[N] The Vending Machine.

Break was almost over as you hurriedly made your way into the school cafeteria, by now some of the students had filtered out to go to class early but some friend groups still remained finishing off their food or just idly chatting.
Ambling up to one of the vending machines and pulling out your wallet, you toss out just enough coins to pay for a small packet of Skittles, reaching up to start dropping coins into the machine when something knocks against your leg. You look down as you start to curse out whatever first year is trying to push in front of you this time.

“Hey, wait your own damn turn!”

There is no first year however, instead you find a girl on her hands and knees, her head covered in a mop of pink hair with her arm shoved under the machine, her blazer and undershirt rolled up so she can fit as much of her skinny arm between the vending machine and the tile floor.
She pulls her arm out and sighs, accompanied by a hint of sadness. Looking up at you.

“What are you doing under there, kid?”

She says nothing, looking down at one or two coins cupped in the palm of her fully clothed hand, she barely even has enough to buy the cheapest item on the menu. Kneeling down so you’re face to face with her now you can see fear in her eyes, almost as if she’s been caught stealing something.
No one around you seems to be noticing the two of you on the floor, almost as if the girl was a ghost, passers-by just continue walking as if she didn’t even exist to them.
Despite your lack of knowledge in math, you know how to put two and two together.

“What were you wanting from the machine?”

“J-just something... Anything really.”

She stammers out before dropping her gaze to the floor, before looking back up at you, anger in her eyes this time.

“And I’m not a kid!”

You stand up and continue placing your coins into the machine and pressing the number code for a small pack of Skittles. Kneeling down again to open the flap at the bottom and retrieve the spoils of your non-existent efforts, you don’t stand up again however.
Turning to the little girl who was still knelt on the floor you reach the packet out to her.

“Here, I’m not really hungry, so you take them.”

She looks up at you, she’s hesitant but you can still make out a desperate hunger in her eyes. Her gaze drifts down to the small rainbow blazoned packet in your hand and then back to you, suddenly grabbing at it like a snake lunging at its prey.

“Th-thanks, dork.”

She stands up quickly and trots off, trying to hide her burning red face from you. You watch her pink pigtails bounce as she rushes past rows of empty seats and plops herself down next to a small group of girls. You’re out of earshot so you can’t hear her clearly but you can make out some small fraction of excitement in her voice, contrasting her previously defeated tone.
You stand up again and watch her, she’s almost vibrating with happiness as she wolfs down one sweet after another.

Your trance is broken and you’re pulled back to reality by the appearance of someone much taller than you.

“Hey kid, beat it. I need to use the machine too y’know.”

Hastily apologising, you make way for the exit just as the bell begins to ring, signalling the beginning of class.
You can't help but smile.
It feels like some one turned a light on inside for once. Hopefully you see her tomorrow.