Shima92 #1 Not Engaged

Professor Patel is handing back homework from his desk. Ally, Devany, Jesse, Janelle, Karen and Ben are sitting at their desks, getting situated for the upcoming class lecture on polynomials. Tamela enters the classroom and sits down.

“Looks like the Tamster Hamster decided to show up!” announced Ben.

“What did you call me?” asked Tamela.

“I called you the Tamster Hamster. I thought it might be a good nickname in my head, but as I said it, I realized…” Ben paused as he looked at Tamela’s left hand. “…where’s your ring Tamela?” He exclaimed.

“What?” asked Tamela, surprised at the sudden change of topic.

“You’re not wearing your engagement ring!” said Ben.

“I’m not engaged” said Tamela.

“But I’ve seen you wear an engagement ring” said Ben.

“Oh, that ring is a fake” Tamela responded.

“Why did your guy buy you a fake engagement ring?” asked Ben.

“Devany,” Tamela said while turning towards her friend, “can you deal with Ben for me today? My History Professor accused me of giving off negative vibes.”

“What’s going on Ben?” Devany asked her frazzled looking classmate.

“Tamela isn’t wearing her ‘fake’ engagement ring” said Ben. Devany took a deep breath as she gathered her thoughts.

“Ben,” Devany began, “girls often times wear fake rings if they don’t feel like being bothered by guys. I’ve got a ring at home that I sometimes wear as well.”

“I’ve got one too” said Jesse. Ben spent several moments digesting what he had just learned.

“That’s freakin brilliant! I never thought that girls would do that sort of thing.” Ben was absolutely enamored. Ben began to squint his eyes, thinking a bit further. Ally and Janelle were also paying attention to the conversation. Karen was busy watching a video on her phone while listening with her earbuds. Then Ben asked them, “Do the rest of you guys have fake rings as well?” Ben first focused on Ally.

“Yes Ben” replied Ally. Ben pointed at Janelle.

“Yeah, me too” said Janelle. Karen was still focused on her phone. Ben obnoxiously waved his hands to get Karen’s attention. Karen removed her earbuds and set her phone down. She gave Ben a wary look.

“Yes Ben?” she asked cautiously.

“Do you have a fake engagement ring too?” asked Ben. Karen slowly narrowed her eyes as she took in the question.

“I have ‘a’ ring,” she responded, “but I don’t usually wear it.”

“Is it a fake engagement ring?” asked Ben.

“No” said Karen.

“Is it real?” asked Ben.

“Yes Ben,” said Karen, “it’s real.”

“Why don’t you wear it then?” Ben looked confused as he asked the question.

“I don’t want my parents to see it” she said. Ben sat quiet for about five seconds before a huge smile broke across his face.

“Did taco guy give you the ring?” Ben asked with his eyes wide.

“Oh my gosh,” said Karen while slightly annoyed, “don’t call him taco guy!”

“Okay,” said Ben, “did the ‘dude who sits in the J-Store parking lot at night with you guy' give you a ring?” Karen leveled an exasperated gaze at Ben.

“Yes Ben,” she said, “he gave me a ring.”

“Holy crap!” said Ben as his jaw dropped. “You have a ring from taco guy that your parents don’t know about! That’s awesome!” A question flashed across Ben’s face. “Did he give it to you that night in the J-Store parking lot?”

“No,” replied Karen, “I’ve had it a little over three years now.”

“Three years is a long time” said Devany. She noticed that Ben was packing up his backpack. She was about to ask Ben what he was doing, but Jesse beat her to it.

“Are you leaving Ben?” Jesse asked.

“Yeah” said Ben as he put his math book in his bag.

“Why are you leaving?” asked Devany.

“I came to school to learn stuff today,” said Ben, “and I’ve learned a lot of stuff just now, so I’m leavin.”

“Why don’t you stay here and learn about polynomials?”

“I don’t feel like it,” said Ben as he stood up with his backpack. “One could say, much like Tamela, I don’t feel like being ‘engaged’ today.”

“Oh, good lord,” said Devany. Ben began to leave the classroom. Just as he was walking through the door, he looked over his shoulder at Karen.

“Tell taco guy I said congrats. Bye guys!” The door slammed shut behind Ben.

“Oh my gosh,” said Karen. Professor Patel began his lecture on polynomials as all of his students gradually became more interested with their phones.

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Story by Tom Klingenfuss