I walk into third hour which is algebra. I sit down in the back and watch as someone walks in. That someone was Benny Rodriguez.

Now let me tell you the truth. I don't really like him as more than a friend. Sure he's cute but that doesn't mean I like him. I like him as a friend.

He sits in the row in front of me and to the right. He sits down and puts his textbook on his desk. Two of my friends from the cheer team sit beside me and taunt me because I was looking at him.

"Shut up," I tell them.

Benny turns his head to look at me. I smile and wink at him. He turns back around and my friends giggle.

"You've got a shy one there, Joce," Hailee says.

"Shut up!" I tell her.

"It's true!" Baylee exclaims.

"Shut up!" I tell her.

The bell rings and more students pour into the room. The teacher walks in and sighs.

"Algebra is fun isn't it?" Mr Fritz says.

We all groan and he laughs.

"I know, I know," he says.

Class starts and I don't pay attention the whole time.

<>¥Benny¥<>

After school, I quickly gather all my stuff and speed walk towards the front of the school. Before I could step down the steps, a kid runs into me causing us both to drop our stuff.

"Watch where you're going next time, Rodriguez," a familiar voice says.

I groan and look at the kid.

"Watch your mouth Phillips," I snap.

He rolls his eyes and we both pick up our stuff. Before I could walk off, he walks past me and bumps his shoulder into mine. I shake my head and start walking off to see all my friends waiting for me.

"So," DeNunez says when I reach them. "We saw you talking to Jocelyn Mertle this morning eh?"

I shrug.

"Sure."

We walk off and everybody keeps asking me questions.

<><><><><><><><><>

"SQUINTS!" I yell.

He nods and I hit a pop fly to him. He catches it then throws it to Bertram at second.

"Nice!" Ham exclaims while catching the ball.

He tosses me it and I look around when I see a kid in the back. I squint my eyes and realize that's the kid moving across the street from me.

"TOMMY!"

He nods and I hit the ball way past him. It's heading towards that kid and he isn't paying attention.

"WATCH OUT!" Ham screeches.

The kid turns around and looks up. He panics and puts his glove up. The ball crashes down on him and he falls to the side.

"Oh my god!" Squints says between laughter.

Everybody else continues to laugh except me. The kid stands up and tries to cover his face with his hat before running off the field. I sigh.

"Okay! Let's just get back to practice!"

<><><><><><><><><>

"After school tomorrow!" I tell everyone.

They all nod as we finally leave. I grab all my stuff and start making my way back to my house. As I'm walking, someone runs into me and we both fall. I rub my head and look at who the person was.

"Man, we got to stop bumping into each other!" Jocelyn exclaims.

I chuckle and get up. I help her up and grab my stuff.

"What are you doing here?" I ask.

"I live in this neighborhood! Do you?"

I nod.

"Yeah. I didn't know you did."

She shrugs.

"Well now you know."

I smile.

"Hey Benny," she says.

"Yeah?"

"You know you're kinda cute right?" She asks, pulling a small strand of my hair out of my face.

I freeze and she laughs.

"Priceless!"

I give her a puzzled look.

"What?"

"It's fun to see a guy's reaction when you flirt with them. That was hilarious! You should've seen your face!"

I look down and manage a small chuckle.

"Anyways, I gotta go. See you tomorrow at school?" She says.

I nod.

"Yeah."

She nods and starts running the other direction. I shake my head.

I'm not falling for this girl.