We're Stuck In This Together

[Charlie Jarrett]

Truth be told Charlie was only half paying attention. Although she was doing better than half the other girls looking up dresses and shoes on their phones. Charlie was daydreaming. She had an idea for metal working. But unfortunately she was stuck here in this class room. It was calculus or something. At least she figured as much from the mess of letters all over the board. Why did it seem like the further into math she got, the less she saw actual numbers? Her lips quirked up in a smile. At least she had her thoughts to entertain her.

Except when her ears caught something about groups. Groups in math? This had to be physics then. Man was she that out of it? Apparently so. The teacher was already writing down names on the board. It was a group project. Some sort of lab assignment outside of the lab period. Charlie inhaled and exhaled. Breathing helped. Or so her dad claimed. She really wasn't looking forward to working with someone.

Her name popped up on the board. She was with someone named Alexandra? "Huh. Mouthfull." She remarked before glancing around for her supposed partner. Might as well get awkward initial greetings out of the way. Especially considering she had no idea who this other person looked like.

[Alex Da Costa]

Alex sat scribbling random drawings onto her notebook, eyes only occasionally lifting up to the board where the class lesson was being scrawled in dry erase ink. She was, beyond the shadow of a doubt, bored out of her skull. Even though the notes on the board contained enough letters to write an English thesis, Alex, try as she might, could not muster up the will to pay much attention during the class. It wasn't for lack of interest in the subject, math happened to be her academic specialty, nor was it a class that didn't pertain to her degree program since math played an integral role in engineering of any sort, especially that of the aerospace variety. Alex's disinterest in the class came down to a remarkably simple fact: She'd already taken, and aced, this exact course over three years ago.

But here she was, a victim of academic bureaucracy that, for some reason, deemed the credits she earned for the course invalid because they were earned as an optional 'elective' while she was still in high school in the United States and she was forced to take it over again. Sometimes Alex wondered if the school administration just liked to mess with her.

When her name was announced and subsequently etched on the board below that of one of her classmates, Alex blinked a few times before glancing around the room. While her bright, red hair (which was commonly adorned with brilliant colored bows) usually set herself apart from her classmates, Alex's diminutive stature and near silence during the lessons had resulted in her near anonymous attendance of the course. She didn't hang out with any of her peers outside of class, nor was she ever asked to. She was simply the quiet girl off to the side that did her work and tried not to bother anyone.

After a few moments of what seemed like deliberation, Alex gathered her textbook and other materials and got to her feet. Clutching her books to her chest she crossed the room to where the blonde girl who was to be her partner was sitting. Alex knew almost everyone else in the class, though she didn't bother introducing herself much (or at all). "Hi." Alex said once she'd gotten close enough. Her apprehension at how well she'd be received as a lab partner was unable to hide her naturally cheery disposition and she gave the other girl a bright smile and a short wave. "I'm Alex."

[Charlie Jarrett]

Finally someone came over. Charlie's eyes immediately went to her hair. Now that was red. The second thing Charlie realized was how tiny she was. She was so petite. She could probably be mistaken for a high schooler. She did say hi. Even gave Charlie a bright smile. Alex. That was certainly better than Alexandra. Charlie returned the smile and nodded. Her's probably wasn't as super bright though. "Hi. I'm Charlie." She responded. "Nice to meet you."

Charlie shifted her bag off the seat beside her. It was a good tactic to keep some of the other kids away. They'd have to actually ask to sit next to her. Most avoided that. But here Charlie didn't have much of a choice. Still, they were partners. Luckily the girl seemed nice enough. But looks could be deceiving. "So, you ready to do this 'extra lab?'" She asked. That was basically what is was anyways. Hopefully the two of them could get it done quick. "Honestly I don't get why they wouldn't just make it a normal one. Saves us the trouble."