Read Online This Girl Is Different by J. J. Johnson - Free Book Online

It’s the most relaxing
thing in the world. It’s her way of letting me know she’s
listening, that she wants to hear more about my life,
my thoughts.
    “It was weird, school. Problematic.”
    “Par exemple?”
    I sigh. “Several. For one thing, there’s our gym
teacher, Ms. Gliss.”
    She snorts. “The one from the detention form?”
    “That’s the one. You wouldn’t believe the way she
took my phone. Just grabbed it right out of my hand.
She acts like because she’s a teacher and I’m a student,
I have no rights at all and she can do whatever she
wants. With impunity.”
    “Typical,” she harrumphs. “You said there were several
things?”
    “Well, it’s not as overt, but she’s also obsessed with
fitness. I know she’s a gym teacher, but the way she
looked at the heavier girls? Her lecture about body
mass index seemed more about appearance and being
thin than it was about being healthy.”
    Martha keeps braiding. “And this surprises you?”
    “I just couldn’t believe how blatant she was. I’m surprised
she didn’t whip out a scale and weigh everyone.”
    “So do something. Expose her. Write something,
publish it somewhere. That’s why you’re there, isn’t it?”
    “Yeah.” I shrug. “I don’t know. There’s probably a
student newspaper.”
    Martha tugs my hair to tell me she’s unhappy with
my blasé attitude.
    “I’m just tired, Martha.”
    “Biding your time.”
    “Sure.” If that’s what she wants to call it. Right now
I’d just call it exhausted.
    “Biding your time until you get it on with Rajas.”
    I swat her. “Martha! Boundaries, woman! You are
my
mother
.”
    “You know I’m kidding, my love. And as your
mother
, I am required to advise you not to get it on
until—”
    “I know, I know: wait until I’m good and ready.”
    “Wait until you’re good and ready, and then wait
some more just to be sure.” Martha smiles into her
wineglass. I close my eyes and lose myself in daydreams
about Rajas, picking up right where I left off.

7
    I really don’t think life is about the I-could-have-beens. Life is only about the I-tried-to-do. I don’t mind the failure but I can’t imagine that I’d forgive myself if I didn’t try.
    —N IKKI G IOVANNI, POET AND ACTIVIST, B. 1943
    To: [email protected]
    From: [email protected]
    Re: for publication in the student newspaper
    To the editor,
    I am writing about injustice. It is occurring
right now, every day, at this school. I’ve
only been here a few weeks and yet it is clear
to me there is an appalling lack of civil liberties
for students. Not to mention a gross
disparity between the rights of faculty and the
rights of students, and an unsustainable,
inhospitable environment.
    First, let’s talk about the crazy lack of
civil liberties. Example: Why can’t students
use our phones for actual phone calls? Sure, it
would be disruptive in class time but what’s
the problem with calls during lunch or free
periods? It doesn’t make sense (and discriminates
against students who can’t afford smartphones).
Also, why can’t we have lunch or free
time outside? It is a scientific fact that, due
to lack of exposure to sunlight, three quarters
of teens and adults in the U.S. have a vitamin
D deficiency, a problem that can lead to cancer,
diabetes, and bone and heart disease.*
Let’s combat this problem by going outside! And
those are just two examples out of the multitude
that happen all the time.
    As for the disparity between teachers and
students, I could go on and on but I’ll stick
to one example. The bathrooms. Ever been in a
faculty bathroom? They are a veritable breath
of fresh air compared to our facilities! I
mean, just consider the student bathrooms.
First there’s the reek of cigarette smoke and
rancid pee. Then there is never any toilet
paper. Never! And even with four stalls,
there’s only ever one garbage can. Which is
next to the exit. Why, a reasonable person
might ask, is it positioned