Gilbert followed Antonio and Francis, who were arguing about who was more amazing... Francis's hero, Joan of Arc or Antonio's pet tomato. It was getting quite heated, and both boys turned to Gilbert on more than one occasion to complain about the other's stupidity.
"Oh, shut up!" The music teacher's voice cut in over the senior music class's babble. "Right. Now, get into groups of three, go to a booth and write down the songs. If you get more than two wrong, it's a detention! Go NOW."
Gilbert gulped. He'd hoped he'd have a chance to make some friends before they had to split into groups. He looked at Antonio and Francis, and Antonio smiled and indicated with his hand that Gilbert should join them.
"Who's that?" Gilbert asked, "he's bossy isn't he?"
"Oh, that's Mister Edelstein. He's alright, once we start actually playing. He just hates first class after midterms. Right, Tonio, you can write, I'll listen and Gilbert can sit there and pretend he's being useful," Francis half joked. "That way we'll at least have a chance, right? I thought so, mon ami."
"Right," Antonio said, "I'll do that. And I'll do your agriculture class homework. Remember, tell me the song's NAME and ARTIST not its rating. That's not helpful."
"I'm always helpful, right, Gilbert?"
"Um..."
Francis laughed, then Mr Edelstein turned on the song.
"I know this one!" Gilbert explained, "its the Prussian national anthem!"
"Cool. I wouldn't have guessed that," Francis laughed, "It wasn't one I knew. Thanks."
"Yeah, thanks! I've gotta help my Mama to teach Spanish As A Second Language class. Ugh," Antonio grimaced, "she'd've killed me if I wasn't there."
"Oo! Song change!" Francis cheered, "it's... London Bridge is falling down? What the hell?"
"London Bridge is falling down," Antonio murmured.
At the end of the class, only Antonio, Francis and Gilbert escaped without a detention and a whole book's worth of music theory to do for the two hours they were locked in the music hall.
"That was good," Francis said, "I've got Maths next."
"Astronomy."
"Maths," Gilbert said, relieved, "so... walk with you, Francis?"
"Fair enough."
They parted ways, heading towards their class.
Gilbert was happy. He'd managed not to fail first period. And, he thought, I've got some... friends?