How Bad Can High School Be? (Onceler x Reader)

Chapter 11

     "Ok, here's my idea," Onceler said in a hushed tone as he held open the door to the school library. He followed (Name) inside as she was looking around. The boy signaled for her to follow him as he started towards the non-fiction section.

     "I think each of us should check out a couple of books on animal adaptations, and well, I suppose overall biology," he said as he paused in front of the animal area of the non-fiction section. "Specifically for mountain habitats," Onceler murmured as he looked at some books.

     (Name) nodded, looking at their assigned habitat's description again. She had joked Onceler when he first suggested they spend their lunch period in the library looking for resources, but from watching her friend she could tell he took this project very seriously. 

     "It would probably be a good idea to pick up some books about Asian mountain ranges too," she suggested. "That's what these Zomba-ma-Tant mountains sound most like, so it wouldn't hurt to get a feel for the environment while we design our creature."

     The Onceler turned to grin at the girl. "Great thinking, (Name)! That's a really good idea. I'll grab the animal books, you grab the mountain books?"

     (Name) nodded and went off searching. She had never been to the library to check out books before, so it took her a little bit to find them. Once she did, she paused and glanced back at Onceler. He was further down and had a couple of books in his arm. With a sigh (Name) bit her lip. She really didn't want to let him down. 

     (Name) looked back at the books as she grabbed a couple that looked like they'd suit their needs. She tried her best in all of her school work, naturally, but so did Onceler. And his best was usually better than hers, the best of all even. He's kind of a nerd, (Name) couldn't help but think. Although he doesn't entirely seem like the type. 

     Once (Name) had grabbed all the books that seemed like they would help their project, she returned to the Onceler's side. He eyed the books in her hand and smiled, but (Name)'s jaw dropped a little when she saw the number of books in his hands. He had at least eight of them. There were a couple on mountain animals and animals in Asia, but most of them were more general books about animal adaptations and physiology. The number of books he held put her three to shame.

     "I figured we could split these up between us," he said with a chuckle seeing the girl's shocked expression. "Then we can read them tonight and take some notes on our ideas. If it gets approved, we'll go over our ideas and put them together tomorrow after school." (Name) nodded, agreeing with the plan, though she felt a little daunted at the idea of all that on top of her normal homework. 

     It's alright, she told herself. I can do it, and I will do it. For Onceler.

     As the girl followed her friend to a table to split up the books, a new idea formed in her head. Does he do this with every project? It must take him forever to get stuff done.

     "Huh, there's an odd number of books," Onceler said in his hushed library voice as he looked at the books. "I'll take the extra one." He split the books up so that each of them had at least one book of the different subjects. That way each of them had understanding for each aspect.

     (Name) grabbed the pile he set down in front of her. Onceler took his own and the pair walked up to the library counter. They checked their books out and started towards their lockers to store the books until school was out.

     Onceler frowned, seeing the time on one of the school clocks. The lunch break was almost over, and neither of the teens had eaten anything yet. It was hopeless to assume they could eat in class. "Hey, come to my locker after you put your books up?" He asked as (Name) paused to put her books away. The girl nodded, and watched for a second after he walked off. 

     (Name) quickly opened her locker, smirking a little as it flung open. She truly had adjusted a lot since her first day. The girl carefully placed the books in her bag, not wanting to mess them up since they weren't hers. Then she slammed her locker and she skipped off to meet Onceler.

     When (Name) saw the Onceler, he was still in his locker. She stood still, watching him. "Hold out your hands," the boy said with a smile. (Name)'s brows drew together in confusion. 

     "Huh? Why?"

     "Just do it," Onceler said.

     Making a face, (Name) held her hands out to her friend. "Cup them," he said, and pulled a bag of marshmallows out of the locker. The girl rose a brow as she brought her hands together.

     "What are those for?" She asked, watching as marshmallows were poured into her hands.

     "I felt bad about making you skip lunch so we could go the library for our project," he said sheepishly. "I couldn't let you eat nothing." 

     (Name) smiled at Onceler and ate a marshmallow. The two remained there, standing by the lockers eating marshmallows, until the bell rang for their next classes.