The girl shuffled into the classroom as others took their seats, each one connected to a metal desk. At the front, on the grey concrete wall, was an electronic blackboard, the control panel jutting out of the wall beside it, its red keys glowing softly. The teacher's desk sat in the corner beside the control panel, at an angle, facing the class. From the back came the rattling of a projector, the Vault-Tec logo flickering over the blackboard.
The girl walked through the giggling children, trying to ignore the laughter. She was used to it, like the gentle humming that perpetually filled the Vault's hallways. She passed in front of the projector and her shadow arced over the blackboard.
Something caught her eye as she sat and she turned, seeing one of the children talk to another.
"Sit here. The seat's empty."
"What about the girl that normally sits there?"
"Who cares? She's not here, and her name's not on it, is it?" The girl found that strange. No one had designated seats. People sat where they wanted. The trouble-makers tended to sit near the back, perhaps where their antics could go unnoticed, or their whispers unheard. The smarter, more enthusiastic children sat at the front, which is where she sat. But never had her seat been occupied when she arrived. She suspected the children saw it as tainted or something.
"What are [i]you[/i] looking at?" one of the children said, seeing the girl staring at them.
"Someone should poke your eyes out so you can't see," the other said.
"Well, the workshop has a sander…"
The girl turned away, feeling that familiar lump in her throat.
"Good morning, children," the teacher said from the front with blessed timing. "Quiet down now."
The girl swallowed past her hurt. She breathed deep and long, trying to keep her tears quelled. It took a couple of minutes as attendance was taken, and she barely managed to reply to her name without her voice breaking, but by the time the final name was read out, she was okay.
She heard activity from the back but didn't turn around. The teacher, however, did take notice.
"And what time do you call this, young lady?" the teacher demanded.
"I'm guessing it's not playtime." the latecomer – a girl - replied.
"Don't get smart with me. Any more of that and you won't [i]have[/i] a play time."
"Oh no," the latecomer said with feigned concern.
"Just sit down, Valerie." There was a moment's pause. "Anywhere will do."
"Someone's in my seat," Valerie protested.
"Don't see your name on it," the boy from before said.
"No, but I see your name on my fist," Valerie shot back.
The teacher stood. "[i]Enough![/i] Just sit down. There's only one seat so take it and be quiet."
There was laughter as Valerie sat. The girl turned her head to see the blonde late-comer sit at the desk next to her. She quickly turned back to her desk before someone said something and the laughing died down.
"That's what you get for sleeping in," Valerie said.
The girl didn't reply. Valerie smiled dismissively and turned away.
"Right," the teacher said. "Seeing as how you all like laughing, I think it's time to talk laughing gas. Who knows the correct scientific name for it?"
The girl put her arm up and the teacher pointed at her.
"Nitrous Oxide."
"Very good. Now –"
Valerie leaned over. "Wouldn't mind having some of that on hand, don't you?"
The girl smiled. She almost laughed, but she said nothing for fear of reprisal.
"You don't talk much do you?"
She shook her head.
"Alright." Valerie turned away again.
Morning recess arrived and the teacher sat as the children eagerly marched out through the door. Valerie stood and began to walk off. The girl got up, thinking she was the last one to leave.
"Out of my way, Pumpkin-face."
The girl felt the boy shove her as she stood. She tumbled to the floor one of her flailing hands knocking a book from the neighboring desk. She whimpered and the boy laughed before running out of the classroom. The teacher looked up from the book he was reading.
"Stop larking around, will you? Go out and play."
The girl felt her eyes filling up with tears and knew she wouldn't be able to hold them back. She looked helplessly toward the teacher.
"Are you okay?"
The girl looked up to see the blonde hair of Valerie hanging over her.
The teacher appeared also, having realized a child was hurt. He checked for physical injuries and found none.
"What happened?" he asked as he helped her sit back on the chair.
"I fell," the girl replied, her eyes now dry.
The teacher looked at Valerie, doubt on his face.
"It's true, mister," Valerie said. "She just slipped."
The teacher wasn't buying it at first but then he stood and shrugged. "Alright."
Valerie began to lead the girl out of the classroom.
"No," the girl said.
"What?"
"I don't want to go and play."
"Okay, we won't."
"You go. I'll be fine."
"It's okay, don't worry."
"Please. Leave me alone."
"Why?"
"Because… They'll pick on you, too."
"Let them, I don't care."
The girl looked up, perplexed. How could someone not care?
"Why are you helping me?" the girl said after a moment.
Valerie shrugged. "It's what normal people do."
"I'm not normal."
Valerie laughed. "Nor am I."
The girl looked up, seeing Valerie smiling. Out of her sadness came a single snicker. Valerie's thin smile turned into a full grin. "Want to go and just sit down?"
The girl nodded.
"Why are you still here?" the teacher asked.
Valerie did the talking: "She feels a little shaky, and needs to sit down."
"Alright, she can sit in here as long as she's quiet." Valerie helped the girl sit down. "You can go now," the teacher said to Valerie.
"It's okay, I'll stay and make sure she's alright."
"It's your break," the teacher said with a shrug.
"Thank you," the girl said softly as Valerie sat next to her.
"No worries," Valerie replied with a smile.
"And thank you for not telling him who did it."
"Wouldn't help things, would it?" The girl shook her head. "You clearly don't need more attention. I'm Valerie, by the way."
The girl smiled in reply but said nothing.
Valerie asked, "What's your name?"
"Amelia."
"Hello, Amelia."