Derek accompanied Maz to her locker, then hurried to his next class, knowing he’d get lost in the process. After several wrong turns, he skidded through the door seconds before the bell rang. Sliding into his chair, he paid attention long enough to understand he was in science before looking out the window and daydreaming about gallant knights and damsels in distress.
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Maz crept down the hallway after her English class, careful not to draw any attention to herself from the hordes of glossy, busty cheerleaders, sweaty jocks, and looming students that lined the halls, leaning on lockers and blocking the halls with impromtu makeout sessions. She slunk into history, taking her usual spot in the back corner. Pulling out her ever-present book, she buried her nose in the story until class started.
“That must be a really good book,” came a voice to her left. Maz jumped and turned to face the speaker with worry plastered all over her pale features.
“Woah, it’s just me! I’m not an axe murderer,” Derek said incredulously. He silently wondered how often people with malicious intentions broke her away from far away lands.
Maz breathed a sigh of relief. ”I didn’t think I’d have any classes with you.” Seeing his quizzical look, she added resignedly, “It’s just not my luck.”
Derek opened his mouth to reply when a tall, young teacher walked in. He sat down at his desk, opened up a slideshow on the projector hooked up to his computer, and pulled out a clicker. Everyone scrambled to grab their books and copy down the notes on the screen. The students transcribed notes about the Civil War for about half an hour, the teacher not offering a single word. When he reached the end of the presentation, he clicked off the projector, turned to a stack of papers, and passed them out to the class. He pulled up the projector screen, revealing, “Partner Work - Due Monday” written on the whiteboard. Maz started to panic before realizing Derek was moving his desk to face hers. He grinned.
“Saved you from a lonely fate, I see.”
“You need to be in all my classes. Now,” she beamed back. Derek was so caught up in her rare smile that he almost missed her say, “I need a friend more than anything!” His heart sank a bit at this, but he still grinned. “Friends” was better than nothing. Right?
YOU ARE READING
Out of the Loop
Teen FictionMaz Reynolds has always been an outsider at her school. She's gone through everything from stolen gym clothes to being stuffed in a locker. Even when a new kid befriends her despite all the social norms, she still feels like she's missing somethin...
