When Toby got home from Marc’s, he went straight to his room, and crawled into his bed. He had fun, but was once again exhausted. He wasn’t used to doing so much socializing, and it really took a lot more effort then he realized.

     His thoughts wandered to Marc. I wonder if he’s ok? He didn’t seem too happy with the idea of whoever that was coming over. Maybe I should text him? He layed in his bed on his side, holding his phone while he debated. Eventually, he decided not to text Marc because he didn’t want to bug him. I’m sure he’ll tell me about it if he wants to.

     Toby spent the rest of his weekend sleeping and playing video games. While they played at Marc’s, they exchanged usernames so they could play games together, but Toby didn’t see Marc pop on all weekend, which he didn’t know if that was normal or not. He was still curious about who those people are, though he kept his curiosity to himself.

     When monday rolled around, Toby felt more rested than usual. He actually woke up early enough to see his dad before he left for work, which he could tell shocked his dad, though he tried his best to hide it. He also ate most of his breakfast, which was unusual for him. As he walked to school, he realized he wasn’t totally dreading the day. Having friends at school, even if it was only two, had made last week somewhat less crappy, even if the week started out absolutely terrible.

     When Toby arrived at the front of the school, he realized he still had at least 20 minutes before the school rang. It had been a long time since he had gotten there that early, and he wasn’t sure what to do with himself, so he stood on the sidewalk pondering. While he was spacing out, he got pushed forward suddenly. He managed to catch himself before he fell, though he scraped his hands on the sidewalk in the process. Standing up, he looked around him, but whoever had pushed him was already gone. Brushing himself off, he winced when his hands moved over the fabric of his jeans. When he looked at them, he realized that he had gotten hurt worse then he had though. Blood was starting to ooze out of several small scrapes.

     What a great way to start the week. I’m never coming to school this early again. He thought to himself as he walked to the nurses office. Over the last year, he had gotten acquainted with the nurse, so when he walked in, she wasn’t at all surprised to see him there.

     “ You’re here early today Toby. What can I do for you?”

     Toby shrugged in acknowledgement, then held out his hands for her to see. She looked his hands over, then started to give him instructions. “Go wash your hands with warm water and soap in the sink.” As he moved to the sink, she suddenly looked out the window that allowed he to see into the rest of the office. When Toby looked to see what she was looking at, she looked at her watch, her eyes going wide. “Oh dear, I have a meeting I need to get to with the principal. You know where the antiseptic ointment and bandages are, yes? I know I can trust you in here on your own. Just make sure you close the door behind you on your way out!” Toby nodded along as she talked, then she grabbed a stack of pamphlets and zoomed out of the room straight to the principal’s office across the way. Toby quickly finished washing his hands, wincing as he dried them, then quickly put on the antiseptic ointment.

     After finishing cleaning his cuts up, he grabbed his bag and pulled the door shut behind him, making sure it closed and locked behind him. The school nurse may have trusted him in there on his own, but he was pretty sure he was the only one. Any other student would make a mess or steal her supplies. As he turned away from the locked door, he saw a familiar face sitting in one of the chairs outside the principals office. He walked over to where Marcy sat, and casually took the seat next to her. She looked like she was deep in thought though, so he chose to stay silent. After a few minutes, she signed, leaned and leaned back

     Toby decided to finally say something to her. “ Penny for your thoughts?”

     Marcy must not have realized that Toby had been sitting next to her, because she jumped in her seat at the sound of her voice. She looked at him with panic on her face, until she realized it was Toby. He laughed at her, which caused her to frown.

     “Haha, very funny.” She pretended to pout, which only caused Toby to laugh more. “How long have you been sitting there?” She demanded.

     Toby took a few deep breaths and calmed himself down. It had been a long time since he had laughed, and he must admit that it left him a little winded. “Not long. You seemed deep in thought, so I didn’t want to say anything.”

     “Oh.”

     After a few minutes of them sitting there in silence, Marcy still with a frown on her face, Toby decided to ask “So, why are you outside of the principals office? Did you do something wrong?”

     “Huh? Oh, um… no. My parents are having a meeting with him and the school nurse. I wanted to be in there, but they wouldn’t let me in.” Marcy said, slightly distant. Toby figured she was just stressed about what her parents and the principal could be talking about.

     The two sat in silence again for a few more minutes before Toby decided that Marcy needed a distraction. He pulled out his english homework, and asked her to look it over for him. Marcy breathed a sigh, but took the assignment from his hands and began to read it over. As she did so, Toby could see the tension slowly start to leave her body, his method of distracting her seeming to work.

     “Your assignment was really well put together! You’re definitely way better at english then I am. I’ve got a B in that class, though I’m not really sure how I’m managing that.” Marcy said as she handed the papers back to Toby.

     “I wouldn’t say I’m good at english, I just read a lot more books than most people do.”

     Marcy nodded, saying “Yeah, Marc mentioned you like to read.”

Toby looked at her, then looked away, not sure how to respond to her. He wasn’t totally sure he liked the idea of two people having conversations about him. The door next to them suddenly opened, and five adults filed out of the principals office: The principal, the nurse and one of the school counselors, as well as two other adults that Toby figured were Marcy’s parents. Toby looked over Marcy’s parents. Her mom was dressed in what Toby would best describe as librarian clothes: clean, pressed and neutral colors. Though she looked like she was a colder person then any other librarian he had ever met. Her father was dressed in a button down dress shirt, and dress pants. Toby couldn’t even begin to guess what her parents did for a living, though they didn’t give him the impression of open, loving parents.

     After shaking the principal’s hands, and shooting a dirty look at the nurse, Marcy’s parents turned to Marcy, suddenly realizing that Toby was sitting next to their daughter. Her mother frowned at him, and Toby realized that she probably thought he was sitting there because he was in trouble. Toby mentally shrugged, not really caring what Marcy’s parents thought about him. Parents always reacted one of two ways towards him: shock and disgust at how he dressed, or pity that his parents let him dress that way. Toby knew his dad wanted him to dress differently and be happier, but he also knew his dad wanted him to do what made him the most comfortable, and for Toby, that was skinny jeans, t shirts and sweatshirts.

     “Marcelina, we will talk when we get home. Your father and I need to get to work now. Don’t be late to class.” And she walked away, throwing another look towards Toby that he couldn’t interpret. Her dad didn’t say anything, but followed after his wife.

     The principal turned and went back into his office, and the counselor went a few doors down to where her office was. The nurse stood there, and smiled at Toby and Marcy. “Ah, Toby! Did you manage to get the cuts on your hands cleaned up?" Toby nodded in response. “I’m glad you and Marcy are getting along with each other! You two be sure to be good friends and look out for each other, ok?” When Toby and Marcy nodded, she walked away satisfied.

     “Well, that was… weird?” Toby said out loud, not really intending to. When Marcy started laughing, he let out an awkward laugh as well.

     Marcy turned towards him, a somewhat sad smile on her face. Before she could say anything though, the bell rang. The pair began walking out of the office and towards their classrooms. Before splitting ways, Marcy stopped and turned towards Toby. “Um… Marc wanted me to tell you he won’t be at school today. Or tomorrow. He got sick over the weekend.” There was a hint of awkward sadness in her voice, but Toby chose not to question it. When he nodded signalling that he understood, Marcy walked off towards her first class.

     Toby made a mental note to text Marc later, then went to his own first class.