher starts lecturing, "We need to talk." Tanya immediately turns to face Whitney and roars, "Okay, what about?" Whitney is surprised by the sudden attention as Tanya ignores the start of class, but she's so angry she can't help but engage. In a hushed hiss, she fires back, "I'm sick of your shit, Wegner. I want to know what you're planning this year. Why are you fucking with me?"

Going into the school year, she had a two-fold plan. The first part was undermining Whitney so Chad would take her to the prom. The second part was to select her routine for the cheerleader state championships. She felt like she was doing a shabby job at implementing that plan because her priorities surprisingly changed over the last week. However, she can't help but answer, thanks to the curse. "Well, originally, I was going to get Chad to..." Before continuing, Ms. Greene raps a ruler on Tanya's desk. The class goes, "oooooo."

"Quiet. Tanya. Whitney. Is there something more important to talk about than the mechanics of the Senate?"

Tanya replies, "Whitney wants to know why I'm fucking with her." The whole class breaks out in laughter.

Ms. Greene is shocked by the language. "Ms. Wegner, I don't care if Whitney told you she had a heart attack and needed help. This is my class. When that bell rings, the focus is on me."

Whitney sees an opportunity to get Tanya into more significant trouble. "Ms. Greene, she's the one who interrupted. I only told her to stop, well, f'n with me, so she'd stop talking."

Ms. Greene throws up her hands and groans with exasperation. She looks at that ceiling. Her voice oozes with drama. "Every year. Every year these students think I was born yesterday. Every year for 16 years. It's the same thing. No more, no more." Many students look at one another, wondering if Ms. Greene is cracking. "Whitney, I clearly heard your attempts at whispering. If the two of you feel like talking is so important on MY time - you can also do it in my room, after school, on YOUR time."

"Wait," Whitney whimpers, "do you mean detention?"

"Exactly."

"We have cheerleading after school," Tanya says.

Ms. Greene turns to Shelly. "You're a cheerleader, right? Will you be able to practice without Tanya and Whiney?"

Shelly looks at Tanya. Then at Whitney. Then back at Tanya. Finally, she looks up at Ms. Greene, her brow furrowed. "Y-yes, Ms. Greene, there are things we can do without them." For the first time in two weeks, Whitney and Tanya have something in common: they both give Shelly eye daggers. Shelly mouths "sorry" and shrugs.

"Good. I'll see you two after school so you can finish this very important conversation. Now, both of you, silence for the rest of the class unless I call on you. Understood?" Both of the girls nod. Whitney fumes.

The rest of the class proceeds without incident.