The Aegis of Noah Hart

3-From The Start

Checking the time on his phone, the display tells him he has two minutes before class starts. Running over to locker 310, he presses up on the lock which he left ajar for easy access for times like these. Opening the door, the textbook he needs, American History slides out and falls on his left foot. He starts to reach for for toes when something else falls out of the locker into his hands.

"OW! What the-"

A banana meant for snack last week squishes in his hands as he frantically turns and flings the brown item into a nearby trash bin.

"BFG! What are you planting there man? Fungus?"

Some of the kids in the locker room laugh. Noah wipes off his hands and looks toward Nick Pina. Leaning against the nearest locker as if posing for a magazine, his brown, pointy chin tightens as he shoots Noah a smile.

Big friendly giant! I should have never told him I have Irish in my blood. Why do I have this stupid red hair? No fooling anybody I guess. Mom would say it's a compliment, but we all know "big" just means fat and wait-does his hair look spiky? Like a pineapple?

Noah tries to cover a smile. He stares as the spiked tips on Nick's head remembering the talk with his mother earlier.

"Ah, look it! I got you to smile."

"You did, Mr. Colada."

The redhead gasps at his own words.

"What was that?"

Nick's face becomes serious.

"I-I said 'you did, por de nada.'"

"Oh," Nick frowns and looks around the room. 

Nick steps closer to Noah and whispers so that only he can hear.

"Um, dude, you don't say 'por de nada' when-well-ever, man. That means 'for-you're welcome. You just say 'gracias.'"

"Oh-right..." Noah whispers back.

Noah feigns ignorance which seems to work instead offending the jock. 

"Look man, I know I'm the only Spanish kid in this whole school, but there are a bunch of Latino people in Tennessee. You should learn some basic Spanish or someone will make fun of you, man!"

"Ha ha," Noah replies out loud, "I know, right. Silly me!"

"More like-IDIOT!"

Huxley emerges from around the corner. 

"What's up, playa?" 

Huxley bumps his butt into Noah as he forcefully grabs Nick's hand for a shake. The boy laughs  then turns to do the same to Noah who does his best to shoot him a glare. Huxley doesn't seem to notice.

"Good morning, Hux."

"BFG! You been making out with pigs again? Your hands are all sweaty!"

"I wha-NO!" Noah defends as he notices the time on a clock behind Huxley's head.

"I need to get my stuff man. We're going to be late."

Nick nods and waves before turning to leave. Noah tries to dart away from Hux only to bump into a tall, bulky boy.

"Oh sorry, Blaise."

"My bd. Hey, Noah. See ya in third period!"

Noah nods and starts to walk away when he smells the "burning litter box" odor from Blaise's jacket. Looking over his shoulder he sees the tall boy give Huxley a knowing wink as he leaves the locker area.