The Boys At School: A 501 Hotties Story By Marlowe Ryan
“BE AGGRESSIVE, B-E AGGRESSIVE!” Paloma Mebarak sat in the nurse’s office, kicking her one unbandaged leg and scheming on how to get a blue Gatorade. Through the thin walls, she could hear the remaining cheerleaders of Righteous Hand Elementary trying to hype themselves up after a failed pyramid sent her and three other girls tumbling. They had been told not to attempt one, but they saw the high school cheerleaders do it, and, more than anything, they wanted to be like the high school girls. Of course, Paloma was no stranger to the nurse’s office. Between the neverending games of Caveman and feigning illness whenever she realized she forgot her homework, Nurse Gracie told her she was going to put a poster of her on the wall, telling teachers not to send her here anymore. “How do I know you’re not just here for the candy?” she would tease every time, but Paloma’s anxiety could mimic a fever every time she needed it to...at least she thought. This time, though, Gracie knew it was serious. As she was rushing around, tending to four on-and-off crying children, two more came barreling in. She could hear Gracie address them: “Nicholas, Lynette, what on earth happened to you two?” Paloma could feel sweat on her forehead. Nicholas, her boyfriend, was with Lynette–Lynette with the stupid last name that rhymes with her first name Lynette? What is that jerk doing with her boyfriend? “Caveman, again,” a teacher explained. “I swear, we’re gonna have to ban that game.” Paloma was so proud of herself for not crying after scraping her knee, but now she was afraid her streak was over. The one day she decides to skip the game so she could practice this freaking pyramid, and Lynette snatches her man up? “I’ll take care of them, Luanne; just do me a favor and try to prevent any more casualties out there, okay? My beds are full. I may have to put poor Lynette in a crib from daycare at this rate.” At this, Paloma stifled a giggle. She knew Gracie would have her back, that she could sense that Lynette was trouble, too. The trio started walking back to where Paloma could see them, though, and she could see the couple holding hands. “Hey, Paloma,” Nick shouted, swinging Lynette’s arm wildly as he did. “Were you on top of the pyramid? That’s so awesome!” “No, I wasn’t. Nurse Gracie, can I talk to you?” 308
