"Were you working last night?" Zoe asked as she stared intently at Teddy, his eyes glued to his textbook as he jotted notes down in his notebook.

"Nope." He answered shortly.

"So, I wasn't bothering you?"

"You calling while I'm working and you calling while I'm relaxing is the same thing. You still bothered me."

Zoe's lip jutted out in a pout as her eyes fell to her own notes, which she had barely put any work into. Teddy had filled two pages already and Zoe barely had half a page. That didn't really matter to her as much as his words did. She didn't mean to bug him. She just needed someone, and she trusted Teddy the most. She still didn't know why but she didn't want to fight it. He was the first person she had ever trusted like this so she couldn't let go of that yet.

Teddy quickly glanced at Zoe when she was silent for a little too long. She looked incredibly blue as she mindlessly drew flowers around her lack of notes. She looked like she wanted to talk, which annoyed him. Hadn't she talked his ear off enough last night? He was struggling to get her off the phone, because every time he attempted to say goodnight, she powered on even more aggressively.

Teddy defeatedly sighed. He couldn't believe he was giving into this girl's sulky behavior. "Are you feeling better today or what? Was our two hour conversation last night not enough to cheer you up? I let you talk and talk and talk and you're still not happy?"

Zoe looked at Teddy and felt a smile itch at the corner of her lips. She was happy now. But why? Because Teddy admitted that he was listening to her to make her feel better? Even if he was upset that he was doing it, he was doing it, and that's what mattered. He was a pretty selfless guy, letting her vent for two hours, even when he didn't want to talk. That's how she knew his cold words were just a facade.

"I feel better." Zoe answered. "I always feel better around you."

Teddy don't hesitate to shoot Zoe a glare. Why was she so shameless all the time? It was gross, he thought.

Even though Teddy was trying to study, Zoe still attempted to pull him into conversation. She asked him about work, about cars, about his coworkers. She was irresistibly curious about his life outside of school, as she always was. Was he always this short and cold with people or was it just her? Did he enjoy working with cars or did he just do what he needed to for money? Did he work late hours? Was it exhausting?

Luckily, since they were talking about him, Teddy was a lot more responsive. He didn't like feeding into Zoe's babbling when she was talking about her rich people problems, but when he was asked about himself, he answered without realizing it. He was still short and vague, not giving out a whole lot of information, but he was talking. That's all that Zoe cared about.

"So, you're nearly an expert on cars and I won't even dare to turn mine on. How ironic." Zoe joked, a friendly smile on her face and her brown eyes dazzling.

"You don't drive when you go to New York or Los Angeles?" Teddy questioned, his hand and pencil long forgetting the notebook in front of him.

Zoe shook her head. "There are plenty of driving services that'll drive me places. Besides, the streets there are so packed that it's better to have less cars on the street."

"That's fair." Teddy shrugged. "And, I guess, that accident would probably deter anyone from driving for awhile.."

Zoe's eyes slightly widened as she stared at Teddy. When he realized his mistake, his mouth opened and closed as he searched for an exit out of this. He didn't want Zoe to know that he had looked into her life through paparazzi articles. Firstly, because he didn't want to admit that he cared enough to look. Second, he didn't want her to know he looked online before he had asked her. That didn't make him any better than all the other nosy dumbasses at this school.

"You know?" Zoe quietly uttered.

"I only looked because you had a dumb look on your face when I mentioned that I worked with cars. And I didn't even read much because I didn't care that much." Teddy explained, speaking bitterly. He wasn't trying to ease himself out of this situation nicely, as always.

Zoe was silent as her eyes drifted towards the table. Teddy awkwardly continued taking notes but struggled to keep his attention on the words sat in front of him. He kept glancing at Zoe as she mindlessly tapped her gel pen against her notebook. This time, she didn't look like she wanted to talk. She still looked blue, though. It was unsettling since Zoe was always talking and always had a smile on her face.

"So.." Teddy mentally cursed himself for even trying, but he forced himself forward. "You've yet to get sick of this small town?"

Zoe looked up at Teddy again, instantly intrigued by his question. A weak smile spread across her face, her eyes growing soft. "I don't think I'll ever get sick of it. It's so nice and peaceful here. And I feel like I've made actual connections with people here."

Teddy slowly nodded. "You don't ever feel like people are your friends just because your rich?"

"Well, I know for a fact you're not." Zoe grinned, Teddy's eyes narrowing at her.

"Seriously. What about Chuck and Vanessa and Joseph? None of those people were even friends before you came along."

"Well, aren't people who befriend rich people always around because they get gifts and stuff? Like purses or cars or exposure? I haven't done that with any of them so what could they be after?"

"Maybe they're thinking long term.."

"I don't even like to spend my money on extravagant things. I came here to experience life without money. Once they figure that out, then those left beside me will be my true friends."

"You're willing to wait that long?"

"Yeah. Why not? I'll have a hundred friends now and ten later. I'm okay with that." Teddy rolled his eyes. Zoe studied him for a moment, debating asking the one question swirling in her head. "Are you okay with having no one?"

"Yeah, actually." Teddy stated matter-of-factly. They're eyes locked as he spoke. "I grew up with most of these assholes so I'm more than okay with never being considered their friends."

"Really? Ever? Were they really that mean to you growing up? I know they're a little unfair now but..."

Teddy's scoffed cut her off as he shook his head. "I think I might actually go as far as to say they ruined my life. Well, technically, there were a lot of things that contributed to ruining my life but you'd imagine your friends at school would support you instead of tear you even further down. Not a single one of them stayed beside me when I needed them."

Zoe frowned, her heart aching as she imagined the pain of watching an entire class of students turning against her like they did Teddy. While Teddy's eyes glazed over as he stared at his textbook, Zoe could tell he wasn't actually thinking about his work. Hesitantly, she reached out and touched his arm that rested on the table. His eyes went wide as they landed on Zoe's hand, which gently grazed over his skin.

Teddy could tell she was trying to comfort him but it was an odd, unfamiliar feeling. The amount of pity in Zoe's big brown eyes made his stomach stir. Did she think he was going to break out in tears? Did she think her touch was going to soothe him? What kind of relationship did she think they had? They were acquaintances, by force. Teddy didn't want Zoe touching him in any way, ever.

"I didn't tell you all that for you to look at me like I'm a lost puppy." Teddy sneered. "I'm fine, you know. I'm not desperate for friends. It all happened a long time ago so I'm used to being by myself now. I don't need your pity. It hurts my pride."

"I don't pity you, Teddy. I just care." Zoe retorted as she retracted her hand. "Besides, you have me now. I promise, I won't leave your side."

Teddy was outraged. That was the exact opposite of what he was saying. But, before he could snap at her for the sweet gesture, Zoe's eyes flickered up to something behind him. Teddy curiously turned and instantly spotted Vanessa walking towards them with another girl beside her. It was a mutual friend, Abigail, who was shyly giggling as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Vanessa also quietly laughed beside her and reached towards the blonde to brush more loose strands from her face.

"Van?" Zoe spoke up first since Vanessa hadn't seen her yet. She couldn't help herself, even though she felt like she was about to be caught.

Vanessa casually turned towards Zoe, but her mood instantly changed as her smile wiped off her face and eyes widened in shock. Vanessa quickly pulled her hand from Abigail, whose cheeks were already reddening. And then Vanessa's eyes fell to Zoe's hand, which was laid gently over Teddy's wrist. Now it was Zoe's turn to embarrassingly pull her hand away and stuff it in her lap.

"Wh-What are you doing here?" Vanessa asked as she nervously stuffed her hands in her back pockets.

Zoe glanced at Teddy, who seemed annoyed by this situation. "Nothing.. Just.. studying.."

Vanessa looked at Teddy, her eyes slowly narrowing with suspicion. "Wait... Is this where you disappear to everyday? With Teddy?"

Zoe opened her mouth but no words came out. "Uhm.. I just.. We were just.."

Teddy rolled his eyes. Why was she stuttering like she just got caught doing something bad? She sounded guilty and shameful. Was that how she felt being around him? Did this girl have no pride in anything she did, even when that came to her relentlessly hanging on someone who didn't even want to associate with her? Her being here was solely her fault.

"I didn't even think people came back here," Vanessa interrupted as she glanced at Abigail, who still looked unsettled. "And I bet everybody else thinks that because nobody suspects you're here. So.. How about, I don't tell anyone you're here and you don't tell anybody I'm here. Apparently, we both have secrets we'd like to hide.."

Zoe stole a glance at Teddy as she debated that offer. Abigail must've been Vanessa's secret, like Teddy was for Zoe. That was slightly intriguing to Zoe. Was Vanessa here with Abigail to hide their relationship? Is that why they were both giggling like lovesick puppies? That made Zoe jealous. Vanessa came here to flirt with a girl that obviously already liked her but Zoe wasn't there with Teddy. Yet...

"O-Okay.." Zoe carefully studied Abigail with a warm smile. "I won't say anything."

"Thank you.." Abigail shyly whispered.

Vanessa nodded once at Zoe and gently grabbed Abigail's wrist. Abigail slightly flinched and furiously blushed as Vanessa guided Abigail towards the only other table in the very back of the library. Zoe watched them with so much envy as they two smiled and whispered to one another. She wished Zoe could do that with Teddy but he didn't smile as much as they did. He also didn't seem the type to flirt.

"So.. Are all of our friends gay?" Zoe asked as she turned back to Teddy.

"Our?" Teddy's eyebrows furrowed. "Vanessa and Howl are your friends. I thought we already established, I don't need any friends."

Zoe dramatically gasped. "Howl would be hurt to hear you say that."

Teddy rolled his eyes as he fought a smile. There was no way he was giving in to her jokes. "Howl can shove it."

"I'm sure he'd be happy to." Zoe joked.

Teddy was shocked at Zoe's clever comeback, causing an uncontrollable grin to spread across his face. Zoe laughed as she watched Teddy fight the smile on his face, pushing his shoulder when he shook his head. Teddy chuckled as he kept his eyes on his textbook, trying his hardest to pull himself back into his studying. But, he couldn't deny how funny that was, especially, coming from Zoe.

"You're ridiculous." Teddy laughed.

"But, you laughed.." Zoe taunted as she scooted closer and closer to Teddy with a huge grin on her face.

Teddy place his hand on Zoe's chair and shoved her back, shooting her a halfhearted glare. "Shut it."

Zoe nibbled on her bottom lip as she stared at Teddy, little hearts twinkling in her brown eyes again. Teddy sighed as he rubbed his fingers into his eyes, trying his best to wipe the smile off his face. When he finally succeeded, he dropped his attention back to his textbook and picked up right where he left off. But, Zoe couldn't stop staring.

"If you don't even consider Howl your friend, what does that make me?" Zoe forced a pout.

Teddy side-eyed Zoe as he fought another smile. "You don't even want to know."

"Teddy!" Zoe whined.

"Shh!" Teddy scolded, seeing as he actually remembered they were in a library. "Do you want me to call you a pest to your face?"

Zoe dramatically gasped once more but she was more offended this time. She couldn't help herself from punching Teddy's shoulder, causing him gape at her in shock. Just to antagonize him, Zoe punched him again. Teddy tried to catch Zoe's arm but she jumped back before he could touch her. When he reached for her again, Zoe jumped up to escape.

Teddy turned 180 degrees to follow Zoe as she ran around his chair, his hands reaching out to grab anything that he could grab. Zoe still evaded him with a huge smile, bouncing excitedly back and forth just outside of his reach. Teddy chuckled as he watched Zoe bounce like a bunny ready to play a game of chase. All he could do was shake his head and turn back around in his seat. He didn't want to encourage this kind of behavior when he was trying to study.

"Teddy.." Zoe put her hands on Teddy's shoulders and bounced up and down, causing him to slightly shake with every hop. "Play with me, Teddy. Play with me, play with me, play-"

"Jesus, Bozo! Are you a bunny rabbit all of a sudden? Get off of me." Teddy groaned as he shook Zoe's hands off of him.

"Oh!" Zoe wrapped her arms around Teddy's shoulders, causing him to stiffen up. She tossed her hair to one side as she placed her head beside his. Being this close to him, Zoe got a good smell of his cologne. He smelt good. "People always say I look like a rabbit. They say it's because of my little buck teeth. Do you see it?"

Teddy reluctantly turned to Zoe, who was inches from his face with her arms wrapped around him. He couldn't help but cringe at the amount of physical contact they were making. He was uncomfortable. He wasn't usually, ever, this close with another human being. He hated it. But, while examining the features of Zoe's face, he forgot about all of that. Her big brown eyes were captivating and distracting.

"I see it.." Teddy blinked. When he came to, he shook Zoe off of his shoulders and turned his attention back to his textbook. "I'm studying, Bozo. Get off of me, will ya.." He muttered coldly.

Zoe pouted as she pulled her hand away from Teddy. She collapsed into the seat beside him and didn't hesitate to start rambling. "Halloween is soon too, Teddy. Should I dress as a bunny rabbit? Stacy was talking about that earlier. She wants a bunch of us to be Playboy bunnies but I think a giant bunny onesie would be more comfortable. Do you know what you're wearing for Halloween?"

"Nope." Teddy jotted down some notes. He didn't even want to tell Zoe that he didn't plan on dressing up because he knew that's make her talk even more and annoy him. But still, his eyebrows furrowed as his mind wondered. "And I don't think you'd be allowed in school dressed as a Playboy bunny, Bozo."

"Well, I wouldn't wear it here. Stacy is throwing a Halloween party at her place, so I could wear it there."

"Sounds to me like you've already considered wearing this perverted costume." Teddy grumbled and finally turned to Zoe. "You do realize you'd be fulfilling a lot of horny morons fantasies of you if you went to a party dressed like that, right?"

Zoe shrugged. "That doesn't seem so bad."

Teddy wanted to be shocked but he couldn't be. Zoe was a part time model and was always the center of attention. She was used to people fawning over her all day long. If she were dressed up all sexy, it would be no difference to when she was dressed down. People still clawed at the opportunity to get her attention, and give her attention. He figured she might not even realize the difference between peoples greed, lust, and innocent interest towards her.

Zoe needed someone to protect her from these kinds of things so she didn't get hurt being so naive like this.

"Are you going to Stacy's Halloween party?" Zoe asked as she stared intently at Teddy, who was stared back at her with a glazed over look in his eyes as he drowned in thought.

"I'd rather have my intestines cut out and shoved down my throat." Teddy remarked snidely.

Zoe flinched at his morbid response but instantly jumped back into the conversation. "Ooh! Maybe you should go as a zombie! Or a vampire! You'd look good as a vampire. Your eyes are piercing enough."

Teddy squinted as he took a moment to think. "Is that a compliment?"

"I meant it as one." Zoe shrugged.

Teddy huffed and turned his attention back to his studies. He really had been talking to Zoe for too long today. He was getting too comfortable around this girl. Teddy never talked to anybody, ever. He was a man of few words, and when he spoke, he was only known to give rude or short responses. But with Zoe, he didn't realize it when he was going back and forth with her. He was always just so shocked at the things she said that he felt compelled to dig out more from her.

"Can I study now? You're big mouth is gonna make me flunk out of school if you don't stop bugging me." Teddy grumbled bitterly.

Zoe finally left him alone this time. She figured she'd ask him about Stacy's party again another time. At this point, Zoe knew to leave Teddy alone. The last time she pushed him to keep making conversation when he got sick of her, he got really, really mad for the rest of the day. Zoe was getting better at it, though, learning Teddy's limits and boundaries. He wasn't a guy that talked a lot or to a lot of people so she knew not to push him too much.

Besides, just sitting with him in silence was nice and comfortable.