The gruelling first week of school was finally coming to an end. People surrounding him informed one another about their plans for the upcoming weekend; ranging from Billy Fort's party to an end of summer pool party at the nearest hotel that was most certainly illegal or at least something that would get them all in a heap of trouble.

He, for one, didn't have any plans. Not that any of it was a surprise. This, and every other weekend, would be spent just like his summer; sleeping. It didn't even matter if he was assigned homework, it could be done last minute. Nothing in the beginning of the semester was ever relatively difficult.

And he would remain undisturbed. Luke was probably being invited to all of the activities that the popular crowd was attending. If luck was in Ravi's favor, his brother would be out until late Sunday night (and then be in for a lecture from Jessie for-

Wait.

Luke was still grounded. Until Jessie saw fit to unground him. He groaned. There went his peace and quiet. Since Monday after his explosion at the dinner table, his brother was awfully moody and stomped through the penthouse; even glaring at Ravi whenever they were in the same room together (Ravi did his best to plan ahead and prevent that).

Presently, he was debating on whether or not to carry his afternoon textbooks with him. The day hadn't even started yet, with at least twenty minutes to spare. It would certainly save on time commuting through the halls. However, the downside of that was being forced to lug a heavy backpack. As much as he desired to just go to class without any stops, he valued graduating high school uninjured.

You're such a nerd

Normal people don't injure themselves from a flipping backpack

Why can't you be normal?

This is why people don't like you

Among other reasons

Him? Liked? What an interesting concept. Too bad it would never be more than that; a concept. A neat little idea that would never come to surface. He knew he was throwing a pity party; a futile action because when did they ever help anybody?

He shut his locker door, lingering before he had to make the unavoidable journey to English class. It wasn't as if he hated it, per say; on the contrary, the calm atmosphere of Miss Zenon's classroom was notably better than his other classes. There was no doubt that it was the aftermath of her warning lecture on Monday. Ravi didn't think he'd ever be grateful to a teacher ever again.

Still, even with the added luxury, it didn't stop his anxiety from taking over as it did before every class. Logically, he knew they weren't even glancing in his direction. They didn't care. But it would take one whisper, a cough or a clear of the throat for his brain to assume; to assume it was about him. They didn't like him. They were talking about him. They were laughing about him. They wanted him gone.

Dear God, you're a mess. How can anyone stand you?

They can't

That's why he has no one

If you wouldn't be so paranoid people might not think you're so strange

When those thoughts first popped up he refuted them; he wasn't strange just unique like Jessie said. He wasn't a freak and he wasn't the things other people said he was. Those were all lies, determined to make him miserable. They just wanted a reaction and he wasn't going to give them one.

And it worked. For a little while. The time spent in America had built up his self esteem slowly but surely. He actually felt loved and supported and wanted. That was a big one; when in his childhood that was all he had ever heard, was that he wasn't wanted or loved. And he hadn't ever thought it would happen again. That was, until the storm cloud came over his head and never left.

Ravi couldn't pinpoint the exact time or day it occurred; it wasn't just a 'bam' moment where he knew he felt different. It just happened over the course of time. Things got him like they hadn't before; his temper shortened and his emotions went all over the place. And that was when the inner thoughts, the ranging voices got louder; disrupting his everyday life. He couldn't go a day without feeling like he was the lowest of the low. There might be a moment, an hour or so where he was okay. Some might go as far as to say he was having a good day. But good days don't last. He knew that first hand.

The classroom was empty; not even Miss Zenon was there to greet him with a smile and tell him good morning. Sometimes he waited until she was engaged with someone else to slip in without her noticing him. But that meant having to spend that extra time outside of the safe space. With other people. With other people that hated him.

Wah wah

He sat in his desk with all his materials perfectly arranged so he didn't have to dig for his stuff like a fool. Miss Zenon made it clear they needed their book (which was handed out the second day); a pencil, a notebook and 'imagination'. Ravi had scoffed (in his mind) when the last requirement was mentioned.

Ha! You? Imagination? Don't make me laugh

"Good morning, Ravi," Miss Zenon swept in briskly. Her long skirt flew about as she moved. "How are you doing today? How's your wrist feeling today?"

Terrible. Still hurts. "Good," he said as he did every morning. He made it a point to be as vague as possible so she wouldn't question him. He was sure this was in relation to their exchange on Monday.

"Alright, if you're sure," she side eyed him. She cleaned off the rest of the white board before adding on, "I actually have something I want to ask you."

This set off alarm bells in his head.

What have I done? I completed all of our homework assignments on time and have hardly bothered her for help

Your presence bothers her

You've made her mad

She's going to tell Jessie what a disappointment you are

She's going to be like everyone else

"Oh? What is it?" He fought to keep his voice from shaking.

She faced him. "We have a new student starting today and I was wondering if you could keep an eye on her? She knows her way around; she and her parents were shown around yesterday. I was just hoping you could talk with her, maybe sit at lunch if you have the same hour?" She suggested. "I just don't want her feeling overwhelmed and lonely. Can you do that for me?"

He could, not that he entirely wanted to. There was just one question that needed to be answered. "Why me?" Miss Zenon had plenty of other students to choose from.

"I trust you," she shrugged then snorted-a very un-teacher-like thing. "I know you're nice and you won't try to flirt with her the moment she gets here."

I assure you that would never happen

Like she'd go for someone like you anyway

"I see." What else was he to say? "Of course, Miss Zenon. I'll do it."

"Fantastic!" she clapped her hands together. "Thank you, Ravi. I really appreciate it."

"You're welcome." He couldn't feel too excited about this. Either she would dislike him from the very start or be pulled in to the popular crowds and dislike him. It was a lose-lose-situation.

What a Debby downer

Can't you ever be positive?

I wouldn't blame her for hating you

I'd hate to be around someone like you

Just tell her no! You can still back out

That would disappoint her

You've disappointed so many already. Who cares?

She's counting on me

She's counting on someone that's not damaged. She wants a smiling face, not you

"Oh, Ravi-" Now what? "Can you make sure no one goes in my drawer while I'm gone? I'll only be a few minutes."

"Of course," he said, pretending he was more than happy to do it.

"Thanks," she smiled. "I can't prove it but I'm sure Billy and his friends helped themselves to my sweet stash."

That sounds like them and I'm sure you aren't going to do a thing about it

How can she when she can't prove it?

Idiot

She closed the door behind her. Ravi relished in the tranquility. It wouldn't last, although it did free him of the air of awkwardness he felt having to be alone with her.

You're so rude, God

She likes you and you're gonna ruin it

It's more than you can say for the other teachers

True. There was that. Ravi had to admit it. He didn't really understand Miss Zenon and why she was so kind to him. In the two discussions they'd had in class (during class), she'd asked him to speak his opinion on the subject matter. It was almost like she...valued his opinion. That was never the case in his other classes. Previously, especially when he first started school in America, he was a bit over the top in wanting to answer everything. No wonder Luke and everyone else called him a nerd.

No, you're worse than a nerd

Creeeak. Ravi jerked in surprise, meeting the eyes of a girl he hadn't seen before. It must be the new girl, he realized.

No duh, sherlock

"Hi!" her smile showed her teeth and he focused in on her braces. Blue. What an odd color choice. Typically people went with a more neutral one that didn't just stick out.

"Hello," he gave in the effort which was more than he could say he usually did for he was going to be around for the whole day, might as well try and be friendly. Something that didn't come naturally to him anymore.

She strode further in, head held high and eyes full of curiosity. She came into the row next to him and sat down, inching closer with most of her body weight on that side. He eyed it cautiously in case she tipped it over. "Is anyone sitting here? I hope they won't mind."

"Err, no. No one is sitting there."

"Great!" She was very...bubbly. And certainly not shy. "I'm Shelby. Shelby England." There was a beaming smile on her lips. "I'm a bit nervous if you can't tell. Apparently school started Monday but we didn't get here until Tuesday. I'm from Iowa. We used to live near this farm and the cows were so cute. Have you seen cows before? I want one so bad but my parents said no."

She said it all in one big breath. Ravi wasn't quite sure what to make of her. He'd never met someone like her. On one of the shows Zuri watched, there had been one talkative character, not that he thought he would ever see someone like that in real life.

"Oh, wow I'm rude. Sorry! What's your name?" She asked him suddenly.

"Uh, Ravi. Ravi Ross," he mumbled.

"What an odd name, but not like odd weird. But odd like cool, you know?" she twirled a piece of her blonde hair. It fell down past her shoulders in waves. "Sorry, I ramble when I'm nervous." She let out a giggle.

That was a forgivable offense. He could understand. When he was taken to America for the first time, it was utterly nerve racking.

"So what's Mrs-" she took her horribly wrinkled schedule out from her pocket, "Zenon like? Is she cool?"

"Miss," he corrected absentmindedly then cringed. Might as well just stamp 'nerd' on your forehead. You ruined things already. "And yes, she's, uh, cool. She gives out candy sometimes."

"Oooh!" her eyes lit up. "I like candy."

He never would have guessed...

"I'm really good at English, better than math. How about you?" She adjusted the black-rimmed spectacles that had slid down slightly.

"I'm decent at both," he replied and he wasn't technically lying. He was decent. Math was a stronger suit and a preference but he didn't do bad overall.

"I wish I understood math," she copied Ravi and took out everything she needed, excluding the textbook. "My brother gets it." She giggled again, leaning in to whisper, after making sure the coast was clear, "sometimes I have him help me with my homework."

"I see," he said, slightly confused.

"Totally embarrassing, right? I hate it and he always rubs it in," Shelby told him.

"I suppose so," he thought about how he'd feel if he needed to be taught about sports by Luke. He'd be mortified.

"Can I see your schedule? Maybe we'll have other classes together." She seemed genuinely excited at the prospect. She'll get over it

"If you wish," he gave it to her and watched as she circled a few things.

"We have English, history, lunch and math together," she squealed. A little over the top reaction, in his opinion.

"Great," he faked a smile.

"Are your friends in this class? I can't wait to meet them!"

Did she know? Was she aware of him being friendless and felt the need to antagonize him until he finally admitted it?

Shelby was grating on his nerves and it wasn't as if he could simply just get away from her.

Perhaps she forgot she asked him a question or chose to brush it off. "I like you," she continued talking, primarily to herself because he definitely wasn't doing most of the speaking, "you're cool. Wanna be friends?"

A friend? Was she truly offering or would this be thrown in his face later, that he was stupid enough to think she was being serious?

She doesn't mean it

She only wants you to think she is

She's a liar

They always are

"Sure," he said tonelessly.

"Great!" she exclaimed.

Yeah. Great

Ravi semi listened to Shelby chatter about various topics. She was so tiring! And that fake enthusiasm- was she like this frequently? His refusal to contribute didn't drag down the conversation either. Lately, the rare times someone might try to strike up something, he just didn't feel like talking back and that usually caused the other person to just give up-not Shelby.

"You must be our new student!" Miss Zenon was back. Just a couple minutes before the warning bell rang. "I'm Miss Zenon."

"I'm Shelby England, it's nice to meet you," Shelby said respectfully.

"If you'll step over here, I'll give you your textbook. We just started our first unit on Tuesday so you aren't too far behind. I see you've already met Ravi and I'm sure he'd be happy to lend you the notes for you to copy- you don't mind, do you Ravi?"

As if you have a choice

"No," he said quietly.

"Fantastic." Miss Zenon went through a quick rundown of what was expected of Shelby in order to pass the class, the homework she'd missed and the optional extra credit assignment assigned on Wednesday that she still had time to complete if she so wished.

Shelby's head bobbed up and down, absorbing in all the information she was given. Well, he could say she didn't whine or look unhappy at the additional amount of homework she was receiving. Is she ever unhappy? When all was said and done, she returned to her seat and organized everything in her binder.

It was about that time for the day to begin. Students trailed in sleepily, perking up a bit as they snuck glances at Shelby. She never noticed, she was too busy writing down what Miss Zenon was currently writing on the board.

Ravi heard them whisper.

"Who's she?"

"Must be a new girl."

"Why is she sitting with him?"

"I bet she feels sorry for him."

"Welcome everybody," Miss Zenon sat on the edge of her desk like she did everyday. "We have a new student as I'm sure you've noticed. This is Shelby."

Shelby stopped writing and waved. "Hi, it's great to meet y'all!"

"Oh boy, a country girl," he heard someone mutter. "Wonder if she's gonna teach us to milk cows and pick corn off the stalk."

"Thank you, Shelby," Miss Zenon picked up her teacher edition of the textbook, "now that that's out of the way. Can someone read start reading paragraph one on page 356? We'll go down the rows."

"Hey, Ravi! Wait up!" Shelby raced to be by his side in the hallway. Some people were in disbelief that a girl wanted to be near him, as evident by their gawking.

"Yes?" he raised his eyebrows. "Did you need something?"

She shook her head. "No, I just wanted to walk with you. PE is this way-" she scrunched her face up, checking her schedule. "I think."

"It is," he reassured her. The boys and girls PE were adjacent.

"Oh. Good. Was I talking too much back there? If I was, yeah I do that a lot. Sorry. I don't mean to but sometimes I just feel like talking, you know?"

He couldn't relate.

"Wanna sit together at lunch? We have the same hour."

As if she would by than. By lunch he'd be yesterday's news and she would have new people to socialize with.

As if you and her were actually socializing

He shrugged. Shelby took it as a yes. "Awesome-sauce!" she was a little too loud, catching the awareness of those around them. Ravi blushed, ducking his head. Couldn't she have a been shy? Or more self aware of how people were going to view her? "I can't wait to tell my parents I made a friend! Elliot won't believe me; he thinks I'm too weird to have friends." She giggled as if it was a funny joke. "Jokes on him, he's weirder."

I can already feel a headache coming on

It's your own brain trying to escape

How intelligent

You started it

He and Shelby went their separate ways, him to science and her to PE. Ravi was just greatly appreciating the silence, without her buzzing around him. But it wasn't much of a worry, of her returning, he held no high hopes for that.