"Vega, come on! You don't want to be late!" my dad's voice booms from
downstairs. Even though I can't see him I know he's probably standing at the foot of the staircase, his hands resting firmly on his hips, and impatiently tapping his foot against the hardwood floor.

"I'm almost done!" I yell back, my voice cracking slightly from my tiredness as well as the hour-long crying fit I had last night.

Cupping my hands I scoop a handful of the warm water from my bathroom sink and splash it onto my face in an effort to reduce the redness and puffiness of my eyes. Looking up into the mirror I sigh and shake my head when I see some redness still lining the underpart of my eyes. My throat tightens at the memory of me curled up in my bed, my legs tangled in my blanket as my body wracked with sobs, Seth's words running loops in my mind over and over and over again until exhaustion eventually took me over.

It wasn't only Seth's cruel words that led to my fit, my self-despair at being so naive and desperate to be liked which led to this happening played a major part in this endeavour. I can't believe I was so naive enough to think that I guy like Seth, cute and popular, would be interested in me. Sadly that wasn't the worst part of last night's encounter. The revelation that Seth was only trying to sleep with me was immediately followed by the discovery that Toby was as well. This made everything so much worse, not only was I being fooled and ticked by one boy, but two. I never thought I could sink into any new kind of lows in my life, but like always I managed to surprise even myself.

"Vega, last warning!" my dad yelled yet again but this time it was different, he wasn't annoyed, he was getting angry.

Anger surged within me, it caused my blood to boil but this time something... something felt different. Usually, when I get angry my skin feels hot and a blood-red blush creeps up my cheeks. This time was different, every nerve in my body and fiber of my skin grew deathly cold. I was almost too scared to look down in fear that instead of my milky white flesh I would see a sheet of ice covering my insides from the world.

"I said I'm coming!"

Draining the sink I slung my bag over my shoulder and rushed down the stairs and toward the kitchen where my parents were anxiously waiting for me.

"What took you so long?"

"I didn't get much sleep last night," I groan, not wanting to give him any more information not only because I didn't want to admit to my father that I went on a date last night but I was too worried that if I went into it I would start crying.

"Okay, well we better get going if you want to get to school on time," my dad says in between gulping down the last of his coffee.

"Don't I get breakfast first?" I ask.

"You should have thought about that before you took so long in the bathroom," he shot at me as he picked up his briefcase, kisses my mom on the cheek and headed toward the car.

"Seriously," I huff and slam my hands against the counter.

My mom sends a warm smile my way while she hands me the old green lunch bag I used when I was in elementary school.

"I made you a peanut butter and jelly sandwich that you can snack on in the car."

For the first time since last night, I smile and I happily take the sandwich.

"Bye, Mom," I quietly mumble and plant a long and loving kiss on her cheek.

"Goodbye, honey," She gave me a small smile. Right before I could turn and walk away she reaches out and gently grabs my arm and pulls me back. "Chocolate always helped me when someone broke my heart," she whispers.

Once again tears well up in the corners of my eyes but before they can escape I wipe them away with the sleeve of my brand-new pink jersey that makes me look like a marshmallow, at least according to my mom.

"Thanks," I mumble under my breath.

Her hands move away from my lower arm and up to my shoulders, her cold fingers wrapping around the thin fabric of my jersey. One hand holds me firmly in place while the other moves up and down in a comforting motion. My glassy gaze shifts upward locking with her green eyes glowing with concern and sadness.

"If you need to talk—"

"After school," I interrupt her, then plant one more kiss on her cheek before rushing outside to my dad.

Throughout the whole car ride, I had one earphone placed loosely in my right ear, my phone playing No Tears Left To Cry by Ariana Grande a song that had helped me after many crying fits. As I listened to the song I munched on the sandwich my mother had made for me. Crumbs from the bread fell down my shirt creating that irritating sensation as they ran down my skin but I didn't pay much attention to this, my focus was firmly set on the school that was quickly approaching.

A large part of me didn't want to go into the school, purely because I knew that I would have to see Seth and Toby during my home period and mathematics. Twice on the same day, I would have to look at them, five days a week for a year. Needless to say, I'm not looking forward to that.

Even before the car had come to a halt my dad unlocked the car and says, "Have a great day honey."

As soon as the car eventually stops I open the door and hop out.

"You too," I say with a small smile.

As my dad drives away, I look down at the time displayed on my phone screen. Only six minutes until the bell rings, so with very little time to waste I bolt into the building and to my locker. I barely pay much attention as to which books I shove into my bag and the second I close my bag the bell rings, the shrill sound echoing through the halls.

"Just in time," I whisper to myself and push my way into the crowd heading toward my classroom.

Walking into the class was the first time since entering the school that the events of last night played in my head. For six whole minutes, I walked around blissfully unaware of my problems, that was until I saw them. Seth leans back in his chair looking as handsome as he normally does glaring daggers at Toby who is his normally cocky self and smirking back at him.

With my cheeks flushed with embarrassment and my head bent low I slowly make my way to my desk. The class around me echoes with the students whispering to each other, all talking about the party last night and the activities they got up to.

"Alright everyone take your seats!" Mrs. Fallen yells over all the muffled voices.

Once everyone took their seats Mrs. Fallen began the morning as she always did by telling us about the events going on at the school for this week and reminding us all about college applications that like winter were quickly approaching.

Normally I would pay much more attention, especially to college applications as I've been waiting for Yale to release their applications, but this time my focus was purely on the staring contest going on between Seth and Toby. As their eyes were locked in a heated battle a different kind of heat was rising in the air surrounding everyone. The inside of the classroom which only a few minutes ago felt like a mini fridge was suddenly close to the same temperature as what I think a sauna feels like. For a second I thought I was going crazy but then I saw other students fanning themselves with their hands or any flat object they could grab hold of.

Jade was looking back at me and for a brief second, I even thought Mrs. Fallen was looking in the direction of the two boys. Silently I watch their staring contest go on and on and on until suddenly Seth's hate-filled gaze shifts from Toby toward me.

The sauna-like heat continues to rage around the room but it doesn't even bother me because just like this morning when I became angry with my father that strong sensation of ice filled my veins.

"Can I help you?" I whisper to him, unable to stand his glaring any longer.

"Why didn't you tell me Toby had already approached you?"

My hands curl into fists and I swear I can feel my fingertips start to freeze.

"Why the hell would I have to tell you that when there wasn't anything happening between him and me?"

"I'm just saying it would have been nice to know, that way I wouldn't have had to waste my time, you know what I think I'm owed an apology for that."

It was only by the grace of God that I managed to keep my laughter at bay and my fist from connecting with his smug face.

"I seriously can't believe you, you were the one using me and you think I owe you an apology," I scoff.

"Yeah," he says his face showing no sign that he is joking.

"You're unbelievable."

"How about we make a deal, let's never speak to each other again."

"Oh, I can definitely do that."

"Great."

"Great," I mumble.

I've always enjoyed starting the day with English. It's cathartic and relaxing which is exactly the kind of first lesson I need. I thought things would be hard when Nicci was transferred to a different class but I managed to find my footing pretty quickly. Besides, now I can actually think without being talked to all the time. 

Looking around my classroom my brows furrow with confusion when I see the empty seat next to me.

"Where's Judy?" I ask the boy next to me.

"She left for another school, but I heard we're getting a new addition to the class today," he whispers.

"From another school?" I ask silently praying for the answer to be yes because I'm going, to be honest, I hate still being the new girl.

He shakes his head.

"No someone from another class. The teacher can't stand him anymore and this is the only English class he hasn't been in."

"Oh Lord, I wonder who could be that terrible that nobody else wants him," I gasp.

"Mr. King so nice of you to join us."

My eyes widen as I turn my attention to the doorway where Seth is nonchalantly leaning against the doorframe.

"Oh God no," I sigh.

"Where do I sit?" he drones as he slings his bag from one shoulder to the other.

"Next to Ms. Kate right here in the front," the teacher says pointing to the seat right next to me.

"Great," he growls through clenched teeth.

"Great," I mumble.

While glaring daggers at me, Seth reluctantly slips into the seat next to me and starts playing with one of his pencils.

"Okay class, it's time for our first project of the year. I will be assigning all of you in pairs and you and your partner will have two weeks to write a skit that will help spread awareness of a current world problem. The top five skits will be posted on the note boards outside the class for all your peers to see. Now are there any questions?"

Nobody raised their hands.

"Okay, now here are your partners," She picks up a checkboard and begins to read the list of assigned partners. "The first pair is Vega Kate and Seth King."

A sickening feeling of dread formed in the pit of my stomach, two weeks is a long time to work with a partner on a school project but it will feel even longer with Seth.

Completely in synch Seth and I turn our hate-filled glances at one another.

"Looks like our agreement is going to be a little difficult," I nervously chuckle.

Shifting in his seat he leans a bit closer to me.

"Let's just get this stupid thing over with then we can get back to our deal," he hisses.

I roll my eyes at his aggressiveness.

"That sounds good to me."

Have you ever had a partner from hell?