Just another normal school day

"--During the test, you will describe and model each part used in the previous lessons. Remember to write out the steps you used to solve the equation—," explains the raspy voice of Mr. Derek, my 3rd period Math teacher.
I rub my eyes, trying to get them to focus on anything.
"You may begin."
I look down at my desk to find two pieces of paper one with a bunch of nonsense equations and the other full of unfilled bubbles. Looking back up to the clock, I try to start the test. About halfway through my mind starts wandering--No, you need to finish the test. It is not that hard. I try to fight my mind and just focus on the test.
"Pencils down. Please hand your tests to the front of the class."
Oh, come on. I couldn't even finish the dumb test. I am a failure. Regretfully, I pass the test sheets to the person in front of me, close my eyes, and put my head in my hands. Math used to be my best subject and now I can't even focus on it. What is wrong with me? The teeth vibrating and ear-piercing sound of the lunch bell cradles a stampede of 7th graders as they all push their way out the classroom door. Right as I am about to make it out the door, I am confronted by Mr. Derek.
"What happened to you? You used to be the smartest kid in class and now you won't even pay attention." He vexed.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Derek. I'll work on it," I reply emotionless.
I walk out the door and make my way outside.
A short, rounded body appears next to me, "Hey Bud. How was the math test?"
"I didn't know we had a test until an hour ago," I reply flatly.
"Oh... It's probably not that bad. Right?" he says.
I shrug my shoulders and continue making my way outside. He follows.
"Eddie, you don't have to stay with me. You can go over with your other friends," I say knowing he wants to go inside with everyone else.
"I'm gonna stay right here if it's fine with you."
He looks at me expecting me to answer but I don't. I don't know why. I want him to stay and I want him to know that. Now it's too late. It would just be awkward if I said it now.
"And I don't have any other real friends. No one here really cares about me," he says in a hushed voice.
I look over at him, trying to understand why he would even want to be friends with someone like me. I’m not popular like him. People actually like him and he’s so nice and charismatic all the time. I don’t know how he does it. Me, on the other hand, one couldn’t care less about. I mean, I guess it makes sense. I’m not super extroverted and open with people, so I guess they just get tired of me. Eddie looks back at me and smiles, a weak smile. I try to return the smile but fail, horribly. He snorts.
"We'll work on it," he says patting my back.
As we are about to start eating, we hear footsteps behind us, we stop, just as we are about to turn around, we hear a silvery toned voice say, "Hey! Can I sit with you guys?"
Astrid. Eddie and I both turn around to see the redhaired artist standing about seven feet in front of us.
"Oh, hey Astrid. You are totally welcome to sit with us. I mean as long as it's fine with my Bud over here," Eddie answers, gesturing towards me.
"Uhh yeah. You can sit with us," I reply, not as natural as Eddie or Astrid but more like a robot reading out loud in class.
"Thanks, guys," Astrid says while sitting down on the opposite side of the picnic table.
While Astrid is looking away, Eddie looks over at me and winks. I roll my eyes.
"So...," Eddie starts.
Knowing what he's going to say next I elbow him in the ribs.
"Fine," He whispers.
Astrid noticing our dilly-dallying, asks me, "Did I come at a bad time?"
"No," Eddie replies. "I was just wondering…. Why did you want to sit with us? It's not exactly normal—"
Astrid seems to hesitate for a split second and then speaks.
"I love nature and the outdoors and today's the first day it's been nice outside."
She's not wrong. It has been either snowing or raining most of the school year. Astrid looks up to the tree above us. Her bright eyes studying every limb and leaf on it, memorizing the way it moves with the breeze, and the different shades and shadows of the tree. She looks free, like this is where she wants to be, outside with nature, learning about its every secret and treasure it holds. I wish I could be like her, free, actually, truly happy. Someone calls to Astrid from the school building. She turns her head to see who is calling her, and I notice scars on the nape of her neck.
As my mind starts thinking about what Astrid has been doing, Eddie elbows me and whispers, "You're staring."
"Oh yeah. Sorry," I reply sheepishly.
"Don't worry Bud I'm sur—" Eddie stops, hearing commotion inside.
Astrid turns to us, panic and excitement filling her eyes as she says, "There's a fight."