I heard about them before I saw them. Whispers about Max and Emily seem to be getting more frequent as I walked down the corridor.

"...Did you see how Emily was acting?..."

"...Max seemed to score with her..."

"...I didn't expect them to go together..."

Finally I set my eyes on them. Emily was leaning against the wall whilst Max was towering over her. He was playing with a piece of her hair whilst she clutched her books to her chest. Emily giggled at something Max said and, who had a grin of his own. They both seemed to be in their own bubble oblivious to the reaction around them. I hope Emily hasn't become one of those mindless girls from her books...

I narrowed my eye and marched forward for answers that no one but them would have. They didn't seem too notice my approach. What did I miss in the last 48 hours?

"Boo." Max and Emily jolted back to reality. Max and Emily shuffled apart like they had been caught doing something they shouldn't have. Calm down, lovey-dovey staring isn't very scandalous...

"Hey Ella! How are you?" Emily's voice was slightly high pitched. Max gave that weird greeting nod that boys usually do. It's times like this I wish I could raise one eyebrow.

Instead I said in an overly cheerful voice, "I'm fine thank you, do you guys want to tell me something?"

"You tell her," Max spoke before disappearing into the crowds.

"Tell me what?" I asked. I have a pretty good idea but let's see her squirm for a bit.

"Max is my boyfriend. I have to get to help out. Bye!" She quickly said before she rushed away.

"Hey! I wasn't done," I shouted at Emily's figure, as she merged with the crowds.

Fortunately she was lucky to get away for now because she was too busy helping with the charity ball so I didn't see her in class but I would eventually corner her.

School seemed to be an even more futile task as teachers just assigned questions from the textbooks because it seemed impossible to attempt to teach at this point of the week. The talks were repetitive as people started to brag about their outfits, dates and hairstyle. I don't even know how many people have picked a red dress from the amount of times I've heard about it.

Max and Emily were the only new couples to arise today. The gossip was crazy and the noise was endless. By midday I felt a headache approaching. Don't these people have anything better to talk about?

Apparently not...

Eventually I got ahold of Emily at lunch but by then I wasn't really in the mood to interrogate her thoroughly so I used a different approach. Lull her into a false sense of security.

We sat down to have lunch, Max nowhere to be seen. All day I had seen these two attached at hip whilst I was travelling between classes. He must be busy to be dragged away from Emily.

"Emily," I dragged out her name, "my head hurts."

I wasn't actually lying. Emily handed me a sealed bottle of water. She looked worried as if she expected me to ask more about Max straight off the bat.

"Drink. Dehydration is usually the cause of many headaches," she commanded instead. That didn't stop my whining as I closed my eyes and placed my head on the table. So much noise.

"Why won't these people stop taking?" I muttered.

"Excitement," Emily replied rationally. Nobody likes rationality when in pain.

"It's not going to matter in ten years. A bit of piece of quiet would be better," I complained bitterly.

"It's fun."

"Why is it fun?" I questioned in the same tone.

"Well you get to get dressed up and have a date and look pretty..." she started. I'm not fond of dresses so scratch that off, nor am I fond of hanging out with a random guy all evening as an accessory so scratch that off too and I hate make up so scratch off pretty too.

"How do you even get a date?" I mumbled more to myself than Emily but apparently that's all it took for her to spill about Max. This new tactic worked even better than I thought...

"Well Max and I got talking about tutoring for maths and then one thing led to another so he asked me on a date, as you know." I nodded for her to continue. I started sipping water from the bottle.

"Well, on Wednesday he took me on a date as you know. We had a picnic which was so romantic. He had a basket and everything. He set the blanket down and helped me sit. He was such a gentleman..."Emily drifted off. She was probably reliving the date. And they call it puppy love...

She blushed lightly before continuing, "...And then he asked me to be his date to the ball. He had gave me a rose. He's so sweet."

"Aww, that's so awesome." I managed to input. She's left out the juicy parts!

"And then yesterday we were talking and he blurted out that he wanted me to be his girlfriend. I was shocked so he started apologising but I said yes! Afterwards he confessed he wanted to ask me at the ball but he couldn't wait."

"Actually that's really cute," I said as I imagined the whole situation. It's good to know Max is genuine and not some charming player.

"So are you looking for a date? I can help you," Emily enquired innocently.

I chocked on my water.

"No, no. I'm alright. I'm not even sure if I'm going to go. You know it's very likely I won't go," I spluttered out. A date? No thanks. That's too much work.

"Aww, but if you change your mind about a date, I'm sure Max can help you get one. I don't think everyone on the basketball team has a date," she trailed off.

"I'm fine. I'll let you know if I change my mind." I smiled reassuringly. I suppose I should thank the small mercies her. For example, she isn't nagging now she's bedazzled by Max.

"Oh okay, well I'll let you know all the gossip from the evening if you don't come." she said but was cut off by the bell before she could continue.

"Duty calls Ella." Emily left to go help. I, on the other hand, decided to go hide in the library for the rest of the day seeing as it was unlikely that I would miss any real work. Bookshelves are really good a blocking sunlight.

I found a table near the back which was hidden behind some bookshelves so the Librarian doesn't see me and kick me out. I decided to settle down and have a nap. I got comfy and took out my phone to set an alarm. Once I'm done here, I can go sleep at home.

I set my alarm and closed my eyes ready to sleep when my phone vibrated. I groaned but decided to check. Another text from CC! At this point I sat up. Goodbye sleep.

Congratulations on completion your project with us. You will receive a letter from one of your teachers on further details on how we will go about reviewing your work. Be sure to follow the instructions.
-CC

~*~

Nap time is the best time.