My history teacher, who is normally quite strict, lets me off the hook, with just a warning.

"Have a seat, Mr. Nash and don't let it happen again."

I nodded and happily took my seat. Thank God, I did not have to lie again.

Tyler was in this class as well but we were not seated near each other. As I said before this teacher is very strict and would not condone two friends sitting near one another. Smart really, as History is by far my least favorite class and I would have been messing with him the entire time.

I see him sneak a peak at his phone beneath the desk. The teacher was handing out our assignment. He was completely unaware that she was headed his way. Just as she was about to approach him, I knock all of my books off my desk.

Now everyone's eyes are on me.

"Sorry, dropped my pencil," I say lamely.

Tyler looked up. Obviously surprised at how close the teacher was to him and quickly pocketed his phone.

"Looks like you dropped more than that," Mrs. Paradise stated annoyed.

"Yeah, sorry about that, too. Knocked them over trying to pick up the pencil."

"You're already on my naughty list, Mr. Nash. Keep it up and I'll rethink the detention you should have gotten earlier."

Point taken. I pick up my books and pencil and get to work.

After class, Tyler comes up to me. "Thanks for that but don't think it changes anything, because it doesn't."

I hate him being mad at me. We've been friends for so long.

At lunch things just get worse. Now it is obvious that Tyler has a problem with me, not just to me but the entire team, or at least our group which consisted of five of it's members. They tried several times to engage us in their banter and jokes, but Tyler just sat there moodily. I tried my best but my heart wasn't it.

I knew the guys were feeling the tension and that was bad. It put us all out of joint and if we were to make an impact tonight, we needed to be a team. I refused to try again to "talk" with Tyler. What I really needed to do was talk with Sierra, but the lunch period is too crowded and I had to make certain my contacting her was on the down low.

The rest of the day progressed pretty well. I did not have any more classes with Tyler and so I could just concentrate on my work. My entire body sighed when reaching Study Hall. Finally, I'll get to call Sierra.

I get a pass to use the bathroom. I pull out my phone and make a call. Of course, in line with the theme of today, it doesn't work out.

I call. I get a voicemail. I leave a message. Okay, maybe she didn't pick up because she doesn't recognize the number. I leave a message on the landline too. Still not happy with my results, I leave a text.

*Sierra, Finn. I really need to talk to you before the game tonight. If there is any way you can possibly be there, be there. I've made my decision and need to talk to you both. Please, be there.

I left a similar message on both her phones. Only I pleaded a little more, knowing she could actually hear the desperation in my voice.

Disheartened I head back to Study Hall. I would love to go to the library and write to Brynn or just chill out but I actually need this time to do school work. With all the craziness between Brynn and Tyler, I'm falling behind and that's not good.

I nearly jump from my seat when my pocket vibrates. I had silenced my phone, as it's the rule. It's killing me to know if it's Sierra and what she may have responded. I don't dare however, pull it out in class as it would be immediately confiscated and that would be very bad.

Thankfully, I did not have to wait too much longer before the bell rang.

I swipe my phone and read the message. It was from Sierra.

*Do not think that is a good idea. You need to delete these messages and my numbers. Please tell him to do the same. He won't listen to me.

Oh, crap!

So, she had gone the route of being the adult and the responsible one in the relationship. Tyler must be beside himself thinking things have ended. No wonder he hates me right now. Got to fix this!

*Sierra, I will do what you ask but he is currently not speaking with me. In fact, I'm pretty certain he plans to never speak to me again. If you care about him at all, you'll be at the game. He needs you! Please!

No response...

Really?

I can see her and Tyler have a lot in common.

The entire next class passes in a blur. Still nothing...

Now, what do I do? How do I face Tyler knowing I am directly responsible for ending his relationship? How do I pull this team together? The scouts will be watching and for some of these guys the scholarship money they would receive would mean the difference of whether or not they will be continuing on to college.

I grab my uniform and stow my books in my locker. I check my phone one last time.

Jessica comes out of nowhere and takes the phone from my hand.

"Checking out your text? Hoping your girlfriend said, hello?"

"Give me my phone, Jessica!"

She quickly navigates my phone to get to my personal texts. I would be more concerned if I hadn't just recently wiped them. Brynn doesn't even own a cell phone. So, no worries there and I had done as Sierra asked so, no problems there either.

She looks seriously annoyed when she doesn't get the payoff she is looking for.

I smirk at her. "My phone," and hold out my hand expectantly.

She hands it over and I put it in my back pocket.

"Why are you so obsessed with this?" I ask her honestly wanting to know as I just couldn't figure out why she would care if I moved on. Half the male population here at school would love to date her, just not me.

"I want us back together, Finn."

"And you think annoying the hell out me is the way to make that happen?" I ask bluntly.

She scrunches up her face and says, "No! But since you've already said I don't have a chance. Then I don't see why anyone else should either."

"So you'd be perfectly happy and leave me alone if I remained girlfriendless for the rest of the school year?"

"Boys are SO obtuse. You just don't get it."

"No, I really don't and my ability to care is fading fast, so if you plan on explaining, I would do it quickly while you still have my attention."

"You are the most popular boy in the school."

She says this like it explains everything.

I just shrug and shake my head at her, "So..."

"So," she says highly irate. "So, I can't be seen with anyone else. Anyone else would be a step down and I'd become the laughing stock of the high school, the girl who couldn't cut it. I always get what I want. That's not me, Finn. I'm not letting you ruin my reputation."

Oh, Lord.

"That's what this is about? If it makes you feel better, I'll start a rumor that you left me and then it will be my reputation everyone will focus on."

"You are SO clueless! That wouldn't work!"

"Why the hell not?" I ask losing my patience.

"Because you are such a goody-goody that people would just feel sorry for you and then I'd become the heartless "b" that dumped you!" she spat at me.

She really has given this way too much thought.

"Jess, we are just a few months from graduation, why are you trying so hard to impress a bunch of people that you'll most likely never see again?"

"I've worked for this rep for years, Finn. I'm not going to let you or anyone else ruin it for me. I will be remembered as the most popular girl in school when we graduate and not you or any little harlot you date is going to take that from me."

That's when Tyler's words echo in my head, "You can't argue with a psychopath." So, I stopped trying.

"I gotta get to the lockers and change before the rally."

"Whatever," she says and storms off to the gym.