I really wanted to see Brynn and go to the yearbook office but today I was a man on mission. A secret mission, that if I get caught could very well get me expelled. Wouldn't that be the scandal of the day?

Finn Nash, soon to be named valedictorian, star basketball player, all around good guy goes down in flames when he's caught snooping through school records to find his best friend's girlfriend's phone number, who by the way, just so happens to be his English Teacher.

My Mom would have my head handed to me on a platter for doing this but I couldn't get what Tyler said out of my mind. It really bothered me. I kept going back over the scenario and they were wrong but so was I, and I needed to put it right.

I quickly opened the locked cabinet that contained the teacher's personal files. Yes, it was locked and yes, I stole the key. I left the activities office under the guise of needing to go to the yearbook office only to end up in my Mom's office.

Vice Principal Nolen didn't bat an eye at me going into my Mom's office because she is...well my Mom. I knew she kept the keys in her desk and I knew I had to be quick because my Mom would be back the moment announcements were over.

I find Sierra's home and cell number, I even copy her address into my phone, just in case things have to go that far but I'm hoping they won't. I lock everything up and put back the keys and now my only problem is thinking up some reason I came to see my Mom.

I can't just leave; as Mr. Nolen will undoubtedly mentioned I was in her office.

Damn, I suck at this.

I am really a lousy liar. I hate lying actually which was probably why I had such a reaction to Sierra asking if I was going to tell my Mom or not. I knew to keep their secret means lying to her and here I am about to do it again.

Oh what a tangled web we weave....

I tell my brain to shut up and think.

I hear her voice come over the loudspeaker.

"Tickets will be on sale starting Monday for Midsummer's Night Dream. Ticket purchases will be limited to four per student. Tickets will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. So, be sure to get them sooner than later.

The Debate team won their debate on Global Warming against North Prep. Congratulations this win gets them into the semifinals. We are all very proud.

Today after school don't forget our pep-rally for our Lenape Leopards, come and cheer on our school's basketball team, and get them revved up for tonight's game. Go Leopards!"

Well that was it, she was done and so was I as I had nada, not a single reason to be standing in my Mom's office. I'm a goner.

"We have a meeting. Some parents coming in this afternoon, who will want a tour of the school, just recently moved into the area. You up for it?"

"Sure, Veronica. I'll take care of it." I hear Mr. Nolen say.

She's back.

She opens the door and looks at me surprised.

"Hello you? To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"I...I a..." Nothing.

My Mom's eyebrow rises as she expectantly waits for me to finish a sentence I don't even know how to start.

"I just wanted a chance to say how great you are and how much I love you!"

She melts immediately and comes over to hug me, and I feel like a total dirt bag.

She pulls away. "I know things have been pretty rough on you lately. You are dealing with some major issues with Brynn and all. I'm really proud of you. "

Just dig a hole and throw me in.

"Not to mention school and the pressure your Father and I put on you but you always give us your best and well, I think you're pretty great too," she says and ruffles my hair, which she knows I hate but I allow it. Right now, all I really want to do is disappear.

"Thanks, Mom. For everything. What you've done for Brynn, me...just everything."

"You're welcome," she says beaming at me. "Now, you better get going. The bell is about to ring."

I give her a quick kiss on the cheek and get out her office as quick as I can.

Mr. Nolen smiles at me when I pass but I can't quite get myself to return it. "Go Leopard!" he says pumping his fist into the air.

I try a halfhearted smile and mimic his motion, "Yeah, go Leopards!"

I feel like I just placed a fifty-pound weight on my chest. It is literally hard to breathe. I shake it off. I have a job to do. I'll have to wait until study hall but I plan on getting a call into Sierra before tonight's game. I have to find a way to talk to the two of them, alone.

I really don't need this much stress especially before a game, but that's life. I'll just have to deal. I go to my locker to switch out my books for the afternoon.

I shut the door and nearly jump when I see Jessica's face staring at me. Really? Isn't today bad enough.

That sickly sweet smile is plastered on her face. "Hello Finn," she says in that annoying sing song way she has.

"Jess," I say and immediately begin walking away.

"So, I was wondering?" She skips along to keep up with me. "Is your girlfriend going to be at the game tonight?"

She stops me in my tracks. Brynn. She will be there and so will Jessica. Oh, hell!

"I would love to meet her," she says now trying to keep up with my long strides when I start walking faster. I just want to get away from her.

Is it just me or is my life becoming a series of wanting to run away from things. When did this happen?

"Too bad," I say, lying yet again. "I guess you'll just have to wait a while longer."

She stops walking as we've passed her classroom and then yells out, "I will find out, Finn! It's just a matter of time!"

I keep walking and just wave her off, not bothering to look at her as I feel the daggers in my back.

If you're keeping count that would be the third drop-dead look I got before noon.

I close my eyes and sigh as I turn the corner.

I hit something solid and on instinct reach out to grab hold of the object in question.

"Thank God!" I hear.

"Brynn? Aren't you supposed to be in art class?" I say shocked she's here staring at me, although I am elated to see her face. Somehow, just seeing her makes everything better.

"Screw Art Class! Where were you?" she says and I realize she is upset with me.

What is going on today?

Is it National We Hate Finn Nash Day and I didn't get the Facebook post?

"What do you mean? I showed up at your stop. You weren't there. I got to spend my morning with Adam and you know how much HE loves me."

She waves my words off like it doesn't matter what I just said.

"Gran drove me to school, it's pouring outside, but what happened at the activities office?"

I smile. She's gotten use to me already showing up at yearbook. She is upset that she was there and I wasn't.

I hug her.

She just stands still in my embrace.

I let go and look down at her. "Sorry, I needed that."

She frowns up at me. "Is everything okay?"

"Truthfully? No, but I am hoping to fix it but it's a wait and see process."

She hugs me this time. "I'm sorry Finn. If things are too complicated for you and you want to cancel tonight, I totally understand."

It takes me a moment to process that she thinks I'm upset over her.

"No, no, no. This isn't about you."

She pushes away from me.

"Seriously, you're going to blow me off with a it's not you but me speech?"

And she's back to being angry with me again. This day sucks!

"What I am TRYING to say is that it's Tyler not you that I'm upset about."

"Oh," Brynn looks away rather sheepishly. "Sorry for jumping to conclusions. I'm just not use to all of this."

She waves her hand to encompass the length of my form and I frown. What does that even mean? She is back to speaking Brynn speak leaving me baffled and confused once more.

She looks at me and looks distraught for a moment.

"I love that you want to be with me, Finn. I just can't figure out why? And to be honest I feel a little like I'm in a guillotine waiting for the blade to drop."

"Okay? That's a bit graphic. Why does being with me have to result in you dying in some horrible way?"

"I just don't let myself have things like this. They all... you know, go away."

Things like this? Go away?

Realization dawns. She is use to all her relationships ending badly or just disappearing on her. Her Mom. Her Dad. Her Gran. Now she trying to prepare for the day it's me.

I am already really late for class. The hall is just about cleared out. I look across the way and the chem lab is empty. The bell rings for the start of class. Well it's official, I'm screwed there, and will probably have to come up with another lie to cover myself.

",when first we practice to deceive." I hate you brain.

Well I guess that makes it official. It really is National We Hate Finn Nash Day. I have even begun to hate myself.

I take Brynn's hand and lead her into the empty classroom.

She looks at me confused. I look down at her and think.

"I can't promise you, forever, Brynn. That would be a lie. And I am getting pretty sick of lying. I can promise you today, and everyday you decide you want me in your life. I will not walk away. If this ends, it ends because of you."

"Or circumstances out of both our control," I amend thinking of everything going on with her Father. "But the one thing that will not end us, is me."

I take her face in my hands and I kiss her, trying I hope to show her with more than words, she's become a part of me, a part I can't be without.

I taste her tears, and pull away. Wiping them away with the pad of thumbs, I look at her hoping to see some kind of recognition that what I'm saying is sinking in. And then I see her smile.

"Now, I have to get to class, can't afford a detention. I have a game tonight."

"And a date." She tells me, like I need the reminder.

"And a date with the most beautiful girl in this school."

"You're stupid."

"You just may be right about that but it still doesn't make me wrong." I give her a quick kiss, and dash off to class.