Second period seemed to feel 10 times longer than English. I had more people I knew in that class. A girl named Katie was in my math class last year and we were sort of friends so when we checked over answers we paired up. I was just relieved that Ryder, Locker D-23, and the redhead weren't in this class with me. It feels like a weight's been taken off my shoulders since they weren't there. The cat-eyed raven-haired girl was here though. The one who crashed into my shoulder, whether or not on purpose I still don't know. I have no idea what would give her a reason to do that considering I don't even know her name.

I felt her stare hot against my neck in my assigned seat in the front. Why did Ms. Hall have to put me in the front? Where I can be seen by everyone? The teacher, students, and people who pass by the door. Even better I'm the desk right beside the door. Where everyone can just look through and I'm the first thing they see.

I always try to find things to cope with anxiety but I can't paint or read during class. Or listen to music. Sometimes I will twist my ring that I made a couple of years ago at summer camp out of paperclips. It's become my favorite piece of jewelry that I own although my Panic! At The Disco charm bracelet is a close second.

Ms. Hall seemed to like group activities because for the second time this period we had to find a group. I can't help but think of Andy asking me to be his partner. A skinny emo kid named Johnnie asked me to be in a group with him along with Katie which made the required number of three. Out of curiosity, I look to see who the cat-eyed girl was with. Two other similar looking girls sit with her. My nerdy mind can't help but sort them into the Slytherin house in Hogwarts. I look back at my group and try to sort us. We all seem to have different personalities and appearances. We most likely wouldn't all be in the same house. I shake the thought out of my mind and get back to work.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After what feels like days, math is finally over. I can't wait to see Lily and talk about everything over lunch. Johnnie and Katie jump up when they hear the bell ring and wave me goodbye. I smile and wave back, gathering up my math supplies. As I walk out of Ms. Hall's classroom I swear I can see the raven-haired girl glaring at me. It's only a split second before she turns, her curls bouncing.

Sighing, I head to my locker to get my lunch money. I catch a glimpse of short blonde hair and immediately recognize her as Lily. A tall dark-haired boy is leaning on his locker not too far away from where Lily is. I need to get to her but I don't want Andy to see me. Quickly as I can, I loop my arm through hers and drag her away towards the direction of the cafeteria. I pull up my hood on my black jacket.

Don't notice me. Don't notice me. Don't--

"Hey, 'Blue'!" I assume that deep voice obviously coming from Andy is talking to me, referring to my hair. I get about 20 feet away, pretending not to hear him. After we get out of earshot Lily grabs my arm roughly. "Quinn, that boy was talking to you and you ignored him. Why is it always when a boy talks to you, you freak out?" I shush her.

"I'm just a little nervous, that's all."

"He sure seems to be interested in you," Lily says, waggling her eyebrows. I shove her so hard she hits the brick wall. Despite that, she's laughing. "It's nothing," I mutter. "I just met him in my English class and he asked to be my partner. And he gave me his number."

Her jaw drops. "Woah you talked to a boy and got his number? Aw, I'm so proud of you, boo!" she squeals, pulling me in for a hug. "He's an attractive one isn't he?" I laugh. "Sure, I guess so," I say, dropping my eyes to my black Converse. She shoves me, which I guess I deserved since I did the same to her. "OMG, you have SUCH a big crush on--" I smack my hand over her mouth before she screams anything else. I loop my free arm through hers again and try to get to lunch without another word.

We manage to get there without too much trouble. Lily goes to find a seat and I head towards the lunch line. I make sure to put my earbuds in before I get there. I don't wanna deal with anyone's loud lunchtime bullshit right now. "American Idiot" by Green Day blasts on full volume on my phone. Nothing here looks really appetizing. The lunch lady eyes me warily, I think she disapproves of the sound coming out of my earbuds. "If These Sheets Were The States" by All Time Low comes on and I immediately cheer up and ignore the old lady's glare. Humming and lipsyncing to the upbeat pop-punk tune, I finally settle for a piece of pizza, carrots, chips, an apple, and a water bottle. I reach into my pocket, expecting to feel a dollar bill, but I feel nothing. Seeing Lily and Andy in the hallway earlier must have distracted me.

There are two people in front of me at the register and I begin to panic. I feel a tap on my shoulder.

It's Andy. His mischevious smirk I've come to know appears again. "I can pay for you if you'd like." How'd he know that I didn't have my money? "Oh no! No, you don't have to do--" Before I can say another word he's handing the lunch lady at the cash register a five dollar bill. I look up at Andy with a mock-angry expression. "I could've just gone back to my locker you know," I remarked, unable to hide my grin.

"Yeah, I don't mind helping out a pretty girl like you, Blue."

"I didn't need the help," I laughed.

Blue. I sorta liked it. It was simple but pretty.

Lily was sitting over at Table 12 and she was waving me over. "Well, I promised my friend I'd sit with her. You're welcome to join us," I tell Andy. "Anything for you, milady," he responds in a terrible British accent which makes me giggle even harder. He's trying to be charming I see.

I take the seat next to Lily and he takes a seat next to me. Lily is trying to keep quiet but the look in her eyes makes me want to laugh out loud. She's obviously shipping us right now. But I like Ryder. And she knows that. Andy can just be a friend as if he would ever want to be more than that.

Speaking of my crush, I see him with the big-boobed supermodel, a couple of popular jocks and even Cat-Eyes. I can't help but feel the urge to join them. But I know that'll never happen. I also can't help wondering where Locker D-23 is.

One guy at our table named Ron waved Locker D-23 in our direction. I get anxious as he strides over. This will certainly be an interesting lunch.

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Chapter published: December 14, 2016
Song: Bulls In The Bronx - Pierce The Veil