Disclaimer: All rights belong to J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, and Katherine Paterson, author of Bridge to Terabithia.
Note: Written for the 5, 10, 20, 50, 70, 100 Fandoms Challenge.
New Student
Jesse stared at the new student in front of him. It was odd how there were so many transfers all of sudden. It was only two, but that doesn't happen very often in this small town. He looked over at Leslie to see her reaction. Her head tilted slightly, short blonde locks neatly falling to the side, the girl wore a bright smile on her face, like he expected. Leslie always seemed to be in a happy mood, smiling was her default expression. She beamed and sent him a small wave when she noticed his staring before turning back to the front of the classroom. Jesse tuned back to what the teacher was saying.
"So please make Harry feel welcome," Mrs. Myers concluded, pushing the small, scrawny boy gently forward. "We have to order another desk again, so you'll have to share with…"
She paused as her hawk eyes swept the room before landing on Leslie, softening considerably. "You can share with Leslie. Is that okay with you?"
"I don't mind, Mrs. Meyers," she replied, raising her hand to show her location for the new kid. Harry pulled a chair over, dropping his ratty bag to the floor. He nervously took out a notebook and pencil, sticking only to one corner of the desk even though Leslie angled her own papers to one side to allow for more room.
"Okay, class," Mrs. Meyers started once more, "you will write me a paragraph on what you learned on a special on bats and echolocation coming on tonight at 6 pm. Leslie, see me after class to discuss what you'll write."
The blonde girl nodded, ignoring the slight snickering of her peers coming especially loud from Gary Fulcher.
Jesse doodled in his notes, placing his forearm on his desk to block the teacher's view. He was just touching up on the exterior of the treehouse when an unfamiliar voice piped up.
He glanced to the side, not moving from his slightly hunched position to see the fall of Harry's hand.
"What if I can't watch TV?" Jesse rose his eyebrows at the English accent. Was he really that distracted that he missed his teacher explaining the student moved from England? He should start paying more attention in class, he thought as he slowly put down his pencil.
"Oh great, another sheltered hippie," Garry muttered from behind Jesse who frowned at the jibe at his friend. The class burst into giggles at the comment.
Redness rushed throughout Harry's face at the derisive laughter, confused about the jeer but aware that it was about him. Jesse felt a stab of pity for him, someone who was mocked for something when he had only said one thing so far in this new country.
"Quiet!" the teacher smacked her ruler against the desk, waiting until the last giggle died before continuing. "Meet me after class, too, Harry."
The green-eyed boy ducked his head, curling into himself like a turtle away from the stares. Leslie patted his arm, whispering something to him. Jesse frowned slightly at the curious exchange but shrugged, figuring he'll find out from Leslie later at their place. They were the rulers after all, no time to deal with new students.
I was planning to write more…but then I got lazy. Not a good excuse, I know. But this makes a decent intro to something more later on. Meanwhile, I'm still cringing at the smut I wrote last chapter. It was my first time, I apologize. Skip past the shame, I know I do. PS: if you have any requests, I'm open to them. - Aldira~