First Day of School
Peter sighed as he gazed up at his school's front doors. His Aunt May had just dropped him off at the curb, wishing him luck on his first day.
The first day of the new school year. Junior year. Peter did not expect anything to change from last year. He would still get teased for being awkward and nerdy and for being friends with awkward, nerdy Ned, go for the Academic Decathlon team, and try to balance homework with his work as Spider-Man. He also did not expect a new classmate.
He sat down in homeroom, near the back, with Ned on his right. Over the next ten minutes, students filtered in until only one seat was empty; the one on Peter's left. Peter sighed. Yep, this year was going to pretty much be a repeat of last year (minus his crush, Liz).
Just as the bell rang, the school principal came to the door, with a student in tow. Their teacher, Miss Spencer, smiled.
"Who do we have here?" she asked.
"This is Miranda Norcross. She'll be joining the junior class," he explained and left. Shyly, the new student shuffled forward into the metaphorical spotlight.
Peter's eyes were immediately drawn to her hair: large, bouncy-looking curls of bright copper that framed a fair porcelain face and a pair of grey-blue eyes.
"Well, why don't you introduce yourself? Tell us your name, where you're from, and something interesting about yourself," Miss Spencer told her sweetly.
"Um, hi. I'm Miranda Norcross," the ginger softly said, with a shy little wave. "I'm from South Carolina, and, uh...I like to draw fashion designs... " The last bit came out barely audibly, trailing off into to embarrassed silence.
Olivia, one "popular" girls let out an amused chuckle. "Well, if you want to get anywhere in the fashion scene, you might want to consider updating you wardrobe; Grandma's high school hand-me-downs aren't trending right now, newbie."
Peter glanced at Miranda's outfit. She wore a white collared blouse tucked into a knee-length blue, green, and gold plaid skirt. A blue close-fitting cardigan covered her blouse, and her feet were encased in golden tan lace-up pumps. A big brown leather satchel hung off her shoulder. Peter thought she actually really cute in the old-school-preppy look, then mentally slapped himself for assessing the new girl's looks so soon. He was not really over Liz yet. Right?
Snickers broke out at Olivia's comment, causing Miranda to drop her eyes to the floor and self-consciously fidget with her skirt. Peter felt a surprising urge to defend this new girl as Miss Spencer hushed the class.
"Olivia, that was not a kind thing to say to your classmate," she admonished. "Apologize to Miranda."
"Sorry," Olivia deadpanned, not even looking at Miranda as she inspected her recently manicured nails.
"Thank you," Miss Spencer replied. "Miranda, you can take the empty seat near the back."
As Miranda passed her, Oliva whispered "Sorry, not sorry," so Miss Spencer could not hear her. Miranda quickly passed the other girl and slipped into the seat on Peter's left, keeping her head down, so that her hair hid her face.
When class was over, Miranda quickly packed her notebook away and left the room, but not before Peter thought he saw a tear run down her cheek. Suddenly, he wanted to punch something.
"Okay, what's with the face?" Ned interrupted his thoughts
"Huh? Wh-What face?"
"That face," Ned grinned, pointing. "I know you; that's your "that was so uncool" face."
Peter felt a faint heat rising in his face. "I-I think Olivia made Miranda cry."
Ned's grin fell. "Oh. That is uncool."
