"Very photosensitive," Stiles interrupts.

"My theory is vampire."

"I don't photograph well."

"Oh, I doubt that. What about live theatre, then? I hear there's a drama club; are you involved in that at all?" His tone suggests that he would very much like the answer to be 'yes'. 

"Stage crew. Are you thinking of auditioning for the fall musical?"

"Oh, absolutely," Liam confirms. "Which reminds me, I need to find out when auditions open."

He grins. "I've been practising my American accent, too. 'I don't photograph well'," he quotes in a passable imitation of Matt's accent.

"Not bad. You don't really need to. Most people will find it charming."

"Most Americans find British accents attractive. I wouldn't give up that advantage."

"So I've heard. But versatility is an actor's best friend, don't you know." This in the most proper Queen's English he can manage, and he just about manages to get through it with a straight face. 

"Just theater? You could branch out."

"I've signed up for choir as well," Liam admits. He's not sure of the choir's reputation at this school yet, but he's pretty sure of at least one ally at the table. 

Is that the bell? "I've got Dual and Team next, anyone walking that way?"

"See if you can keep up."

He stands, walking briskly, with barely a goodbye to his friends.

Liam follows, waving goodbye to Rowan as he goes. "Bye, Matt, Danny."

He has to jog a little to catch up initially, but then keeps up without too much trouble. "David, right?"

"Yeah. What sports are you into?"

"Tennis and cricket, mostly, back home. I'll probably pick up baseball, I guess, but I've never played it. Maybe basketball, as well."

This is faster than he'd choose to walk, but at least it's a decent warm-up. It's not so fast that he doesn't have breath for talking, either. 

"That's cool." 

They arrive. 

The gym teacher has already begun to organize the students into two teams for dodgeball. 

"Ledford, glad you finally made it! On the left. You, other one, on the right."

There are only a few people on each side so far.

David goes where he's told.

As does Liam. The coach will have plenty of time to learn his name. 

He didn't think they were late, though, especially given how fast they were walking. Maybe it's just one of this school's unwritten rules that you arrive at gym early?

It might be this teacher. 

He seems to have a different insult for every student. 

The students who continue to filter in receive less intense insults, though. He ignores some of them entirely. 

Players take their positions. David seems to be focusing his throws on Liam.

Is he now. What a pity Liam is good at dodging, then.

He starts aiming for David in retaliation, why not. 

This does not seem to discourage him.

He throws more aggressively!

Oh, it's on. 

Liam's dodging start getting a little fancier, showing off for the audience. At the same time, he switches to targeting David exclusively, throws increasingly accurate as he gets used to the ball. 

He doesn't think he's done anything to make David hate him already, especially given that they were having a perfectly civil conversation right before class, so this is probably some peculiar method of testing his worthiness for friendship, or some such - whoops, getting distracted there, Pender. 

David is in fact pretty easy to hit when he gets really into it. 

Another player takes advantage of Liam's distraction to hit him.

Well, it had to happen at some point. He wasn't expecting to win, not on his first day. He managed to last longer than David, though, and that's something.

He retires gracefully, going to sit near David if that's allowed. If not, he'll find someone on his own team to make friends with. 

No one moves to stop him.

"Hey," David says, smiling thoughtfully. 

"That was impressive. I don't think I even got close to hitting you."