Tuesday's and Thursday's have quickly become Krystal's favorite day. Blake made everything easier. It was like breathing, she could breath fine on her own but an oxygen mask helps.

Krystal entered their conjoined classed and was taken back. Blake was already there, he was sitting at their spot, working on homework.

He's early. I guess you really can teach an old dog new tricks.

As she approached, he looked up to met her eyes.

It didn't matter, it never mattered how many times I saw her, she still was just as beautiful everyday. Without even knowing, she made my heart race.

"You look nice today." Blake said simply.
"What?"
"You look nice today." He repeated. They stared at each other.

I look nice? What does that mean?

Krystals eyes dropped down to her outfit. It was something she wore all the time. A red flannel and black jeans. Nothing new, nothing different.
"Are you talking about my outfit?" She towered over him, forgetting to sit down.
"I mean, I'm no fashionista but it's nice. I was talking about you in general."
"Me?" She squeaked.
"Do you know what a compliment is?" Blake smiled widely.
"Yes." Krystal said flatly.
"You understand you're more than just your scar right? People can see past that and see you." They held gazes for a moment before she dropped her eyes and slid into her chair.

She blushing. I made Krystal Kamowski blush. I wish she could see herself as more than a walking scar. She was much prettier than that.

My scar. He said I looked nice. Blake wasn't talking about my outfit, or my scar. He was talking about me, Krystal Kamowski. Blake Hardy was looking AT me.

Krystal went to touch her scar but at the last minute adverted her hand to her hair instead. In a dreamy state, he watched her every move until the bell sounded for class to start.

Class became a volley of tender glances; never missing eye contact and sharing the same timid smile. There was more electricity between them than in a bolt of lightning.

Dating. Ted said dating. I don't think that is off the table. I don't think either of us is ready for it, but I don't think it's off the table either.

The class that sat between their joint class and lunch caused the two many annoyances. Those seemed to be the only things they could focus on, the lectures were purely background noice.

Why can't we just have lunch after? I wouldn't have to go find her or wait for her.

Is this class really necessary? Can't I just take a nap and wait for lunch? Or just cut out this class all together?

After class, Blake's eyes rapidly scanned the halls for shiny, black hair.
"Okay, seriously dude, you have got to be bonin' the girl." Blake's attention snapped to Ted.
"What?"
"Moon Girl. You gotta be banging the girl." Blake scrunched his face trying to hide his discomfort. He didn't bother correcting Ted, he was calling her Moon Girl on purpose.
"No, it's not like that. We're-"
"Friends?" Ted cut him off, he nodded. Blake was careful to avoid the word 'just' because to him, they were anything but just one thing. "You can't be friends with her." Blake stopped in his tracks.
"Why not?" Ted stopped with him.
"It's fine when you're banging a girl or whatever, she's always going to be needy and stick out like a sore thumb." Ted grumbled.
"What?" Blake snapped. "What are you talking about?"
"Krystal, she's needy man. She thinks because she has a scar that she can need the attention. Your attention!"
"You don't know what you're talking about." Blake said through gritted teeth.
"And you do?" Ted almost joked. "If you know her so well, why does she have the scar? What happened?" He crosses his arms over his chest, challenging his friend.

There were thousands of answers she had told, the only truth being to me. Her sister hit another car and she died. Krystal got the scar and the trama to go along with it.

"Exactly. You don't know anything about her."

I know more than any one about her. She finally let someone in. Me. Is it fast pace? No. Do I know every secret? Probably not. Did she blow her feelings wide open and trust me completely? As much as it pains me to think, but probably not, no.

"Just let it go." Blake finally spoke through gritted teeth.
"No, man. You need to open your damn eyes!"
"I don't need to do anything, Ted. You're the one who's making a big deal out of nothing."
"She keeps secrets and loves the attention!" Ted snapped. The boys stood two feet apart, rage pumping through them.
"You don't know her!"
"And you do?"
"Yes!" Blake hissed. "The answer is yes. If she told me secrets, they aren't mine to tell. They are still her secrets, I'm just the safe holding them."
"That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. You're just in love with the girl." Blake's chest rose and fell.

In love with the girl? Does it matter how I feel about Krystal? He was still being a douche and they are still not my secrets.

"Ever since you caught eyes with her, you were under her Moon Girl spell." Ted growled, bring Blake's thoughts back.
"That's not true. Maybe she's actually a friend, unlike some people." Ted laughed wickedly.
"Right, like she's capable of friendship. You're just a sucker for her."
"And so what if I am? So what if I care about her? So what if I want to be a person that stays in her life? Can anyone else say the same?" Blake shouted. The groups of bystanders that floated around them dipped their heads. Everyone felt shame for icing her out the way she iced them out. Krystal had good reason, no one tried to make an effort for her.  No one but Blake. "You should be ashamed of yourself, to think that you're the only person who needs someone and then make others feel bad for needing someone too. Hate me all you want, go ahead and talk about me. I don't mind. Krystal is my friend and I refuse to give up on that because you think she's less deserving than you." Blake's voice was calm. Ted looked astonished at what just came out of his 'friends' mouth. Finally, he shook his head.
"Whatever man, bye Blake." He walked off.

Ted left. He really left because he didn't get his way? He threw a temper tantrum like a child and then left. After all the years were been friends, he just left. Part of me was sad and angry for what happened but the other part, the bigger part wasn't. It was relieving to not have to entertain Ted. He was always bored and always wanted to live like today was the last day he had. I think in all this time we were slowly out growing each other and didn't notice until now. Until her.

Blake looked around at the shocked faces encasing him. A shorter girl wiggled her way to the front. The groups of people till lingered but Krystal didn't seem to notice.
"Hi." She smiled at Blake.

Yeah, I'd lose Ted over and over again a thousand times for that smile.

"Hi." He smiled down at her. Krystal looked around at the people still there.
"You'd think they'd find another hobby. This isn't reality tv." Blake chuckled.
"Some people are just like that." She nodded.

Blake seemed different. I couldn't put my finger on it so it was hard to ask about. The groups of people that were watching, seem like they've been here for awhile. Strange.

"So, I was thinking." Blake pulled her from her thoughts.
"Oh god, that's usually where things go wrong." They laughed together.
"Hey, hey, hey! It's a good idea."
"Isn't that what you said about the bottle rocket?"
"You are never allowed to talk with my sisters again. They fill your head with lies." Krystal lit with laughter.
"Oh come on," she bumped him playfully. "your just mad they spilled the dirt, making a mess of your cool guy attitude." Blake chuckled.
"You think I have one of those? A cool guy attitude."
"Everyone thinks that about you, but I know the truth," They stopped in the abandoned hall way. Krystal stood on her toes so they could look each other in the eye. Blake's pulse quickened. "You're a fake, Blake Hardy." She whispered. The ghost of a smile lingered on his lips, his eyes dropping down to her lips. There eyes met again, Krystal quickly sank back to her original height.

I could have leaned forward and kissed her, she was right there.

I just- did he- what? Blake looked like he wanted to kiss me. If I didn't pull away, I think I would have let him.

Krystal cleared her throat.
"So your idea?"
"Right!" They started to converse again.