"I don't think I have ever had that much fun in a literature class," Xavier said, laughing as he walked out the door of Miss Zelda's room.
"Miss Zelda can make any book interesting, that's my theory," Ella said, nodding her head seriously. Even Raven was smiling slightly.
"I couldn't believe it when you got up there to read, Ella," Xavier remarked. "You made it so dramatic." He continued laughing as Ella shrugged shyly.
"My parents have always liked acting. They'd read to me like that when I was a kid," she explained.
Small hands wrapped around Ella's waist once more, causing Ella to laugh, tickled. "I have history next," Raven began. "I'll see you at lunch, Ella.... and Xavier." She said the last part somewhat reluctantly, but Xavier smiled widely.
"Yep! See you, Raven!" Ella exclaimed happily.
"Nice meeting you, Raven," Xavier said, feeling proud that he had been slightly accepted.
Raven looked away. "Right," she mumbled.
As Raven began walking away, the two turned to see Jacob making his way towards them. "Heya, Jacob," Ella smiled.
"Hi, Ella. Hi, Xavier. How was lit?" Before Ella could speak, he added, "Don't say lit, Ella. Please?"
Ella deflated, slightly pouting. "It was a ton of fun," Xavier answered instead.
"Sounds great! I've heard a lot about Miss Zelda's class," Jacob said laughing.
"Oh? You don't have her, Jacob?" Xavier asked, curious.
"Sadly no," he began, smiling slightly. "I've got Mr. Brunner."
Ella shook her head beside Xavier. "Truly a shame. On one side you've got the most animated reader on the planet, and on the other a completely monotone robot of a teacher."
"That bad, huh?"
"Yep. Not too much fun, I must say," Jacob laughed a little, scratching the back of his neck. "Oh crap, Ella we've got P.E. in two minutes."
"WHAT? I don't want to do squats!" Ella sobbed. "LET'S GO!"
Ella grabbed both their arms and dashed down the hall, dragging them with her.
When they had reached the gym and Ella had run into the bathroom to change, Xavier looked over at Jacob. "How is she that fast?" he asked breathlessly. "And that strong?!"
"Softball... team..." Jacob answered, heaving in air. "After 10 years of knowing her, I am still not used to that."
Xavier began to laugh, clutching his stomach as he gasped for breath. "You guys are crazy," he managed. "I love it."
Ella charged out of the bathroom. "We're almost late! C'mon!" she urged. "Also Jacob, when did you change?" she asked, bewildered.
"I changed right after last period dummy, now let's get going," he answered, flicking her forehead playfully. Ella blew a raspberry at Jacob and ran into the gym, causing both boys to laugh and chase after her.
Mats were being placed down on the ground as a buzz of students found places to prepare for stretches.
"Ella! Jacob!" a voice from across the gym yelled. It was a taller girl, wearing her hair in a high ponytail and smiling widely. Ella ran over to her and hugged her tightly. The girl laughed and hugged back. "And...?" she looked up at Xavier, cocking her head to the side.
"Xavier Mendell, I'm transferring here tomorrow," Xavier introduced himself.
"Well, heya, nice to meet you, Xavier!" the girl exclaimed, smile returning happily. "My name's Katherine, but you can call me Kat. I'm on the softball team with Ella here."
"She can run faster than Ella," Jacob added.
Xavier shuddered. "I can't even imagine."
Kat let out a loud laugh. "Hey, speaking of exercise, you look like you'd make a good addition to our baseball team," she winked.
A boy behind them laughed. "Pouncing on the newbie before he's even a newbie? You're good, Katherine."
"Oh, hush, Zeke," Katherine said smiling. "You guys on the baseball team need all the help you can get!"
Zeke's eyes narrowed. "Do I sense an insult behind that?" He stuck out his tongue, causing laughter to burst from Ella.
"She's got a point," Ella said, giggling. "Oh what's the streak by now? Four losses this season?"
"Ah shut up, Lockwood," Zeke said, but there was no bitterness in his tone. "I've come to terms with our pathetic team, cut us some slack."
Xavier laughed. "Not sure how much I could help, but I'll think about it," he assured.
"Sweet! The baseball team now owes the softball team three possible recruits. They're stacking up, Zeke," Kat said teasingly.
Zeke just rolled his eyes and continued laying out his mat. "You got it, princess."
"Okay, kiddos, to your mats!" a voice up front said loudly.
Some playful groans arose. "Coach Ramon we're gonna die young!" someone yelled, laughing.
"Die young from EXERCISING? What is this school TEACHING you?" Coach Ramon yelled, pinching the skin in between his eyes with two fingers. "THAT'S BESIDE THE POINT. Sneaky kids trying to get me off track," he joked.
"Coach, can I go to the bathroom?" someone else asked loudly.
"NO!" he yelled back, causing more giggling. "FIFTY JUMPING JACKS, LET'S GO!" More groans and laughter arose as the sound of feet hitting their mats filled the gym.
Coach Ramon walked around the room, adjusting people's stances and nodding his head, occasionally scolding the people trying to be lazy.
He walked up to Ella and Kat and gave a thumbs up, resulting in smiles from them both as they pushed through to the end, racing each other. He had to help Jacob slightly until he stopped in front of Xavier.
"WHO'RE YOU, KIDDO?" he boomed.
"Xavier Mendell," he responded, continuing his jumping jacks. "Uh, sir," he added awkwardly.
"AND? WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY CLASS, PIPSQUEAK?"
"Get 'im, Coach!" someone exclaimed.
"SHUSH IT, O'REILLY," Coach Ramon boomed.
Xavier was trying not to laugh as he answered, "I'm transferring here tomorrow, Coach. Ella and Jacob have been showing me around... Mind if I stay a while?"
"Hmmmm," Coach Ramon considered. "Will you exercise?" he asked, squinting.
"Of course," Xavier answered.
"I LIKE YOU! You can stay, kid."
As Coach Ramon walked away, Katherine burst out, "Haha! It's not everyday Coach accepts someone. Consider yourself lucky, Xavier Mendell."
"I suppose I will," Xavier responded, chuckling as he started up his jumping jacks once more.
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Y'all I really like Coach Ramon like just saying. Also I'm pretty sure I wrote this earlier today, but it feels like I wrote it like two days ago wtheck. Anyways. Enjoy!
