Video. A Friendly School PSA.

[shoplifter]

 [The feed opens with a huffy looking Laura, sitting in front of the screen like it's a PSA announcement or some such — and judging from the glancing up at what must assuredly be a teacher, it's exactly that. Or something. She scowls at the camera again before looking down at the paper held in her dainty little hands that have totally never hurt anyone ever, no sir. She reads it blankly, and it's very clearly she's the worst podium speaker in the entire universe:]

I have agreed.... to read aloud, so that I will not be suspended for the week.

I would like to formally apologize for anyone I have ever stabbed, kicked, punched, or bitten... It was not my intention to hurt anyone and I will try my best from this point on to control my temper, both — in the complex and at school. [She wrinkles her nose, looks deadpan at the camera, and continues.] I am sorry to Tabitha for shoving her nose in the grass during recess. Even if it was because she was being unkind to another student, it does not give me the right to use... 'force'.

And I am sorry for using... Spanish expletives toward Jared, and hitting him in the throat with his own backpack. Even if he was being rude, it does not... excuse violence. [She looks so annoyed, save her.] From this point on, I will do my best to stay in school... for the whole school day. I will try not to leave past the wall.

[She puts the paper on the desk, calmly.]

... And I will not steal the chocolate milk from the cafeteria anymore.

[More gravely:]

But if Susan insults my accent ever again, I will shove her into the trash ca—


[huh the feed ended suddenly how about that






... she's in detention now]

Comments

[shoplifter]

I'm in detention.

[She bites her lip, though, thoughtful. Hmmm.]

... Do you want to leave instead? I know where a toy store is.

Susan can stay in school while we have fun.

[waffler]

Detention.

[Yeah, she has no idea what that is. It's just a weird word to say out loud so she can learn it. Learn it and avoid it. ]

We can leave. And go to the toy store.

[She's never really had a toy of her own, getting to go to a store full of them sounds fun. Especially since she's got no problem just taking what she wants. Which brings her to her next thing she wants to find and take -]

Do you like waffles?

[shoplifter]

[She nods, looking pleased.]

Peter Quill Star Lord showed me a place with good pancakes and waffles. We should go.

[She looks back toward the door, where the supervising teacher has been wandering.]

Go to where the flag is. My window is right there; I'll meet you.

[And never fear, because by the time Eleven gets to that specific destination, Laura's parkouring down the side of a building like it's business as usual. How many times has she scaled out of detention? Who knows.]

[waffler]

[It's not really hard for Eleven to get to that flag because she's quiet and is good at just walking out of places even when adults shout at her to come back. It's also not hard to spot Laura, though when Eleven sees her scaling the building the way she is it surprises her.

She stares for a second before waving. Awkwardly waving. Because she has no idea how to friend when other girls are involved. When Laura's feet hit the ground, El falls in line beside her and they just start walking in sync without missing a step.]

I can float you down next time. Like flying.

[Because of course there will be a next time.]

[shoplifter]

[She smiles a bit more genuinely. This is her kind of kid, then!]

... My name is Laura.

Are you a mutant, too?

[Look, the bright side to kids like them is being straight to the point.]