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The next day, I woke up feeling excited.  The simple fact that I got to deliver Harry’s glasses to him made me anxious to get to school.  Also exciting was the fact that he would probably go to school with nothing on his face, which would allow me a clear view of his amazing eyes before the obstruction was back.  After getting ready and eating breakfast, I cautiously placed his glasses in my backpack, careful to set them on top so as not to crush them. 

By the time I had driven to school and parked, I was even more anxious to get to class and see Harry.  Once I got to my locker, I could feel a weight in my stomach that I was sure would only go away once I saw him again.  I was just about to slam the door shut and head to my class when Haley appeared on my side.

“Hey,” was all she said.

“Hi Haley.”

“So, what’s up with you lately? You’ve been weird the last few days,” she stated, staring at my profile.

“I don’t know what you mean,” I feigned ignorance.

She gave me a skeptical look, making it clear she didn’t believe me.  “Yes you do.  You’ve hardly said a word and when you do it’s to yell at someone or defend some random loser.”

I slammed my locker shut and spun around to face her.  “Has it occurred to you maybe that’s why I haven’t been talking to you guys?  All you ever talk about is yourselves or picking on other people.  Maybe I’ve had a change of heart and don’t find victimizing innocent people fun anymore.”

Her jaw dropped slightly before she recovered. “Excuse me? That’s not all we do, Joey. When did you get all high and mighty?  You’re too good for that all of a sudden?”

“I know I’m better than putting other people down, so if that’s what you guys are about, then yes. I have to go, Haley,” I said briskly before shoving my way past her and heading to my first class.  Making my way down the hallway, I began to feel my anger towards my old friends ebb as my excitement to see Harry began to grow, the weight in my stomach returning. 

By the time I was about to walk in the door, I felt as though my heart was going to beat out of my chest.  Immediately upon entering the room, my eyes were glued to him, hunched over in his seat, face resting on his open palms, pressing into his eye sockets.  His hair was still in his usual style, puffed up in the front and slicked over to the side.  I grinned at his position, as if he was afraid of people seeing him sitting there without his glasses. 

When I walked over and sat down next to him, he sat up abruptly and looked over at me, green eyes wide and clear as they locked on my own.  I gasped a little bit, still shocked by how beautiful he was.  My eyes held his as I smiled at him, greeting him with a hello, which he quietly returned.  He was clearly still extremely embarrassed about what had happened last night, because he was already blushing.

“I have something of yours, but I’m very strongly considering not giving them back,” I said, grinning at his beautiful face. 

“Oh r-really?  And why is that?” he asked nervously.  I just smiled at him, not answering and continuing to look in his eyes, reveling in his for once steady gaze.  I crinkled my nose a little in amusement.  He had no idea, absolutely no idea how mesmerizing he was.  After a few more seconds of looking at each other, I smirked slightly before turning to grab his glasses out of my bag.  He looked slightly relieved when I pulled them out and handed them to him.  As he took them out of my hand, his thumb brushed against mine slightly, causing him to blush slightly.

“You’re adorable,” I told him, his cheeks positively flaming now.  He looked away from me and started fidgeting with his glasses before sliding them into his bag and mumbling his thanks.  Confused, I asked, “Aren’t you going to wear them?”

“I’ve got contacts in,” he explained.

“I thought you didn’t have contacts?” I cocked my head to the side, still examining him.

“I do, I-I just hardly ever wear them.” 

“You should more often.  Not that I don’t love your glasses, but your eyes are too beautiful to keep covered up,” I said honestly.

“Th-thank you,” he muttered again, blush still very present on his face along with just a hint of a smile.  He was saved by our teacher standing up to start class.  He focused very hard on what he was saying for the entire class, never once looking over at me or writing any notes to me.  At the very end of class, I couldn’t keep quiet any longer. 

What are you doing tomorrow night?” I whispered quietly.

“Um… I don’t know, why?” he whispered back nervously.  Suddenly the bell rang, signaling that we could go.  I brought my voice back up to a normal volume.

“Want to do something?”

“You mean work on the project?” he asked.

“No, just something.  Hang out like normal people?” I smirked, sensing his nerves growing. 

“Um, a-alright,” he stuttered. “What are we gonna do?”

I just shrugged and smiled. “I don’t know, we can figure something out.”

“Um, okay.”

“Can’t wait,” I told him, finally managing to make him smile a little bit.  “See you later?”

He nodded at me before exiting the room to head to his next class.  As I packed up my bag, I felt someone move next to me.  Looking up, I saw that it was Lydia.

"Hey,” she said.

“Lydia,” I said shortly.

“So um… I just wanted to say sorry.  For what I’ve said and how I’ve acted.  I can’t speak for anyone else but I just feel bad,” she said, sounding sincere.  I sighed.  For her to apologize meant a lot.  It definitely wasn’t her style.

"It’s fine, Lyd, I just don’t want to deal with that kind of shit anymore.  I won’t,” I resigned.

“I really am.  You’re right, we’ve been dicks lately.  Forgive me?” she raised her eyebrows hopefully.  I sighed before answering.

“Yeah, yeah.  I forgive you,” I smiled, hoping she really meant it.

“Yay!” she clapped her hands together.  “So does that mean you’ll still come to my party Saturday?”

I had completely forgotten she was having a party.  What with me tuning everyone out recently, I must have missed all the constant chatter about it.  It really was the last thing I wanted to do, but I knew I probably should go if she was making an effort to make things right.  “Sure, of course I’ll be there.”

She squealed a little in delight, grasping my shoulder excitedly.  “Thank god! I was worried you wouldn’t want to come.”

I slowly smiled at her, reassuring her that I’d be there.  As walked out of the room and said goodbye as we went our separate ways in the hall.  By the time lunch rolled around, I was starving and feeling a little more optimistic about my friends.  If Lydia had apologized, maybe Haley would too.  I knew Colt would never, and to be honest, I was basically done with him forever. 

I sat down at the table with Jack, Will, and Lydia.  Haley was apparently not there yet, and again, no sign of Colt.  Jack and Will both smiled at me as I sat down.  It wasn’t an apology, but it was at least a friendly gesture.  And, to be fair, they hadn’t really done anything, just gone along with others.  They probably had no idea I was mad and felt no need to apologize. 

Lunch today was much more pleasant than it had been all week.  We talked about the party, how excited everyone was, what their plans were for Friday.  When they asked me if I wanted to join them for a movie, I told them I already had plans.

“You do? With who?” Jack questioned.  It was unusual for any of us to do something without the group.

"Um… Harry,” I said quietly, watching closely for their reactions.

"Harry?  That kid you’re partners with in biology?” Lydia asked, clearly trying to keep her tone neutral after her apology.

"Yeah, that’s the one,” I replied.

“You’re working on your project on a Friday night?” she questioned further.

"No, just hanging out.”

"WHAT?” all three of them said, like I had just announced I was moving to Asia. “You’re hanging out with him, just to hang out?” Will countered.

"Yep, sure am,” I said, quickly growing weary of their shocked tones.

“That, um, that sounds like fun, Jo,” Lydia said, desperately now trying to keep her tone.  I appreciated her effort, despite being able to see her underlying distaste.

"I think so.”  After that, Will changed the subject to deciding what movie they should see, and I tuned out again.  I had just told my friends I was planning on hanging out with Harry, and while they had been shocked, they weren’t rude.  This was a step in the right direction, as far as I was concerned.  A small step, but a step nonetheless.