Vox Mentis

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You should ask Jane what the rules are between inter-student relationships.

I'll bring this into it later - I haven't forgotten about it.

If conversation does happen, see if you can ask him what they mean by "practice."

You already know what practicing means, as Jane had hammered it into you before classes: trying to persuade another student. Maybe that's already what you're doing to this boy, unconsciously. It's nothing you're going to get in trouble for though. The fact is, if you pay attention, people try to persuade each other all the time. It's all they do.

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HELLA UPDATE <3

Don't be too thirsty, now. He's cute, but he's also like, at least a grade above you in the school of getting people to do what you want.

That being said, let's try to make a friend. Why not sit down at the same table tomorrow? Just bring your book and your shake. Maybe conversation will happen; don't stress if it doesn't.

I say: STUDY BUDDIES!

The next day you head for your sunny spot, milkshake in hand. You round the corner and his computer is closed. He smiles, and gestures for you to sit, and you do.

~

His name is Jeremy Lantern. He had wanted to be a zookeeper. His family had a tiny house in Brooklyn but his mother rescued animals: rabbits and mice and ducks and dogs and two chickens. One of the chickens has been insane. It ran in circles, making noises like it was drowning. His parents had wanted to get rid of it, but Jeremy pleaded for mercy. He thought he could cure it. He imagined this chicken becoming his friend, and people saying, "Jeremy's the only one who can go near that chicken." But this never happened. One day the chicken attacked him, pecking his face, and his father wrung its neck. That's how he got the small scar near his left eye, and decided against zoology.

He asks you what your story is. What do you tell him?