Cinnamon buns 'n' Skateboards

[9] biology

„Hey uhm, do any of you know Karl Jacobs?" Nick asked hesitantly.
„Well, yea. He was one if my best friends in year 9 and 10, what about him?" George replied.
„He seems really distant all the time, but today he was like, extra distant."
„What do you mean distant?"
„Well, i sit next to him in form, and he's in my bio and P.E. classes. And there's almost always something off about him, and he was here before you guys came, and he seemed like really sad and tired."
„Oh no."
„George?"
„Well we kinda had a big friendgroup in year 9, but then in year 10 there was like a huge school fire and well, Alex, his best friend, basically his brother, didn't make it out. And that was a year ago today."
„Oh."
„Yea, oh. And if you look closely you can see a few burn scars on his hands, actually all over his body, but it's probably better not to point them out."
„That's... that's a lot he had to put up with."
„Yup."

That was the day Nick decided to become actual friends with Karl. Karl needed to be happy again. And soon enough, there was a great opportunity for that to happen.

———

„Listen up everybody! We are doing presentations! Everyone get a partner and then we'll pull topics."

The classroom became really loud really fast and Nick could easily recognise which people are pairing up. Everyone was trying for a partner, except him and Karl.

„Good! Has everyone got a partner?" Miss Minecraft, the principal's wife, asked. Nick raised his hand slowly. „Yes, Nick?" his teacher said.
„I don't have a partner yet."
„Let's see... Mr. Jacobs, do you have a partner yet?"
„No i don't, Miss." Karl replied.
„Great, then you guys are partners now! And you'll be the first one to pull a topic. One of you may come to the front." And so Nick did. He reached for a little paper, pulled it out and opened it. „Mitosis." He read it out. „Great! That's a good topic." His teacher happily replied.

After the lesson was over, Nick instantly stormed off to find Karl. Or, trying to get his attention.
„Hey! Hey, uhm? Karl?" Nick desperately tried. He only saw one way of making Karl listen. Getting in his way. „Hey!" Karl snapped. „Sorry but there was obviously no other way of getting your attention. And i just wanted to ask if i could maybe have your snap, as we were paired for bio, do you remember?"
„Yes, i do, but i don't necessarily want to do that."
„Me neither, but we have to do it together, otherwise she'll probably notice that I did all of it and you are totally unprepared and will get a bad grade. And i suppose you do not want that?"
„Okay fine, hand me your phone."
„Here."
Karl tapped in his username and added himself.
„I'll accept you later, i don't have my phone on me right now."
„Thanks, hey uhm, do you maybe wanna join us for lunch?"
„No i'm fine."
„Please join us, i know you don't have many friends and i'm sure you could use a little company."
„I don't want your stupid company."
„Come on, please? I can give you 10% off in the bakery. Niki and i decided that friends and family of us get 10% off, so if you're willing to be my friend, there are only positive consequences." Nick explained.
„Ugh, fine. But you gotta tell me who's there first."
„So there's George, i think you know him? Wilbur and his little brother Tommy. Oh yea, and me of course."
„Well i guess they're okay people. Fine, i'll join."
„Cool! We meet on the oval when it's not raining. Otherwise we'll go to the cafeteria."
„Okay cool."

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Im feeling funky so have another chapter