Chapter Text
It was a well known fact that Maxwell Puckett could not sit still for the life of him. In classes it was easy enough to keep his attention because of how flat out odd most of his teachers were (excepting Spender's. The amount of times Max got his bat taken away for magnetizing things over or away from his desk was borderline pathetic.), but there were times where Max’s mind would wander and he would get bored. And Mr. Starchman had been acting oddly normal for the past few days. Actually teaching without bouncing around and summoning woodland creatures into the room. Max was bored.
So bored in fact, that he specifically sat next to someone who would ensure he was constantly entertained by stupid conversation, vague threats, and the occasional spitball.
The first time Max purposefully sat down next to Johnny Jhonny, anyone who’d spent two minutes with the pair within shouting distance looked at Max like he’d grown an extra arm or two.
It ended with the both of them in detention for flinging pencils at each other and the other students for most of the class.
Because the two were both in detention, they wound up taking a similar route home, at the same time.
“Heya nerd, why’d’you stray away from yer dork troupe in Starchman’s today?” Johnny asked “I thought you three were like the three Muskets or whatever.”
“I was bored I guess, and Izzy and Ed aren’t even in that class with us.” Max shrugged. “And it’s theThree Musketeers.”
“How the punch did’ya manage t’get bored in Starchman’s ?”
“Dude he didn’t even do anything today, or yesterday, or the day before he just, actually taught things.” Max paused. “I think he might be sick.”
“I think it’s cos he’s been drinkin’ coffee instead of whatever that silver stuff is he usually puts n’is tea.” Johnny grinned. “So you sat next ta the Jang on purpose b’cause you were bored? That takes guts Mux.”
“I get bored really easy, it was worse when I still had the cast.”
“Speakin’ a which MVP, how’s yer arm doin?”
“It’s fine, I’ve already scaled my house and I’ve only had it off for a week.”
“Uh, cool.” Johnny said. They walked in a semi uncomfortable silence until Max saw his house.
“This is my stop dude, see you tomorrow?”
“Sure thing New kid, we have a pencil flingin’ score ta settle.” Johnny called over his shoulder.
The second time Max sat next to Johnny, everyone was uneasy. What chaos would these two cause this time?
Once again, to everyone’s surprise, Max and Johnny huddled in a circle whispering about ways to escape the class.
“The window?” Max asked.
“No way man, there’s no footholds and whatnot. Plus it’s too obvious.”
“Well what do you suggest genius?”
“Airvents.”
“My original statement about your genius was sarcastic but it’s true you’re a genius.” Max said.
“I know that, nerd.”
“But there’s one problem in your plan.”
“And what is that, smart guy?” Johnny rolled his eyes
“How would we get to them without inciting usage of The Noodle?”
“We would cause a big ol’ distraction. Aim a spitball at someone up front, and when they turn around ta see who’s askin for a fight-”
“Starchman will start interrogating each student until he finds who did it.” Max nodded.
“Egg-zactly.” Johnny said
“Okay, but do we have any idea how to actually navigate the vents?” One look at Johnny’s face said yes, he did know how to navigate the vents, and had before. Max didn't want to know. “So we’ve gotten through the vents, what next?”
“We take the winda in the lobby out, there’s a camera pointed at th’front doors.”
“And then we’re out, and are free to rob a bank.” Max joked.
“Sure, or we could go n’ swim in the lake, because it’s too hot fer that much excersize.”
Johnny threw a pencil at Max as class ended.
The third time Max sat with Johnny, no one batted an eye. This was becoming a pattern.
“Ill punch yer bald head.”
“Not if I land on your spiky one again-”
“I thought you two were friends?” Suzy asked, not so subtly pulling her pencil from behind her ear and grabbing her notepad from literally nowhere.
“We are?” Johnny said.
“We sit together, so sure I guess.”
“Can I still punch you?”
“If you can catch me you red weirdo.” Max replied.
Suzy visibly deflated as the conversation continued.
“I have an idea,” Johnny said.
“What is it, oh wise hothead.”
“I can still punch ya, but if anyone else- Jang excluded- tries to, they answer t’me.”
“Acceptable I guess.” Max paused. “And I guess you guys can come hang out at the store if you occasionally pay for stuff in non-bully funds.”
“Deal.”
“Speaking of which, you wanna stop by on your way home after detention?”
“I don’t even have d’tention today.” Johnny rolled his eyes.
“Yes you do, because you have water balloons in your backpack and there’s a balcony on the second floor.” Max grinned. Maybe Johnny was a bad influence, but hey, Max was bored.