The OutCast's Stalker

004

I pull out the small slip of paper they give us with our locker combination on it. I follow the directions properly and try to open my locker.

Unsuccessful.

I tried again.

Still unsuccessful.

"Okay, maybe I'm doing it too fast," I mutter.

I slowly put in the combination–and to my greatest surprise–it was unsuccessful. I bang on my locker three times in frustration.

"Stupid locker," I mutter.

I jiggle the lock open in frustration, and it flies open.

"I guess it just needed a little tough love," I hear a voice joke behind me.

I turn around to see Michael standing there with an amused look.

"Yeah, I guess so," I answered, facing my locker.

I throw my bag in and grab my lunch box.

"Where do you want to sit?" he asks.

"I'm sitting with you?" I tease.

He shuffles nervously, "Well, I had assumed–"

"I usually eat in the courtyard," I answer, slamming my locker shut.

*

"So, are you new here?" I ask, taking a bite of my sandwich.

"Yeah, I moved from California. I do miss home, but I'm glad I already have a friend," he smiles.

"California is nice and warm, why'd y'all move?"

"A new job offer," he bitterly says.

"Oh."

"It's alright, what about you? Are you new too?" He quickly changes the subject.

Must be a touchy subject.

"No, I've been stuck here my whole life."

"Ah lucky, you're established then."

"I guess. I keep to myself."

"Why's that?"

"I don't really fit in, and I don't really plan to–"

"Aye my man Mike! What's up?"

I turn around to see a couple of football goofs walking up. Oh great.

"Hey guys, wassup?" Michael calls back.

"Yo whatcha doing out here? Come join us for lunch," a tall, bulky blond says.

"I'm alright right here. I'll catch you guys around later."

"Aye my man, I have to be honest. If you want to fit in the bros, you gotta hang with..."

"...The bros," they all said in unison.

What in the 90s-stereotypical-jocks-in-a-coming-of-age-movie is this cringe?

"It's alright, you can go ahead," I whisper.

"Hey Gary?" Michael stands up.

"How about I catch you guys later," he reiterates.

"Alright, alright. I see you have a lady friend. You can do much better than that though!"

They all start to laugh and walk past us to the field in front of us.

"Gary come on!" Michael calls out.