i'm just really observant

Hall Stalking

I definitely know that Peter Parker is hiding something. I can't quite pin what it is, but I know that it has got to be something strange. His best friend Ned must know about whatever unusual secret he is hiding because out of nowhere he began to act out of character. Don't think I'm obsessed, because I'm definitely not. I am just extremely observant. 

It's one of my hallmark traits. I'll never understand why, but some people misconstrue my ability to pay attention to having a crush on people. I will admit that I focus on some more than others, but so what? 

I've gotten pretty good at my observational skills because I don't have any friends. I mean, I have acquaintances, but friends? No. Since I'm a professional spectator of highschoolers, I know that no one really is your friend. Everyone is shallow, fake, or just a straight up loser. 

"Michelle, this again? Why are you even here?" Mr. Sherman is the gym teacher here at Midtown High. He's also doomed to watch kids in detention every week. 

OBSERVATION

Mr. Sherman had dreams for his life but things went awry and he ended up a high school gym teacher. He's ashamed of it but also doesn't care. What his original dreams were? Most likely being a comic book illustrator.

"Come on, Mr. Sherman!" I say, getting ready to launch into the same thing I say every time. 

"I sketch people in crisis," we both say at the same time. I laugh. 

He furrows his eyebrows slightly. "But why do you really come here? I don't think you have ever actually received one detention, but you've been here more than almost everybody."

There's a little bit of awkward tension in the air before he adds, "Are you having troubles at home?" 

I roll my eyes and look at my nails. I try to refrain from blushing because there are a couple of other students here. "Mr. Sherman, I can assure you that everything at my house is perfectly fine." I look up at him during the last few words to make sure that he believes me. He stares at me for a moment, like he's debating whether or not I told him a lie. Eventually, he sighs a looks back at his laptop. 

I'm about to let go of a breath I was holding when he looks back up at me. "Get on out of here, Michelle. Let me see your sketches first, though." This is one of the reasons I like Mr. Sherman so much. He likes looking at what I draw, and by the way he studies it, I know he draws too. 

I get up and hand over my art. He leans back in his chair while holding onto my notebook. "This is good," he says as he smiles and hands it back, "Have a good day, now." I smirk. "Thanks." 

I turn around and walk out of the classroom. I need to stop by my locker before I head home to pick up some of my homework. I guess it would be wiser to do it in the detention room where I don't actually have to be, but it isn't that big of a deal. 

My locker is across the hall from Peter's.

OBSERVATION

Peter Parker is hiding something in and/or near his locker. Nothing suspicious has ever been spotted from my point of view when the locker door is open, but for a fraction of a second, he makes the face that tells he is hiding something.

I've played around with the idea of becoming "closer" acquaintances with him, but I hesitate every time an opportunity arises. I look at his closed locker, unbothered, since school is out, and I think about every time I've seen Ned and him have interesting conversations. I sometimes wish I was included. I guess it wouldn't be weird since we all are a part of the decathlete club, but eh. In my opinion, the best part of being in the club is being able to spend time with Liz Allen. There is so much to her. And also I feel like we have a lowkey mixed-girl connection. 

It is glaringly obvious that Peter has a huge crush on her. That boy could not keep a secret if his life depended on it. It makes me wonder if anyone has ever liked me. But that's not possible, because I would catch it. 

A few moments after I close my locker and begin meandering out of the school I quickly turn around. Someone else is here. Instead of being an idiot and shouting, 'hello?!' I backtrack quietly and quickly. I turn a corner and see a shadow move for half a second. Someone is here. Were they watching me? I bolt and catch Ned turning yet another corner, but too slowly this time. 

"Ned, I saw you," I say, slightly out of breath from my quick little sprint. 

He sheepishly makes himself seen and scratches his head.

OBSERVATION

Whenever Ned is looking for a lie, he scratches his head. He uses Head&Shoulders shampoo and it is near impossible to catch him with dandruff or greasy hair. 

"Well," he says, his voice ridden with uncertainty, "I'm just here picking up some homework I forgot."

I shift my weight to my other leg. "I'm not even sure if you believe that," I say. I've always thought it was a dope line, and I make sure not to overuse it. 

"You always say that."

Well, scratch that. It's a dope line and you better believe I use it every chance I get.

I squint and purse my lips together. It's a signature look of mine. "So? That's beside the point. Why are you actually here nearly an hour after school is out?"

 He looks like he's really proud of what is about to come out of his mouth. And so he says, "I could ask you the same."

Basic. Cliche. Boring. I really thought Ned was gonna whip up something fresh.

"I was busy seeing a teacher," I say with beautiful nonchalance. I am an excellent liar. The trick is to make it a selective truth. Mr. Sherman technically is a teacher, and I was seeing him. Ned buys it. 

He looks like he remembers a prior responsibility and wraps this whole thing up. "Well, it was nice seeing you, Michelle! Bye! See you tomorrow!" He turns around and walks faster than he usually does. 

Ned is always excited to go home at the end of the day. He has no reason to be here because decathlete club practice isn't scheduled for today. Plus he was being sketchy and stalking the halls? He is definitely in on whatever Peter is hiding. I know it.