"Janet's feet stink."
I overheard this one afternoon in the University's 'Artistic' Club- basically a room where the freaks and geeks who indulged in any sort of creative endeavor could kill time in between classes.
It was a small room, more so when a bunch of the club members convened there, with a rickety old couch and cushions all over the floor for those too late or too scared to grab a seat on the former. The people who spent time there were an eclectic but fun bunch, and I found them to be pretty entertaining as well. It also helped that the ratio was almost five to one where women and men were concerned.
So it was kind of strange to hear something like that come up in a conversation. Granted, it was exactly said out loud for everyone to hear, but it was odd to hear the two ladies talking discussing something as random as their fellow club member's foot odor.
Janet had been part of the club long before I'd joined, a year older than me, and kept to herself most of the time. She was cute- not exactly goth but pale with black hair, so the look was definitely there. Throughout the semester, whenever I saw her she always seemed to be wearing a hoodie, as well as a pair of chunky heeled knee-high leather boots that had certainly seen better days.
I noticed that, mostly due to the fact that I had a bit of a fetish for women in boots. That's where the goth comparison came from actually- when I was in high school we had a few girls who were into that subculture, and I enjoyed glancing at their boots wherever I had the chance.
So you could say that while Janet and I hadn't really spoken more than a few words to one another since the semester had started, I was certainly aware of her.
That said, I couldn't understand why the girls were discussing Janet's feet, nor why it mattered. With my headphones on but my music off, I listened for a little longer out of curiosity.
"Oh, I know. I tried to warn Scott about it last month but he didn't listen."
"Well, that explains a few things."
I didn't know Scott but having only been in the club a month that was to be expected. I didn't know what things were being explained, nor would I as the girls moved their conversation out of the room and left me alone to ponder the oddity of it all.
It didn't make much sense, seeing as no one ever really took their shoes off in the club room, and, as far I knew, no one had complained about any unwanted scents during any of the meetings I'd attended. The reason for their conversation was beyond me, and it was very strange.
But I didn't realize how strange. Not until a few weeks later.
My last class of the day had been canceled and, rather than head straight home, I decided to go hang around the club room for a little. I figured maybe one of my friends would be around, and if not then I could get some reading done in silence.