puppet strings ♡ joshler

two

"maybe you'll be able to switch out of that class," alex suggests. "they should be putting out the forms in a few days."

tyler nods as he props his elbow on the table, resting his chin in the palm of his hand as he looks out the window again.

✧

the school bell blares throughout the building, signalling the start of the first day of school. tyler nervously glances around the room, taking in his surroundings. there aren't many other students in the classroom, and there are several posters about greek and roman mythology hanging on the walls.

he doesn't recognize any of the students in here either. he worries that he's the only senior in a room full of freshman—please tell him he isn't in a freshman class, or worse—he's in the wrong class.

he can already feel the embarrassment welling up as he retrieves his schedule from his book bag. period one, greek and roman mythology with mrs luellen. he lets out a relieved sigh; he's in the right place. it also doesn't say anything about being a year one class or anything.

the announcements end and their teacher moves to stand at the front of the classroom, offering a welcoming smile. tyler can't help but wonder if she'll be like this every morning, or if she's gonna be one of those teachers who seem all nice on the first day and turn out to be awful later on. apparently mr best was like that.

"good morning, class," she greets, voice kind but boring. only a few reply, and she only furrows her brows a bit before continuing. "um, welcome to greek and roman mythology."

she gives a mini speech about what this class is about, and tyler can't help but tune it out. he wonders how zack and alex are doing in their classes, wonders if they're as bored as he is.

the class collectively lets out a groan—what the fuck did he just miss?

"—get with your partner now, we'll present next class."

oh dear god—he can already feel the dread eating him alive and he wants to escape, and it only gets worse as students get up and pick partners, bringing their seats with them, none approaching him. why would they?

tyler stares at his lap anxiously as he listens to the commotion. everyone should be with a partner by now—

"i guess we're partners."

tyler looks up as someone drags a seat towards his and sits in front of him, accidentally meeting eyes with a girl who looks to him disinterestedly. tyler quickly looks away as he nods.

"do you even know what we're doing?"

his face flushes in embarrassment as he shakes his head.

"oh, well, it's an icebreakers assignment where we write about our partners so we can read it in front of the class next time," she fills him in, pulling out a couple sheets of paper for the two of them. he tries to thank her but no sound would come out, but she hums as if to say you're welcome.