NICK'S P.O.V

I threw on my clothes and ran downstairs, shoving toast in my mouth. I sprinted upstairs to brush my teeth and grab my school bag. I didn't even have time to wake my mum up to make sure she ate her breakfast too. I overslept. I turned my phone on and saw 23 missed calls from Safya. Then I saw the messages.

Saf: Nick I've called you 20 times! I knocked on your door but you haven't answered.

Saf: Nick we're going to be late!

Saf: Is something wrong? Nick, please call me!

Saf: That's it. I've called you 3 more times and I'm not leaving without you.

Saf: Nick I'm gonna miss the deadline for my Photography Project!

Saf: Nick CALL ME

Saf: We're late now Nick. What's taking you so long?

Saf: Nick I'm leaving in 5 minutes.

I looked out of the window and saw that Safya was there, an unreadable expression on her face. I ran outside to her.

"Saf I'm so sorry! I overslept an-", I started.

Safya pulled on my arm and dragged me along. "There's no time, Nick! My deadline!"

Despite our efforts, we still missed the deadline so Safya failed her project. I felt so much guilt. She wouldn't talk to me for the whole day. So I decided to make it right.

"Miss Brooks, can I talk to you please?", I asked, knocking before I spoke. Miss Brooks is Safya's teacher so I figured talking to her would help.

Miss Brooks smiled. "Of course, Nick. What is it?"

"Safya's worked SO hard on her Project. She always puts her heart and soul into her Art and I know you know it. So please, give her another chance", I begged.

Miss Brooks frowned and sighed. "Nick she missed the deadline. I'm sorry but I have to fail her"

"But she's always on time! It was my fault, honestly. I overslept and we always leave together. She was worried about me because I didn't answer her texts. Please Miss Brooks", begged Nick.

After a few seconds, Miss Brooks spoke. "Fine. Only because she's always on time with her work. If she brings it to me first thing tomorrow morning I'll give her a Grade"

Nick smiled gratefully, rushing to hug her before stopping awkwardly. "Uh, thanks Miss! You won't regret this!"

Lily turned her head away from the window. She flopped down on the sofa with a sigh.

"Are you ok, Lily?", asked Harper, walking in. She had a box of pizza and 2 cans of fizzy drink.

"Miss C, what should I do? That boy and girl... Nick and Safya went out earlier. Am I going out too?", asked Lily.

Harper shook her head gently. "No Lily, you're not. They have school. They'll be back later but they will be busy with homework and their jobs"

"What's homework?", asked Lily, curiously.

Before Harper could answer, the house phone made a noise. Harper did nothing as the phone rang. She held a finger to Lily's lips, showing that she needed to be quiet.

"1 new voicemail. Harper? It's me Derek. Have you heard about M1RA? Professor Croft wants to see ya, to talk about it. You haven't been in for 2 days. What's up with ya? Call back when you get this"

Harper sighed, rubbing her forehead when the voicemail ended. She took a pizza out and started eating it, nibbling at the crust.

Lily copied her, turning her pizza and eating the crust. Harper saw her and couldn't help but let out a small laugh. She turned the pizza so that the corner was facing her mouth. "That's better"

"But you ate it from that part first?", said Lily, pointing to the crust.

"Yeah well that's because I was being daft. I didn't even notice", said Harper, eating it the usual way she would.

"Is it because of Doctor Michaels? It sounded like him", asked Lily, putting her pizza down. This had been her first time eating without Harper's help. She did a pretty good job, though she nearly spilled her drink down her top.

Harper nodded. "Yeah that was him. It doesn't matter though Lily. It wasn't because of him. I just wasn't thinking straight"

Lily nodded, clearly wanting to ask more questions but decided not to.

"Come on Lily, take some more. I'll have to give some to the neighbours if there's a lot left", said Harper.

Lily nodded and took 1 more slice. She smiled to herself when she thought of something.

"Guess who got your deadline extended?", asked Nick, after he rushed to find Safya. She was sat by the huge Oak Tree in the park. Safya and Nick went there sometimes, to do school work or just have a chat.

Safya looked up from her book, confusion on her face. "Nick if this is a joke I-", started Safya.

"- no joke at all. I talked to Miss Brooks, explaining that it was my fault. She said that if you give it to her in the morning she'll accept it and give you a grade", said Nick.

Safya jumped up and hugged Nick. "Oh my God Nick I love you! Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou!", she exclaimed, laughing as Nick spun her around.

Nick finally stopped and put her down, a huge smile on his face. He ran a hand through his hair.

"Do you want to get some ice cream? I'll pay, to say sorry for being a bit of a bìtch", suggested Safya.

Nick shook his head. "You have nothing to be sorry for, I shouldn't have overslept. I will accept the ice cream offer though", he said with a chuckle towards the end. "When?"

Safya laughed. "Uh, 7:30 tomorrow?", suggested Safya.

Nick smiled. "Sounds good"

The pair walked back to their houses together.