"Queens don't keep harems, kings do. It's an unfortunate historical artifact, but there it is. And Martin is such a common name, I think I'll be called Queen Lydia. Breeds familiarity."

"Breeds contempt."

"A little of column A...let them eat cake, I say. It was nice meeting you, Ade. Enjoy whatever class you have that's not with me."

"I don't think I heard what your lofty aspirations for non-you-and-Jackson people are," he remarks, instead of mentioning how hot ambition is. "I'll have to catch you later so you can tell me."

And off he goes with Danny!

"So that was Lydia. Lucky you, since you have Jackson next."

"Guess I'm meeting everyone today." Pause. "Uh, is Jackson Lydia's boyfriend, I don't think it actually came up."

"Yeah, they're sort of the alpha couple around here."

Walk walk walk.

...he will not mention the thing Lydia said about Jackson's sexuality even though it conflicts with what Danny said about Jackson's sexuality. Therein lies madness.

"Guess I'm getting to meet all the popular people today."

"Well, it helps that Lydia decides who's popular around here. If it were up to me, lacrosse wouldn't be the most popular sport here, but Lydia basically arranged it."

They arrive.

"Good luck, you'll probably need it."

Ade decides not to comment on the circularity of that explanation.

"Thanks."

"That one's Jackson, in case you're really itching to win popular kid bingo." 

He points to a student leaning back in his chair. 

It's vaguely provocative, in a distinctly unappealing way. 

"I'm not itching, no, but I am pretty curious."

He doesn't, actually, have a lot of experience liking the popular kids, but he figures, hey, why not.

Well, it is the fourth of the day. Maybe the ones around here aren't so bad?

The seat next to him is open.

Maybe so!

He plops down onto that seat. "'Lo."

"Hi. Are you lost?"

"No, I'm new. Adedayo, but Ade's fine."

"Ade. So why are you taking psychology?"

"I like people, like understanding how they work, like economics-especially-behavioral, like to have a rounded understanding of things, seemed like it made sense. How about you?"

"Mostly the same. I'm taking econ too. Regular econ, since my friend is in it. I'll take the AP test anyway, easy to get books to learn from." 

"Your friend being Danny or someone else?"

"Danny. You've met him already? You work fast." 

"He was the one who showed me around to classes and stuff, and he mentioned being your friend, yeah."

"I hope he didn't say anything too scandalous." 

"I don't think he said anything that could be reasonably described as that, no."