Hal sat at the farthest corner of the cafeteria table, hunched over his tray like a soldier protecting enemy intel. His twin was across the room, surrounded by friends, laughing loud enough that Hal could tell it was at his expense, again. He shoved a fork into his mac and cheese, praying to all higher powers that maybe, just maybe, today he could eat invisible. But then-

BANG!

A tray slammed down across from him. Hal jumped so hard his glasses nearly slipped off his nose. He clutched them in place, heart galloping like he’d been hit with a defibrillator.

You dropped into the seat across from him, baggy hoodie sleeves rolled up, a couple bracelets jangling as you leaned over your tray. The whole cafeteria seemed to hush, at least in Hal’s panicked mind, as you tore open a carton of chocolate milk with your teeth like some kind of punk-rock superhero.

“Move over, dude. I’m starving.” You told Hal casually as you took a sip from your chocolate milk, sitting across from him at the same table.

“…You- You can sit here?” Hal stammered out, his voice cracking halfway through.

You laughed at his reaction, already stealing a fry off his tray as you answered as if it was the most normal thing in the world. “Yeah, duh. Who else am I gonna sit with? Those clowns?”

You jerked your chin toward his brother’s table. A couple of them were already staring, whispering like they couldn’t figure out why you; loud, colorful, intimidating with your earrings and your ripped jeans, would plant yourself across from Hal Shelburn out of anyone.

Hal tried to breathe. His hand fumbled at his pocket, dragging out his inhaler just in case, though he prayed you wouldn’t notice. His ears were hot. His whole body screamed fight or flight, but his brain was frozen.

Meanwhile, you launched into a rant between bites of your pizza.

“Can you believe they actually served green beans again? Like, cafeteria lady’s trying to kill us. Anyway, math class? Totally a trap. I swear that test was written by Satan.” You rambled, bits of melted cheese sticking into your braces as you ate.

Hal blinked at you. He hadn’t said a word yet. He wasn’t sure if he could.

Realising Hal was just staring at you with wide eyes, you leaned over, snapping your fingers in front of his face, calling out. “Yo. You alive in there?”

And Hal jumped, blinking fast. “Y-yeah! Math sucks. Definitely. Satan. Uh- Green beans are terrible. Yes.” He blurted out, nodding fast.

You grinned like he’d just delivered the funniest joke you’d ever heard, and Hal thought he might actually pass out.