It's Thursday, and I have Mr. Harvey's class again. The thought dreaded me because I knew who else would be there. Scarlette. The straps to my book bag fall off my shoulders as I trudge slowly to science class. That, of course, caused my bag to fall to the floor with a loud thud. My eyes close for a good five seconds, and I open them again before picking up my fallen book bag. Madaline looks at me weirdly, and with a hint of concern. She asked me if I was okay earlier because apparently I look like a chipmunk ate my favorite snacks. Only Madaline would say something like that.

"Nolan, are you sure you're okay? Do you need to visit the nurse?" She asks for the second time that day. I nod my head in reassurance, and we walk into science class quietly.

I stop in my tracks when I see that Scarlette is already there, and seated. This must be a world record. Scarlette glances up at me, making me scramble to my seat and sit down. I glance at her before turning forward as Mr. Harvey clears his throat, obviously trying to get the class's attention. He explains to us that today will be an us day, and he won't be teaching anything. We can catch up on any late work, work on our project, or just relax if we want.

"What do you want to do?" Scarlett immediately asks me when Mr. Harvey is done talking. I take out a book I'd gotten from the library not too long ago, and open it to the page I left off on. My plan was to ignore Scarlett for right now because I don't want to be a bother to her. She shouldn't force herself to talk to me, or even hang around me. At least that's what I think.

"I think I'm just going to read my book," I finally answer her. Only because she was still looking at me, and it was making me nervous.

Scarlette leans forward to see the title of the book, a look of curiosity on her face. I pretend not to notice while reading the same line over and over. I can't focus when she's so close to me, or even paying attention to me. Scarlette nods to herself before sitting back straight. Now it was my turn to look at her curiously.

"I read that before. The sequel too, it's pretty good."

"You did? Wait, you read?" I look at her, incredulously. Scarlette scoffs as she looks at the book title again. I mentally smile, almost knowingly. She has never read this book. But kudos to her for knowing there's a sequel. Or maybe she just guessed.

"Yes, Nolan. I read."

"Mm, so you know the main characters?"

"Of course I do."

"Who are they?"

I move the book away from her line of view, so she wouldn't get any hints. She notices the small action, but pretends she's unaffected by it. We sit in silence for a couple minutes before she takes in a small breath and says,

"Crystal and Jackson."

We stare at each other in further silence, my eyes on her, and my mouth in a straight line. Scarlette looks back at me, face expression serious. I can't hold it in longer as I burst out laughing. People look our way, but I don't really notice, my head in my arms. Scarlett watches my body shake in laughter before she starts to laugh too. We stop laughing, but one look at each other and we're full out giggling again. Yes, we're giggling.

"You've never read this book before, or the sequel you liar."

Scarlette wipes the corner of her eyes, then looks at me amusingly.

"You think? I only said it so you'd talk to me."

I stop in my tracks when she says that. What?

"W-what, why would you do that?"

Scarlette's amusement is now replaced with confusion. I should be the confused one if anything. I just stare at her, waiting for her to continue, but it looks like that's all she had to say.

"What do you mean?" she finally questions.

"I mean why would you do that, so I would talk to you? Shouldn't you be ignoring me?"

Scarlette tilts her head to the side, scanning my entire face with her dark brown eyes. I try to hold eye contact, but simply fail in a matter of seconds. I look away from her, a light blush forever permanent on my face. She makes me nervous, especially when she moves closer to me.

"You messing with me, clumsy?"

"Are you messing with me?"

"Not at all."

Scarlette places her head in the palm of her hand, so now she's leaning on the table, her eyes still on me. I play with the ends of my jacket, and look at Madaline to see what she's doing. She's sleeping. Of course she's sleeping.

"Nolan."

My head turns back to Scarlette who now has a smirk settled on her face. Confusion is on mine, as I wonder about why she's smirking.

"Yes?"

"Do I make you nervous?"

It takes me a second or two to process what she asked me, but when it does, I choke on my spit. Scarlette pats me on my back, and just her touching me, sends me into another fit of coughing. After a couple more deathly coughs, I finally calm down. Scarlette makes sure I'm alright before moving back. Whispering out a thank you, my breathing slows, and I sit up right.

"I'll take that as a yes," she says.

"Whatever," I mutter out, "what time is it? I want to go to lunch."

Scarlette glances at the clock before turning back to me.

"11:30."

"Great, only five more minutes. I should wake up Maddy."

Scarlette glances back at Madaline, and chuckles.

"You do that before she covers the entire table in drool," she jokes, "I should wake up Jackson before he does the same."

Scarlette stands up without another word, and walks to the back of the classroom. She pushes her friend, who I assume is Jackson, out of his chair which makes him tip and fall over. A loud thud and curse is heard from him as he glares up at Scarlette.

"Good morning, sunshine."

"Fuck off," he grumbles, "you're buying me lunch for that stupid stunt you just pulled."

Scarlette scoffs and kicks his leg, playfully.

"I buy you lunch everyday. Don't try to make an excuse for today."

I laugh at their interaction, and look over to Madaline, to see she's already awake. Guess the noise woke her up. Well, at least it saved me the trouble of doing it. Madaline comes over to my table, and sits in Scarlette's seat. She rubs her eyes for a little as she lets out a long yawn.

"How was your nap, sleeping beauty?"

"It was good, beast. Would've been so much better if your strong arms were cuddling me."

I place my hand over my heart, dramatically.

"Next time I will grace you with the honor of cuddling me."

Scarlette pops back out of nowhere, her tattooed arms, and braceleted wrists hanging over my shoulders.

"Do I get this honor, Nolan?"

My cheeks heat up as usual, making Madaline sit up in her seat, her curious gaze settled on me. She waves to Scarlette who sort of tilts her head as if she's saying, 'what's up?'

"Yeah," Madaline inquires, "does she get the same honor, Nolan?"

I would flip her the bird if my father didn't say it was a terrible thing to do. Although I'm pretty sure I saw him do it to someone who cut in front of him one time. The school bell rings signaling the end of the class, and the start of lunch. Madaline and Scarlette smile at each other, knowing they successfully teased me. I huff in mock annoyance while packing away the book I took out earlier.

"Hurry up, grandma, I'm hungry," Madaline now complains. She rubs her stomach for extra effect. I'm tempted to tell her to starve, but she might decapitate me if I do.

"Do you guys mind if we join?" Scarlette asks, her arms still hanging over my shoulders. Her hair is down, so it kind of tickles the back of my neck. Her friend walks over when he hears the word 'we.'

"Who are we hanging with?"

Madaline nearly falls out of her chair when she sees his face. I look at her weirdly as she tries to fix her hair, and sit up straight. Scarlette chuckles from behind me like she knows what's going on. I look back at her, our faces now close together. Scarlette looks down at me, the same smirk on her face. She mouths the words, 'I'm starting to like your friend.'

Her words confuse me more because what did that have to do with how Madaline was acting?

I don't get to question it further, since Mr. Harvey interrupts me.

"Do you kids plan on leaving soon? I would like to have my lunch before the last period. Those kids will put me in a casket before my time," he continues to himself.

We all laugh to ourselves before leaving the room. Madaline walks fast, so she can keep up with Scarlette's friend. He has very long legs, so he has huge strides.

Scarlette stays behind with me, teasing me about how "I look like I could fall over any second with my gigantic book bag."

"I mean you're so small," she continues, "I can always hold it for you."

I slap her hand away from me, making her laugh for the umpteenth time.

"I'll never agree to let you eat with us again," I grumble.