Disclaimer: I don't any news boys or rock stars.
David Jacobs sits next to Mush Meyers in third period civics; they've had classes together before but have never really talked.
Mush has already lost his pen by third period on the first day of school. He borrows one from David , noticing as he does that David's eyes are very blue and his backpack is very well organized.
People expect Mush to be almost sickeningly sweet and innocent, with broad smile and soft brown eyes. He looks open and honest and kind.
David expects that Mush probably got away with murder as a child, and that he probably still could if he tried. He certainly gets away with coming to class late and wandering the halls without a pass.
David asks Mush to be his partner on their civics project because, innocent or not, he is friendly and he does generally get his work done more or less on time.
Mush agrees to work with David because usually when Mush has a song stuck in his head, and is singing under his breath in civics, David joins in without seeming to notice. Mush figures anyone who can sing "Cracked Actor" without noticing must be a fun person.
David expects Mush to act like a person, not a seventeen year old child, even if he has a pretty face. After all, he's seen who Mush's friends are. They include a compulsive gambler, a serial dater, an arrogant loud mouth and the single grumpiest person David has ever met. David knows nobody could spend all their time around that group and still be innocent, but he expects most people haven't put two and two together yet.
David is unsurprised to find out that Mush's favorite album is Ziggy Stardust, though he can't remember how he knew Mush liked David Bowie.
Mush is delighted to confirm that David excellent taste in music. The meeting to discuss their project starts with Mush inspecting David's CD collection and ends with them watching Labyrinth, because Mush can't convince his friends to watch it with him. Mush thinks he was right about David being a fun person.
David expects Mush has taken pity on him when he drags David away from his solitary lunch to study with Mush, and Mush's friends. David expects Mush's friends will think he's a stand-offish nerd, although he expects Mush at least knows better.
David is wary of the people around him and he babbles nervously over his flash cards.
Mush thinks it's ridiculously cute and wonders how anxious David will be when he meets Mush's parents for the first time. Mush overhears Race muttering something to Jack about David being a "walking mouth" but Jack replies that at least he's a "mouth with a brain". Mush relaxes, almost imperceptibly.
David expects a simple, casual conversation when he asks if Mush is going to the winter semi-formal. Then he expects Mush to leave and never speak to him again when he realizes he inadvertently asked if Mush will go to the dance with him.
David looks horrified and tries to stammer out apologies.
Mush looks amused; he ignores the apologies and says yes.
David expects Mush likes having the opportunity to upset people expectations.