After 3 boring periods, it was lunch. I headed to my locker in order to put away my books and get my lunch box.

As I was opening my locker, another boy came over and started to open his locker as well. Ugh, Roman.

Roman Sanchez, the 6th grade jock, has had a locker next to mine all year and I'm guessing that will be the same for the next two years. He's okay, but he has a very big friend group that follows him everywhere. Having a locker next to one of the most popular kids in sixth grade is something I don't think is healthy for my social anxiety. I would prefer to move lockers, but I don't want to go through the hassle of learning a new code, changing my route, all that stuff. So, I just deal with it.

But, that day, his friends weren't with him. Before I told myself otherwise, I asked, "So, where's your friends?" as I finally swung open my locker. He sighed, "They decided they would just go to our usual sitting spot first without telling me. So, I was freaking out. Sometimes, they act like I don't care." Okay, maybe he's not "okay". He's ungrateful. He didn't have to run away from an abusive father. He doesn't only have his brother to comfort him. He doesn't have a failing grade in English. He doesn't have only one friend. And yet, he was the one complaining.

I quickly finished up with my locker, closed it, and started heading to where Talyn and I usually sit. Once I got there I waited because Talyn got lunch from the cafeteria and our sitting spot was very far away from there. I opened my black lunch box and saw a Pb and j sandwich in a yellow container with a pink post-it on it from Patton. It read: Heya Virgil! I hope you're having a good day! Remember, I love you! Now, for your daily pun! I entered ten puns into a pun contest hoping one would win. No pun in-ten-did!

I groaned at the pun. How does Patton come up with so many? I folded up the post-it and stuffed in my jacket pocket so I could preserve it until Talyn came back. As if on cue, I saw Talyn walking towards me. But, they limping and only standing up because they were being supported by someone in a orange beanie.

I jumped up quickly, ran to Talyn's side, and helped them over to where my lunch box was. "What happened?" I asked after I set them down with the help of beanie-dude.

Beanie-dude answered for them. "Bullies." they said simply. Hey! I didn't want to assume their gender!

I nodded. I reached out to get my water bottle which, miraculously, was still cold and could be used as an ice pack. "Where does it hurt?" I asked Talyn. They pointed at their right ankle and I put my water bottle there.

"Feel better?"

They nodded.

After a few minutes, I asked, "Do you think you'll be able to walk to the nurse?"

They thought for a second then nodded.

I looked up at beanie-dude. "Can you help?"

They nodded.

I quickly packed up my lunch and, with the help of beanie-dude, got Talyn to their feet. It was a struggle, but we finally got them to the nurse's office. 

A/N No, I didn't forget about this story. I'm going to try to get a better schedule, but I dunno. I used to know exactly what I wanted to do with this story, but now, I don't know. Anyways, bye bye!