Picture 11: Stairs leading up to an entrance to the school.
Text on screen: Avery sits on the steps of Chase Hall. They're focused on their tablet, seemingly editing a photo.
Picture 12: Avery is a white non-binary 15-year-old with light skin and red hair pulled into a bun. They're wearing a magenta t-shirt and their arms are crossed. They look annoyed.
Avery: Do you need something? I'm just finishing this up.
You: Avery, you're so good at photography and stuff. I wish I could be more like you.
Picture 17: Avery rolls their eyes.
Avery: Uh-huh. So, you're here because? Why are you here?
You: Someone is framing me by posting mean things about people as Cashew, and I need help!
Avery: Okay, fine. Let me see.
Avery checks the account.
You: Oh no, there's a new post?
Unknown: Cashew says someone hasn't been a very good friend, and that stinks. If they don't apologize before tomorrow, everyone will be able to smell their betrayal a mile away.
You: Crud.
Picture 13: Avery crosses their arms.
Avery: That's rough, buddy, but it's not my problem. I've got too much stuff to do.
You: Something doesn't add up, time to go back to Miss Henderson's room.
Picture 14: Miss Henderson's classroom.
Miss Henderson: Hey there! Back so soon?
You: I'm having trouble talking to someone. I'm not sure we have anything in common.
Miss Henderson: Ah, I see. Sometimes listening actively isn't enough, especially if someone doesn't seem interested in talking. Finding a connection with the person could help. Mention something you have in common, or if you don't know them that well, look for clues. A shared interest might be obvious, like if they're wearing your favorite band's T-shirt.
Try not to compliment them on something general or their appearance. Saying, "I like your shoes," might be appreciated, but it doesn't make a meaningful connection. At worst, it could sound insincere or even sarcastic.
The best connections come from an appreciation of their interests or skills. Like, "I saw your photo display at the art show the seniors put on. It was pretty cool." Someone might be more interested in talking to you if they know you share a genuine interest in something they care about.
Finding a real connection can take more work than a quick compliment, but you'll probably learn you have more in common with people than you first thought. Come back if you need anything else!
Picture 15: The stairs up to Chase Hall.
Text on screen: Back at Chase Hall, where Avery is still sitting on the steps. They look up.
Avery: Still "wish you could be me?" Whatever that means.
You: The photography you do is really cool. I was wondering, how'd you get into it?
Picture 16: Avery smiles and seems excited.
Avery: Oh, one of my moms got me an old-fashioned disposable camera when I was a kid, and I loved it. I never stopped taking pictures. She's the one who had me take trombone lessons, too.
Picture 17: Avery's eyebrows furrow and they look frustrated.
Avery: Like, and I'm not saying you're like this, a lot of people treat me like it's easy to do it all. Band, photography, yearbook. Truth is, they all take a lot of work. Fun work, but still work.
You: I totally get putting your all into the hobbies you love. I do the same thing. Do you ever get overwhelmed by it all?
Picture 18: Avery smiles and seems proud.
Avery: Sometimes, you know. If I go right from yearbook to trombone practice, I'm exhausted. But, in a good way? Like, I feel productive.
Text on screen: Avery reluctantly puts their tablet down.
Avery: Okay, you've been pretty cool, so I'll tell you what I know. It's not much, but maybe it will help you out. Basically, I got this email yesterday from some random account, like mischief-squirrel-2005 or whatever, saying that if I photoshopped a picture of Cashew next to incriminating graffiti and sent it to them, they'd give me 25 dollars. I didn't think they were gonna use it to be a jerk, okay! So then, when I saw what they posted, I went to the field because I was curious, and I saw Liz there.
Avery pulls up a picture on their camera of Liz at the football field.
You: That's strange. Liz is usually studying in the science lab. What would she be doing at the football field?
Avery: So, maybe check with her. See if she knows anything. Oh, and if you figure out what's going on, let me know. Here's my number. I'd like to know who this person is, and also get my 25 dollars.
Picture 19: At the science lab.
Text on screen: The science lab is empty, except for Liz and Mister McKenny's hamster, Melon. She has a perfect GPA and is really smart. (Liz, not Melon. But Melon could be really smart, too.) Liz appears to be hand-sewing something small. She holds it up. It looks like a miniature grass skirt.
Picture 20: Liz is an 18-year-old Latine student with light-tan skin and long brown hair with bangs. She is wearing a red sweater and small hoop earrings. She is smiling slightly.
Liz: I'm making this costume for Melon. I think if Melon could, she'd learn how to hula. It suits her, right?
You: Yeah, but why are you sitting in here sewing?