Don't Change

Chapter 2

Felix walked into the classroom and immediately searched for an open seat in the back.  He had a theory that if you sat in the back and made no noises, virtually everyone in the room forgot you existed. That typically worked too. There was always an exception, like another dork wanting a partner, or a bully looking to bother someone.  But for the most part, everyone - including the teacher - left him alone.  No one usually wanted to sit next to him either, mostly because he was a social pariah and couldn't be associated with.

Today, however, was going to be different.  The girl - Charlie, if he recalled correctly - dropped her bag on the floor by a desk and plopped into the seat next to him.

All Felix could do was stare.  This girl, this other human being wanted to sit next to him?! Felix Marsons, social pariah, awkward klutz, total dork?!  That was definitely a first.

Charlie looked up from where she'd been taking out her notebooks.  “Huh? You talking to me? I zone out sometimes, sorry. What were you saying?”

Felix froze, eyes wide.  “I-i, uh, um, I-i d-didn’t, uh, say a-anything.”  

Charlie studied him for a moment and then grinned.  “Great.” The teacher began to talk and Charlie continued in a whisper.  “This is Mrs. Jackson's class; or as I like to call her - Mrs. Jack-ass-son.  She's an asshole.  The hardest teacher in the school.”

Felix gave her a puzzled look. “Wha-”. He was interrupted by Mrs. Jackson.  “Excuse me, sir, but seeing as you're new here, I think it'd be wise for you to pay attention on your first day.”

Felix blushed a deep red and ducked his head.  “Sorry, miss,” he mumbled.

“Make sure you don't do it again,” she reprimanded, and then continued to speak.

Charlie stared at him.  “What the hell?! She must like you, kid.  She's never that nice.”  Felix blushed again and shrugged, and hid his head in the crook of his elbow.  He heard Charlie laugh softly.  “You're a quirky little thing, kid.  I like you.”

_______

The final bell rang and Felix slowly shoved his binder into his worn leather knapsack.  It was his favorite; his best friend Anna had given it to him before he left Michigan for the first time… before his parents decided to throw away everything for one little selfish desire.  God, he missed her though.

Felix jumped at the tap on his shoulder.  Glancing up, he felt his face turn to a tomato as he met the eyes of the prettiest girl in school.  He may have only been here for a day, but Charlie had informed him on anything relating to social status and gossip.

“Um, excuse me, dork, but you're in my way.”

Felix jumped up and stumbled back over his shoes.  “Uh, s-sor-”  Before he could finish have sentence, however, she sneered and waltzed off, knocking his bag over in the process.

He sighed, knowing it was not the first, and wouldn't be the last, time someone did that to him.  He bent down and shoved everything back into his knapsack.  At least now he could go home and process everything.

“Hey, kid, you ready to go?  Don't got all day, I got things to do.” Felix glanced up, surprised to see Charlie standing there. She'd had every class up till lunch with him, and had made sure no one bothered him.  He took this moment to study her.

She was kind of tall, and rather curvaceous.  She had thick, dirty-blonde hair that was pulled back, but he could tell it had waves.  She had clear blue eyes that could see straight into your soul and sparkled when she smiled.  Today she was wearing a Blink-182 t-shirt and black skinny jeans with black converse.  She seemed comfortable in her own skin, unusual for the nerd she turned out to be.  She didn't seem to have many friends, but she was known by just about everyone. The bullies steered clear of this girl.

“Hey, Felix, c'mon dude, stop daydreaming and let's go. Don't wanna miss the bus, do we?”  Felix stood up quickly​ and grabbed his bag, flinging it over his shoulder and stumbling after this quirky nerd.