Murmurs of conversation, along with footsteps filled Ivy's ears, as she walked down the corridor, studiously ignoring those around her. However, hearing the sounds of a certain pair of shoes she looked up, smiling.

"Emma! You're on time?" Ivy smirked. Emma stuck her tongue out. Ivy immediately noted the change in Emma's hair.

"Shut up. I wanted to show you something." Emma looked at Ivy, her blue eyes wide, and her face easy to read.

Ivy sighed, already knowing the change. "You got a hair cut." Emma's blonde hair now hung below her shoulders, instead of down her back. Ivy's own brown hair stayed in a neat ponytail.

"Yup!" Emma grinned. "Like it?" Ivy nodded. They were interrupted by a deep voice.

"Johnson! Like the hair." A tall guy strode over, smirking at Emma. Ivy narrowed her sharp green eyes at him. Beside her, Emma stiffened and clenched her jaw. Seeing this, Ivy stepped in front of her.

"Brendan. Trying to look cool makes you seem even more stupid than usual." Laughter echoed around them, as Brendan's features took on a threatening look.

"Get lost, Cooper." He growled.

"I suggest consulting the mold in the bathroom on how to get a life. At least it'll be an upgrade." Ivy heard Emma snort behind her. Brendan glared at her but seemed to be fighting within himself, trying not to punch Ivy.

"Do it." Ivy challenged. "Punch me."  The stares at each other. He stepped forward then seemed to come to his senses.

He sneered, seeming triumphant. "Wouldn't want you to start crying like a baby when I broke your nose." Ivy cocked her head.

"That's what I thought. You know, these terrible excuses must be kind of embarrassing." Ivy was about to leave when Brendan whispered something in her ear.

"You can't always protect Johnson there. Eventually, I'll get a chance with her." Rage coursed through Ivy's body. This time she held herself back.

"Back off Brendan. Or I will make you regret the sorry day you were born." Ivy breathed, her green eyes cold. The bell rang, but Ivy's eyes remained on Brendan's.

"Whatever. I was joking." He stalked off.

"Ivy?" Emma asked. "What did he say at the end to make you so mad?" Ivy looked at her friend for a long moment.

Her face was innocent and kind, and since a year ago, it tended to attract the wrong kind of guys. It just made Ivy even more protective of her friend.

"Nothing. See you later." Ivy gave her a half convincing smile, but still felt Emma's concerned gaze on her as she walked to English.

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Coming out of English, Ivy walked to her class in the second period. The teacher's voice rang out issuing instructions. Ivy watched the students around her, instantly tell what was on their minds. Her gaze came to someone new- a tall guy with deep blue eyes centered on a tan face, accompanied with dark hair. He walked over, as Ivy's mind summed up the guy.

"Hi. Can I sit here?" His deep voice shook Ivy into responding.

She nodded once. He seemed surprised at her lack of response but sat down anyway. The lesson started, and about halfway through, Ivy tapped the guy's arm.

He sighed. "Look, I'm not interested in a girlfriend right now. I'm sorry, but there are many other guys who you can be with." He said this like it was something he often told girls.

"Lucas really likes you but feels intimidated. Matthew is also attracted to you." Through all of this, his face remained blank, unlike Ivy's. She looked torn between amused and slightly puzzled.

"Okay," She laughed. "That's good to clear up because I am definitely not interested in dating. Anyway, I already know about Lucas. Matthew is just using me to get to my friend." Ivy looked for a response but the only hints of emotion were hidden in his eyes.

"But, I was just asking for a pen. Nice speech though." Ivy looked at him, trying to read his face for embarrassment, but was again met with a blank.

"Right." He handed her a pen. "Sorry about that. I'm James Doyle."

Ivy smiled. "No problem. It's definitely an interesting way to meet someone. I'm Ivy Cooper." They shook hands, and Ivy felt the strength behind his grip.

The lesson finished, and the day quickly passed. Once lunch came, Ivy found a table with Emma.

"Hey, Emma. How was class?" Emma's looked up.

"Ivy! I met this new guy in first period. He was so handsome!" Ivy mentally rolled her eyes but kept listening. "He was tall and muscular, and had dark hair, plus these-"

"Blue eyes." They finished together, though Ivy said it like a question. Emma gaped at Ivy.

"You met him?" She gasped, "Wait. Have you finally found someone you like? He's all yours, Ivy. In fact-"

"Emma, stop. I don't like him." At Ivy's words, Emma pouted. "But did you talk to him? What did he say?"

"Well, yes, I did talk to him. He gave me this speech on how he's not interested and stuff. Then he said Elijah likes me -how would that guy know? Plus, I didn't even get his name!" Emma finished with a huff.

"James Doyle. That's his name." Ivy told Emma.

But her thoughts led her away from Emma's surprised expression. Instead, they led her to the one person whose face she couldn't read, and who turned down what seemed like every girl in the school.

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