After dinner, Kayla decided she would just go immediately to sleep. She was completely exhausted from school and it was just her first day.

A couple hours later, her sleep was disrupted by a text from Jayden.

J: Sorry. I know it's late. Can't sleep. How's things with Faith and Jana going?

K: Well, idk where to begin.

J: Oh God. Good or bad?

K: Jana. We're getting really close.

Faith. She's ok. Told me about this random girl. Said she hates her.

J: Meh. It's Faith. She's like a ball of evil and hatred.

K: Hahah. Eh too late now.

J: You're right. Night!

K: Night!

-------

The next day, Jayden picked Kayla up and walked her to the bus stop. "Did I wake you up last night?" he chuckled. "Duh! I was like 'Ughhh Jaydennn'." She laughed with a sarcastic eye roll. "I like it when you pick me up. I feel safe. Plus I don't look like a lonely freak." She added with a giggle.

He smiled shyly back at her. They stood awkwardly like that. Staring at each other then, after getting caught, staring at the ground smiling.

The bus arrived.

"Saved from awkwardness." Jayden thought to himself. "Wanna come over on Friday night? We're having pizza with a couple of Hank's friends and Jana and Georgina."
He asked. "Sure!" She blurted anxiously. "Great." He smiled.

Georgina was Kayla's neighbor. The two of them were old friends from back in Kindergarten. She moved in 2nd grade. Somehow Kayla ended up following 6 years later. Georgina was a year older than Kayla and Jayden. She also skipped a grade because of her age. And brain. That's why she's in 10th grade not 9th.

"I'll make sure to tell her." Kayla replied.