"So, is this how all of your classes work here?" Smackle peered over her lunch tray at the group, now silently picking at their meals. It was new for her to be around so many people with such loud personalities, but even she could tell that there was more going on than Farkle had explained. They could barely look at each other, lest they upset the careful balance that they'd cultivated to keep up appearances.
"Well, actually," Lucas began.
"You really shouldn't be flirting with me right now. Things are already pretty complicated for you in this moment, right?"
Lucas opened his mouth to reply, but then fell back into his seat, amused but defeated.
Farkle smiled and nudged Smackle's arm a little. "It's different with Mr. Matthews, Smackle. We're learning just as much about ourselves as we are about history."
It was hard for Smackle not to smile with Farkle so close to her, even if things were tense around all of them. Getting to go to school with him full time meant seeing him at his best, among his friends. Not to mention, sharing classes would definitely inspire a little friendly competition.
"Or science or math…" Zay mumbled, crossing his arms. He knew the joke was going stale by this point, but with things getting so quiet he was working overtime to be the class clown he felt they needed. He eyed Lucas, sitting between Riley and Maya. He was smiling, but he knew that underneath his Mr. Perfect façade that his mind was racing. The three of them, running in circles.
"I just don't understand how putting the personal before the practical could be a winning strategy. High school is about getting an education to prepare for college, after all. You can't waste it with…drama." Smackle watched the group recoil from the word, all flexing or flinching before settling back into masks they'd made for themselves.
"Not even Pippin?" Farkle asked with a grin.
"You know that's not the kind of drama I mean," Smackle replied.
Riley still hadn't said a word since class. She spun her spoon around her food without taking a bite, images of smoke and lava filling her mind. Maya eyed her worriedly, knowing that the sunshine she was so used to was going to be replaced by overcast skies for a while.
"You know what doesn't require any drama? Shopping. Maybe Riley and I can take you to Demolition after school, Smackle. We can learn all about, uh, capitalism. Great research for all your science-y stuff."
"I appreciate the offer, Maya, but your companion doesn't really seem up for the lesson. Besides, I'll be spending my afternoon with Farkle."
Riley didn't look up from her plate, now working her mashed potatoes into the shape of a mountain. If only she could find a way to change things in her own world. Push away all the confusion and turn mountains back into mole hills. Make everything look the way it did before things became so complicated. Go back to the times when she knew exactly what everyone meant to her. Maybe even back to when she could imagine herself to be anything she wanted, like a princess waiting for her prince.
"I wouldn't be opposed to company, if that would be alright with you, Smackle," Farkle replied, his eyes on the evolving terrain of Riley's plate.
"Well, I suppose that would be alright…"
"It's settled then. Smoothies at Topanga's, my treat." Farkle smiled. Everyone exchanged glances, never settling for too long, trying not to give things away…not just yet.
