This idea has been brewing in my mind for a while, and I'm really excited for it. I hope you all like it. Even though it is a high school AU fic, many characters will be showing up! I'd also like to thank my closest Mac GC friends for letting me run this idea by you and giving me feedback!
In lieu of that, I'm dedicating this to you all: Mike, Patti, Oz, Candice, Snez, Steven, and Leslie.
Leaning back against his locker with an amused sigh, blue eyes trickled over to Mac's best friend as he fiddled with the combination lock, just like he did every morning. Bozer knew the combination, but he would always get in a tizzy after gym class, before chemistry. Not because of the subject itself, but rather, who was in their upcoming lab.
"You know, we have assigned seats, Boze," Mac reminded as the clang of the lock crackling against metal earned an appreciative grin from Bozer. Hurriedly he reached in to fish out the appropriate textbook, all the while trying to nonchalantly dab a fresh dab of his cologne on his neck. Mac rolled his eyes, though there was humor in them. "You're going to get to sit with Leanna whether we get there early or not."
Leanna Martin. The mention of her name drew Bozer from the privacy of his locker as he closed it with a bang. "Dude, lower your voice," Bozer hushed his best friend, clapping his shoulder. "I'm trying to play it cool with her. You know– hard to get. If she knows I'm pining for her then I don't stand a chance."
Anyone could see Bozer had heart eyes for the head cheerleader at MCHS. And really, who didn't? Not only was Leanna talented, but she was kind, and one of the smartest people in the whole school. Not genius level like Mac, but she was in the top rankings. And Bozer had been hung up on her the instant she showed up freshman year.
"You always make her laugh," Mac pointed out, his lips lifting into a smile. Bozer had that contagious kind of humor that could sneak up on people. Everyone liked him, and he was lucky to call him his friend. He could be a bit of a softie, but all the same, Bozer standing up to Mac's bully back in middle school was what brought them together. He'd never forget that, and was constantly reminded that beneath that blazing smile, was bravery.
Bozer offered a proud grin as they coasted down the hall to their next class. "Yeah, but being the class clown can only get me so far. I mean, she's royalty." His voice pitched into a lilted tone as he eyed the cheerleader in her desk, already a notebook ready and she prepared for another round of chemistry. So badly he'd wanted to make jokes to her about how they had chemistry themselves, but she was stuck with him as a lab partner for the year. He didn't want to scare her off right at the beginning of the semester.
"Just be yourself," Mac insisted as they scuffled into the room and he took his seat behind Bozer. Unfortunately, Mac hadn't been so lucky with his chemistry partner. Just a month into classes and he'd already been through two of them. Technically. The very first day Mr. Scott had stuck him with Desi Nguyen, but they protested. Exes that didn't get along, playing with fire in a chemistry lab? Wasn't safe. They'd proven that the first time when they managed to make their first assignment explode. Literally. It was bad enough they had to even be in the same room together.
Mac had been happy when Jill was placed there at the two-person table beside him. She was nice and they vibed well. She too was very into science and he needn't explain something before doing it. Mac had thought maybe this year would be his time to shine. He could, when no one was holding him back. Unfortunately Jill's schedule had to change for her other classes, and that booted her from being his partner as well. Mac was content, and actually preferred to be alone when it came to science. There was no one there to judge him. He could do his own thing. He was hopeful it might stay that way.
As Bozer started with the dad jokes that always seemed to somehow make Leanna giggle, Mac turned toward his notes, reading over the ones taken in the previous lecture. Not that he was actually reading them; he already knew all this stuff. Still, he did it to humor his teacher while others mingled. The sound of the bell signaled the students to quiet, though not completely. Lifting his gaze from his notes to the clock, he felt a glare of daggers piercing into him across the room. Desi.
If anything, he was the one that should be looking at her that way. She was the one that used him. For his grades, nonetheless. Did she really expect him to stick around when he found that was the only reason she had shown him any interest? Mac hadn't much luck with girls or dating, but he wasn't just going to settle for the first one to give him attention, either.
The heaviness of tired eyes began to outweigh Mac's attention quickly. Mr. Scott was droning on about particles and other things Mac had learned at a much younger age, which left him bored. Mac wasn't troublesome at all, unless his natural curiosity and attempts to cure said boredom got him into a mess. Which, was often.
Hiding one of his comic books inside his textbook to catch up on the latest one he'd picked up at the local store, it was the swing of the classroom door that finally drew his attention. Ocean orbs widened with both intrigue and intimidation as a young woman stepped inside; the short skirt she wore only allowed due to the fishnet leggings that hid patches of skin beneath. She looked like trouble, but she was also... gorgeous. Hazel eyes glimmered brightly from the smoky eye-shadow surrounding them, but Mac couldn't look away. Even when his teacher introduced her to the class. Riley. Davis. Riley Davis. Why did that name sound so familiar?
"Whoa, that's Leanna's cousin. The one I heard had been in and out of juvie. But I see they got the same pretty genes," Boze mused quietly as leaned froward to nudge Mac. Bozer wasn't wrong about the latter, but her beat up jacket and disarray waves of hair certainly alluded to that reputation. She seemed tough as nails for sure. Before his mind could wander much further, she was plopping down in the seat next to him.
That's right. He was the one without a lab partner. The only one. This poor girl didn't know what she was getting into. Then again, neither did Mac.
"Miss Davis," their teacher continued. "You'll be paired with Angus. Just a warning that Mr. MacGyver tends to…" the man trailed as he grimaced. "Go off the book. Most of the time. So please help keep him in line."
Mac shuddered with a small chuckle at that remark. He was harmless, and knew he looked it. So he wasn't surprised when the bright-eyed rebel gave him a once over with incredulously arched eyebrows.
"Don't worry. I'll make sure he doesn't," Riley quipped back, a smirk gliding along her sultrily glossed lips. Mac wasn't sure if he was scared or turned on by the playful glare she gave him, but there was the slightest smile mixed in there that made him relax a little. Still, he laughed nervously.
It was difficult to even focus on his reading when a beautiful girl was sitting next to him, but Mac tried to hide it. Even if he stole more glances at Riley than the pages he was flipping through. Not even The Flash could distract him. The sound of the bell signaling the end of the period had him nearly leaping out of his seat, causing another smirk to stir from Riley. Bad girl or not, she had him entranced.
"See you tomorrow, Angus. Also, you better plan on sharing that Flash with me. I need to catch up on it." There was a hint of teasing as she said his name, and although Mac was still starry-eyed he managed a reply. "Mac. I mean– it's Angus MacGyver. But just call me Mac."
Riley's gaze twinkled wryly as she brought her books to her chest. "See you tomorrow, Mac."
He offered a bright smile, which dissipated as he felt Bozer tap him on the shoulder.
"Oh no. I know that look. Don't go all Romeo on me again, Mac."
It was too late, but Mac fired back with a shake of his head. Even if he was already captivated by Juvie-busted Juliet. It didn't help that she loved comic books too.