"Alright class, for today's project, I want you to pair up with a partner. Choose wisely, because once you've picked your partner, you're sticking with them until the end of the project. So, find someone you work well with and make sure to communicate effectively. Let's get started!"
Mrs. Rivera claps her hands together, and Miles Morales suppresses a heavy sigh.
It's not that he hates partnering up with his classmates—it's just the struggle of finding someone willing to work with him that's challenging. As their teacher speaks, desks start scraping across the tile floors as feet shuffle around. Backpacks are pushed aside to clear the classroom walkway, and already, his peers are murmuring excitedly as they pair up with each other.
Miles hasn't moved yet, but he knows he has to unless he wants Mrs. Rivera to intervene and assign someone to him. It's an embarrassing situation he'd rather avoid. He can already see his options dwindling as students return to their desks once they've found partners, leaving only a few lingering. It's only a matter of time before his teacher inevitably calls him out.
"Hey, man. Partners?" he takes the chance to ask the person closest to him.
Without replying, they simply point at a guy sitting next to them, his raised eyebrow directed at Miles.
"'Kay..." Miles trails off before tapping on a girl who's walking past him. "Wanna be partners?"
She shakes her head no.
Sheesh.
He makes eye contact with a boy he's familiar with but not close to, Brandon Pierre, but eventually notices the crowd of girls fighting for his attention.
"I asked him first!" One of them stomps their feet.
Brandon looks helpless, but Miles isn't in the mood to face the wrath of 6+ girls, so he turns away and pretends as if he never saw anything at all.
In front of him, three other students appear to be in deep discussion over who is going to partner up with whom. One of the girls out of the three, Miles is certain he's never seen before.
"Must be new..." he wonders.
However, in the middle of their argument, it seems as if the two other girls are already familiar with her.
"Charlie and I have always worked together, even before you transferred, MJ. It's not fair for me to ditch her just 'cause you're at our school now."
MJ, huh?
The girl speaking has a long ponytail that nearly brushes the floor. Her name is a distant memory in Miles's mind, making him realize he should try socializing more with his classmates.
MJ's hair is just as full and long, with black curls held back by a white headband. He notices her smooth dark skin and round gray eyes, causing his heart to clench strangely, and his face to feel warm. He can't tear his eyes away from her because he won't lie to himself—she's pretty.
"I'm not trying to separate you two, Isabella. Honest!" MJ waves her hand frantically. "But, can't we pair up just this once until I'm more familiar with everyone here?"
"Okay, everyone! By now, you should all be paired up. If you still don't have a partner, raise your hand," Mrs. Rivera calls out from the front of the classroom.
"Why don't you work with that guy over there? He's all by himself!" Isabella points at Miles, causing him to jolt up in his chair, his back straightening in reflex. He hadn't expected to be called out for listening in on their conversation. Now MJ's looking at him too, and Miles can't help but shift uncomfortably in his seat, offering her a nervous smile and a small wave.
