"Look who's alive," my best friend, who loves to embarrass me, announces when I walk into the school building. "Got over your sickness?"

We walk side by side through the halls to my locker. Madaline is talking to me, but her voice drones in and out as my mind is only thinking one thing. Where's Scarlette.

"...So basically, Scarlette dropped out," Madaline's voice drones back in.

My head snaps in her direction. "What? Why would she do that?"

Madaline stops. Stares at me. "Nolan, you didn't hear a word I said!"

I laugh, sheepishly, and let her tell me about how awful school was without my being there. Apparently, the schools 'it' couple broke up causing crazy chaos throughout the entire building. Our math teacher quit because a student solved an equation he thought impossible. We now have a push-over teacher, who calls the principal every class period.

Jackson skips after second period, so Madaline was only left with Scarlette- who didn't drop out. She really did force her to stay, but never forced her to attend school in the first place. I take in all the information she gives me as we reach my locker. I put in my combination and switch my science notebooks out for my history ones. Scarlette and I don't share any classes today, so I'm secretly hoping that I see her during lunch.

The first bell rings, signifying that we only have five minutes left to get to our homeroom. It's also our first period, so we're in there for a full ninety minutes. Madaline and I also don't share many classes today, including first period. We fist bump and salute before heading off in different directions. My first class is English. English that's on the second floor. I hurry to rush up the crowded flight of stairs and stop once I get to the top. I bend over and place my hands on my knees. Wow, that's my exercise for this month.

"Um, excuse me..."

I stand up straight before turning around with my mouth in a straight line. If I open my mouth, I'll openly show that my lungs are collapsing on the inside. The girl standing in front of me stands silently, probably waiting for me to reply back. I slowly let out a breath to minimize my mini heart attack that I'm sure I'll have.

"Hi. Is there something you needed?"

She holds up a paper. "I just transferred here, so um, I was wondering if you could help me?"

I take the paper from her hands and read over her schedule. "Oh, we're in the same homeroom. Yeah, come on."

I hand the girl back her paper before turning around to lead myself, and her to our first class. We walk in silence the entire time and make it to class as the second bell rings. Classes have started. Ms. Rin ushers us to sit down as she begins to call roll. I sit in my usual seat near a window, so I can enjoy the view that nature has to offer. The girl timidly sits next to me, worried that I'll berate her for being close to me.

"You can sit," I console her. "That seat is usually empty."

"Oh, thanks," she fully sits down and places her bag next to her feet. "I'm surprised you don't remember me."

I study her face, not recognizing who she is. "Remember you?"

"Julie. We met once at that church. My mom tried to introduce us...well I guess it wasn't really a meeting- which I hope you feel better now. I mean you're in school so..."

Julie. She looks much different in casual clothing and with her hair down. I kind of feel bad now that we're actually talking. I acted like she had the plague the last time.

"Oh, Julie. Yeah, I feel better. Thank you."

"Good," she says with a smile.

I don't say anything back since Ms. Rin started the slideshow about the different ways to write an essay. I immediately lean down to take a notebook and mechanical pencil out of my book-bag. Pop quizzes are always given after every lesson, and she said any notes we take are fair game. Not many people take notes, but they cry over their quiz grades. Some have even tried to get answers from me because Ms. Rin has no problem with praising me about my good quiz scores. He actually listens to my helpful advice, she says.

The slideshow takes forty minutes because Ms. Rin had us write small examples of our main three essay styles. There were some videos thrown in there that no one really paid any attention to, until she threatened to randomly call on people to answer a question about the video. That surely got peoples attention. I noticed Julie laughing behind her hand when a guy practically lept out the window because his name was called. He was sleeping since the bell, so I doubt he even knew what the video was called.

I'm glad she's getting comfortable quickly. Sometimes being the new student isn't exactly great, or easy. Friendships and groups are already formed, and someone at least has one person to hang out with, or talk with. Julie doesn't seem like the outgoing, extroverted type, so she might not just approach a group or a random person standing in the halls. She may have just approached me because she recognizes me. Either way, I hope this year goes well for her.

For the rest of the period, I finish my history homework that was given to us a couple days ago, and due today. Mr. Akins sent it to me via email and my parents had the luxury of printing it out. It's an assignment where we write interview questions for two historical figures, and then we write answers to those questions. We have to sound like the figure themself- answering how we think they would answer. It'd be easy if you chose someone really known, but that still requires a little bit of research.

"Okay, there's five minutes left! You guys can start packing up if you'd like," Ms. Rin announces while grading papers.

I put my stuff back into my book bag and stand up with the rest of the class. We usually gravitate towards the door, so we can try and be one of the first ones out. Julie stands up after me and tugs on my sweater sleeve to get my attention. I turn around a little to see her holding up her schedule nervously.

"Point me in the direction of math class?"

"Yeah," I smile. The bell rings and we walk out together. "The math you're in is on the first floor, and luckily so is my history class."

"I was hoping we had it together. It'd be nice to keep seeing a familiar face," she admits as we squeeze by people to get down the stairs. "Friendly face, you know?"

I nod along as she continues to talk. My eyes bounce around the people pushing each other in the halls, trying to find a certain classroom. A119. If she were in the same math as me, she'd have the same teacher which means the same classroom. Julie stays close to me, her large bag hitting some people which got her a few grunts and stares. She apologizes every time, and I think her eyes are glossed over with tears. I grab her wrist and pull her into an empty space that was protected by our bright teal lockers.

"Hey, are you okay?"

She wipes at her eyes to rid them of unshed tears. "Yeah. It's just, my stupid bag is already making people hate me. I told my mom I didn't even need half of the things she stuffed in here."

I glance at her bag to see that it almost makes her entire body sag- which probably doesn't make sense. "It does look like she prepared you for a year long camping trip instead of half of a school year."

"Yeah," she says through a laugh.

I let her calm down as the halls thin out, only a few wandering people left. Classes are starting soon, and Julie isn't in hers yet. I've never been tardy before but it's for an understandable reason. Julie and I rush through our hall, looking for the specific room before backtracking. We look at the left doors since they're the odd rooms. We eventually, finally find the room that Julie belongs in. She waves goodbye and enters as the bell rings. Second period has officially begun.

"He won't be too mad, right? He'll let me off. I've been sick and it's messing with my brain. Yeah," I mumble to myself, hoping the excuses I spew out sound true.

"Do my eyes decieve me?" I hear a teasing voice down the hall.

I look up to see Scarlette with a late pass dangling from her hand. Her hands are bare, the rings that usually decorate them- gone. Her hair is pulled into a lower ponytail, showing every curve of her face and every beauty mark. She's still wearing her familiar necklace, but no earrings. I don't get to fully take in her outfit because she's in front of me in a flash. She doesn't have anything with her which makes me wonder why she was late. I blink up towards her, trying not to blush. Is she going to kiss me? Here, in the halls? Does she remember her text? It could've meant anything now that my mind is really thinking about it. I just want her to kiss me.

"Good boy, never skips a class, independent, trips over air, Nolan?" she continues with a hand placed on her chest. "I'd never thought I'd see the day where you skip."

"I'm not skipping!" I protest.

"Oh? Then what're you doing out in the halls, sweetheart?"

I point behind me, not sure if I'm pointing at the right class, while trying to give my best serious look. "I was helping a friend find their class."

"You and Madaline have the same class."

"I have more than one friend!" I say, offendly. I have other friends.

"Of course," she agrees as she walks over to me before throwing her arm around my shoulder. "I'll walk you to class."

My class is on the other end of the hall, with a most-likely curious Madaline, wondering where I am. I ask Scarlette about why she's late to which she answers 'who really shows up on time?' She avoided any other questions, and went back to her usual teasing. The walk to my class isn't long, so we get there in no time. Scarlette hands me her late pass giving me no time to argue as she stalks away without a word. Her hand lingered on mine and it colors my face red as I robotically turn around before entering my classroom.

"Come in, come in" Mr. Akins rushes me inside without looking away from his computer.

"Sorry," I mutter, while moving to my assigned seat near the back. Madaline is switching between two worksheets with a pencil in her hand, and two pens in front of her. I slide into my seat, my bag knocking into my desk which makes Madaline look up. She gives me a questioning look while scooting her desk closer to mine. Her expression reads 'what took you so long? you're never late' which I know. I'm goody tissue Nolan. Let me be.

"Why are you late?" She questions like I knew she would. "Ms. Rin actually followed up on her threat of keeping you guys forever?"

Ms. Rin uses that threat every time the class gets out of control. It works, so she continues to use it and we believe her every time. I could easily lie, and say yes, but it's no big deal. My reason is understandable.

"Was helping a friend," I whisper back.

"Who?" Madaline fires question after question, wanting to know every detail as usual.

I explain to her everything that's happened after we separated in the halls, starting off with my idea of letting students use the school's elevators. After my short rant on that, I tell her about Julie approaching me and our shared first period. Madaline knows of Julie because I mentioned how our parents tried to get us to talk. She's never met her, but we're all in the same school which will make it difficult to not see her. We get distracted in the middle of my explanation and start to talk about different things.

"I already know you like him. Scarlette and I talk about it all the time," I admit to Madaline once she's done gushing over her not-so-small crush on Jackson.

"That's funny because we talk about you guys too," Madaline hums while stapling her work to give to Mr. Akins. We spent majority of the class period talking because today was make-up day. I have no missing or late assignments which made today a free day of sorts.

She lays it on his desk as we leave, the bell screaming to tell us that this school day is almost over. After lunch, it's two more classes. Let's see if my brain can make it without frying. Madaline and I walk down the barely crowded halls in silence, too busy thinking about our own things. My thoughts are full of Scarlette and only her. Her text. I make it into the cafeteria with my mind fuller than before and get in line with Madaline. She gets a ceaser salad because she doesn't like our lunch options while I get a plate of fries and chicken nuggets.

We see Jackson at a table near the back, so we quickly join him. Scarlette isn't with him. I deflate into a seat, but try not to show that I'm disappointed that Jackson is the only one here.

"Where's Scarlette?" Madaline asks, not finding any issue with popping the question.

Jackson shrugs, busy with trying to open his cup of sliced oranges. "Don't know. She didn't answer my calls."

"She answered mine," Madaline lies, trying to get a reaction out of him. Jackson is in the middle of drinking the juice from his fruit cup and quickly puts it down- almost choking.

"I actually feel betrayed right now," he dramatizes.

"She's here," I decide to speak up. "She had a late pass in her hand which is probably why neither of you saw her."

"How did you see her then?" Jackson wonders aloud.

"I-"

"He was late," Madaline states.

Jackson looks surprised and I cross my arms, getting ready to defend myself. Its not the end of the world! I huff when Jackson's eyes move up, obviously not paying attention to my distress. He raises his eyebrows which makes me wonder about what he's looking at. Madaline follows his eyes and is now staring behind me too.

"Hey," I feel someone faintly touch my shoulder. I turn around to see Julie with a tray in her hands. Jackson bounces his eyes between the two of us, trying to dissect the situation. "Can I sit with you guys?"

"Sure," I say without much thought. Julie smiles and sits next to me without question. It makes sense- she's not familiar with Madaline or Jackson. "This is my best friend, Madaline." Madaline waves with a smile. "And this is my too-cool-for-school friend, Jackson." He nods.

"Hi, I'm Julie!"

The introductions were over as quickly as they came, and we jumped into conversation about Julie's first day. She has one of the same teachers as Jackson, and he had no problem talking about how the teacher sucks. I blank out ten minutes into the conversation when suddenly I feel a hand on my cheek. I blink, my eyes a little blurry when something plops into my lap. I look down to see a bag of chips, then sit straight up when I feel a kiss on my cheek.

"I see you came," my favorite voice mumbles, her hand still touching my cheek. I nod, my face as bright as can be. Speaking seems impossible as I try to cool down my flaming cheeks. She saw me earlier, but I guess she wanted a chance to say that line.

Scarlette drops another bag of chips onto my lap after publicly kissing my cheek. She goes to sit in front of me since Julie and Madaline are at my sides. I secretly wish Julie would switch places with her.

"So, who's our new friend?" Scarlette asks, stealing food from Jackson's plate. He swats her hands away as I stutter, Julie interrupting me. I look her way to see that she's also blushing.

"Oh," her blush deepens, "I didn't know you have a girlfriend, Nolan."

"S-she's not my girlfriend," I rush out, my face steaming red. I'm not her boyfriend. I've never been someone's boyfriend before. What does Scarlette think? Is she thinking that I could be her boyfriend? Is she thinking about being my girlfriend? I smile unknowingly at the thought of her wanting that.

"Oh," she repeats with a tone that I can't decipher, and don't attempt to. "I'm Julie," she introduces herself again. Scarlette nods with her head pointed towards Jackson who's actively trying to defend his food. I slide my tray of untouched fries and nuggets towards her and happily open up one of my chip bags. She leaves Jackson's plate alone and focuses on the one I gave her.

"Do you guys want to hang out after school? I don't have any plans and it's been a while," Madaline speaks up. "Julie you should come, as our new friend group member."

"I wish I could- you guys seem so fun! But I have a thing with my parents later," she sulks.

"Me too," I pipe up with my mouth semi-full of sun chips. "My parents want me to tag along with them, since I feel better."

Madaline's shoulders slump, so Scarlette tells her that she's free and Jackson joins in. My heart slightly stings at the thought of not being able to hang out with my friends after not being able to for a while.

The bell rings and we all dump our trash before leaving the cafeteria together and saluting each other goodbye. I head to my least favorite class, psychology, with an in between feeling of happiness and sadness.

Let's just get through today.