fandomhigh | Dealing With Stupid People [Tuesday, July 10, 2nd period]

Josh was still not exactly comfortable with the whole "being outside" thing as he perched on a picnic bench and smiled at the students as they assembled. In deference to the ridiculously hot weather, he was wearing short sleeves and khakis. No tie. Scary, no?

"Okay, one of the most annoying things you will encounter in your life will be other people," he began, rolling his eyes. "Most of us -- in my universe, anyway, some of you might have other experiences -- can't kill them by using our brains, so we have to come up with different coping methods. We'll get to the more advanced techniques -- sarcasm, the strategic use of an eye roll -- later, but today we'll start out with something that gives you a lot of chance to practice before you send out the final product."

He pulled out a sheaf of papers and dropped it onto the table. "Writing back to stupid people!" he said triumphantly. "In this exercise you need to reply to these obviously deranged letters in a polite way without asking if they've thought to seek professional help for their delusions. There are five different letters so pair up with a partner -- it's better to double check your language against someone else, at least at the beginning -- and write back to these completely insane people."

Josh grinned. "Questions? Problems? I don't really care, but ask anyway."

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Lana nodded. "That's a good sign. Don't ever let anyone talk you into something you're not ready for."

She blushed. "Yeah, Johnny's been pretty cool about that."

"Johnny? Johnny Storm?" Lana wasn't really sure how to respond to that. He was a really great guy, but for an inexperienced girl... She'd heard rumors about him and Ronan and after seeing him with Jack yesterday...

Savannah nodded. "Yeah. Johnny Storm. You know him?" She grinned. "Of course you know him. You're beautiful so you have to."

Lana blushed. "I don't think it has anything to do with how I look. He's sort of... keeping an eye on me while my boyfriend's out of town. Jim asked him to."

Savannah nodded. "Johnny's a very nice guy... hot as hell and knows it... but he's a nice guy."

"He is," Lana agreed. "Just a little too... big on playing the field - both sides of the field - for him to be someone I could be really interested in. If I was free, which of course I'm not."

"But really sweet," she added.

Savannah's eyes softened and may have had a touch of sadness in them. "Yeah. He's not ready to be in an exclusive relationship, which I guess is understandable."

"A lot of people aren't," Lana said quietly. "Just... if you don't have much experience... someone who just wants to play might not be the best choice for a first relationship."

She made a face. "Not that it's any of my business."

"I know... and my cousin and a few friends want to hurt jhim, but he's been completely honest with me and I know what's going on." She smiled. "I don't mind, Lana. Besides, my cousin hangs out a lot with your best friend. She talks about what a great person you are a lot. Of course, Eve is also trying to find a different guy to take me out on a date, too."

Lana looked a little surprised. "I wouldn't want to hurt him. It's really not about him at all. He's upfront and clear about things and I respect that. It's just... I can tell you from personal experience that it's really easy to end up falling for someone even when you don't mean to and tell yourself it's not a good idea."

She sighed. "Especially when it's your first... everything. It can just make everything so hard. You're hurting and you want more than they can give and... It's just a mess. I'd hate to see that happen to you - to anyone really."

Savannah bit her lip. "I... I know. I don't think I'm ready for a few things just yet... but I do know that if I'm really upset or hurting, Johnny would be there to hold me if I needed him to. And if he doesn't have time to be there for me, there are a few friends I've made so far while I'm here."

She gave Lana a shy smile. "I'm only fifteen, Lana, and even though I feel a lot older sometimes... I hardly think Eve would let me even think about doing anything with anyone... girl or guy."

Lana nodded. "You can always come to me, too," she said seriously. "And yes, at 15, you're much better off waiting. Eve's smart."

She smiled at her. "And I'm guessing you are too."

Savannah smiled. "I really appreciate that Lana. Could you do me a favor?"

"Of course," Lana said. "What can I do for you?"

"Get Phoebe to understand that Johnny really isn't a bad guy? Eve may have her feeling a little protective and growly?"

Lana smiled. "I think the fact that he's taking such good care of me this week should help her to see that. But I can't blame her for being a little growly and protective. I'm sure I'd be the same way. As I said, more because of you than him."

"You'd get protective of me?"

"Sure, why not?"

Savannah smiled at her. "That's... that's a nice thought, actually. Makes me feel a little better about the whole lack of my usual people from home being around."

"Most people here are really nice," Lana said with a smile.

Dealing With Stupid People [Tuesday, July 10, 2nd period]

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