The teacher's boring words flew one ear and out the other as you stared down at your hands. You had to do a new project ― something about space. 'partners' caught your eye, finally glancing up to watch the teacher speak. Instantly, the silent class broke into quiet whispers and giggles. Of course this was the class where you had no friends in.

When the teacher finished their finally sentence of instructions, the class grew louder. Peers finding other peers and chatting happily. You stayed in your seat, unsure and staring down at your hands again. You glanced up to see a boy, dark hair and pale. He politely began to ask if you wanted to be partners. Before you could reply, a knuckle tapped on the desk just beside your arm. The knuckle belonging to someone behind you.

"they've already got a partner." The voice grunted, the tone edged with threat, it was Johnny. You knew him, who didn't? ― but you two never talked as he wasn't in your social group and he was never very kind. "ain't that right?" the question was sharp, directed at you.