Hazel walked down the crowded hallway full of Seniors who were either excited for Senior year, or didn't give a f*** about grades and were determined to make it the best and most memorable experience ever. Hazel on the other hand was pretty chill. She saw a freshman looking around like he was a scared little animal that was watching and waiting for its predator to attack. She walked up to him and saw that he was dressed in a Superman shirt, her favorite D.C. Character by the way, jeans and blue converse. He had braces and big, circle glasses just like like hers. She gave him a reassuring smile and he smiled back at her.

"I'm Hazel and don't be nervous. No one really picks on the freshman like they do in the movies, so you're good."

"Thanks," he said. "But that's not why I'm nervous."

"Oh," she replied. "What is it then?"

"See that big guy over there?" Hazel turned to see a guy, who obviously didn't care much for personal hygiene, stalk or waddle towards them.

"U-uh yeah. W-what about him?" She asked and touched and fidgeted with her messy bun. A habit she had of doing when she was nervous. The guy scared her a little and she tucked her book in her bag and pulled down the sleeves of her sweater.

"He bullied me all through junior high and now that he's here I'm afraid he'll continue his raid of torturing dorky, little kids." The scared freshman said.

Hazel gulped and tried to show she wasn't afraid. "Can't we just avoid him?" She asked.

He let out a small smile as she said that. He didn't feel alone and was happy for her assistance. Maybe Seniors aren't so bad after all. "We can try, though I doubt it."

"Well, well, well if it isn't the lil pipsqueak himself. How was your summer Lewis?" The fowl smelling ogre asked.

"Leave him alone," Hazel said stepping in front of him.

"Why if it isn't the Book Nerd herself," the giant said. Anger flashed across her face.

"W-where did-d you hear th-that?" She asked.

"My brother," he replied. "Now get out of my way or else."

"Or else what?" A deep voice asked. The fat bully turned to see a tall figure. It was Toby Jones. He wore his usual outfit of jeans, a white t-shirt and his red varsity jacket. He was taller and leaner than the freshman jerk, but much stronger and he could easily beat the crap out of him.

"It's none if your business," he spat. Probably not the right thing to say to someone who could obviously put you in the hospital. Hazel and the other boy, in fact all the students in the hall stopped and watched to see the Senior teach the hot headed Freshman a lesson.

The senior looked down at him and said, "Oh, but you see it is my business." His tone was dark and full of warning. "First of all bullying with me is a no-no," he said pointing to himself then shook his finger in a scolding manner. "And second of all when you threaten a girl, especially my best friend's sister, then you're asking for trouble."

It was quiet. And, although his voice trembled a bit, he didn't stop himself from making one of the worst mistake of his life. "I'm not scared of you. I can do whatever the hell I want!" He then proceeded to put both hands against his chest, but since he was much shorter than Toby his hands landed on his six-pack stomach, and shoved him. A few of the students gasped and Hazel winced. Everyone knew not to mess with Toby, especially when it's personal.

Toby laughed and instead of punching the idiot he raised Tweedle Dee by his collar and looked him right in the eye. "Oh aren't you a tough guy? You wanna hit me? C'mon do it again. I dare you." He dropped the boy on the ground and walked towards Hazel. "Are you alright Hazel?" He asked.

A slight blush settled on her cheeks and she adjusted her glasses. "I-I'm alright Toby. Thank you." She said with a smile. He returned the smile before giving her a little side hug then walked towards class. Tweedle Dee had walked off leaving Hazel with Superman boy.

She looked back at him and saw that he had been studying her the whole time. "What?" She asked as she wrapped her sweater tighter around herself.

"Is he your boyfriend?" He blurted out.

"What?!" She scoffed and quickly said. "N-no h-he's not my boyfriend at all. He's my brother, Richard's best friend." She took a deep breathe and calmed down.

"Well it's clear that you are completely infatuated with him," he said as he closed his locker.

"Is it that obvious?" She asked and wrinkled her nose. She did that about as much as Bilbo did in all three Hobbit movies.

"A little." He answered.

"Um what's your name by the way?" She asked.

"Lewis, Christian Lewis at your service," he bowed and grabbed her hand and lightly kissed it.

She giggled and said, "My, my aren't you quite the gentleman?"

They laughed and looked around as the other students rushed off to class.

"Well I gotta go. World History in the morning?! Seriously?" He said.

"At least you don't have calculus first thing in the morning," she replied.

"Yeah, you're right World History is much better." They laughed before saying bye and heading off to class.

.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.

It was finally lunch time and Hazel put her school books away and grabbed her collectors addition Eleanor and Park book. She opened it and dove right in. She expertly maneuvered her way through the hall and into the cafeteria. A few people complained, but everyone was used to it now.

She sat down next to Richard and across from Toby. Usually she was comfortable around Toby, but as her little crush grew bigger she found it hard not to squirm and fidget. Like now. Nothing could take her focus away from her favorite book, nothing. Well except for Toby. She tried to focus on her book, but her eyes happened to just glance above her book. She watched as he pulled off the top of his pudding cup while talking to Richard about their first game. He licked his fingers before eating it. How can someone make eating pudding so attractive? She thought.

"Hazel," a light voice called bringing her back to the world. It was Christian. She smiled and waved him over.

"Um Toby could you move over please so Christian can sit there?"

Toby turned to see the nerdy guy walk their way. "Awwww look who's finally made a friend," He smiled and teased Hazel.

She scoffed and rolled her eyes. "I don't need many friends and I'm not that weird."

Toby laughed and kicked her leg under the table. She looked up and glared at him. She's adorable when she's mad, he thought to himself. Her cute, angry face caused him to laugh and scoot over as Christian sat down.

"Hey Hazel." He was tiny compared to Toby. Well Tweedle Dee was short when he stood next to Toby, but he made Christian look like an ant.

"Hi Christian," she flashed him a smile and he blushed a little.

"Um Toby, right?" He asked a bit nervous.

"That's my name don't wear it out," he joked and Richard scoffed at his lame dad joke.

"Well I just wanted to say thanks for earlier."

"Hey no problem man," Toby clapped him on the back and Christian fell over a bit. "I hate bullies."

"Don't we all," Hazel commented.

"Don't sass me," Toby said.

"Don't sass me," Hazel mocked.

"You're gonna get it later little missy." He warned.

She then, again, mocked him and he snatched the book out of her hand.

"Toby!" Hazel exclaimed. "Give it back please."

"Nope," he said popping the p at the end.

"Toby please give it back," she whined.

"Babies who whine don't get what they want." He said waving the book in the air.

"Ok, ok just be careful and don't ruin it please?" She asked.

He stashed the book inside his jacket and Hazel groaned and leaned against her fist. Her glasses were a bit lopsided and Toby took a quick pic. She didn't even bother to complain.

"Have you eaten yet Hazel?" Christian asked.

"Eating isn't in her vocabulary," Richard said. "She's a reader and readers barely eat. And when they do, you better have a feast waiting for them. Trust me I know from experience."

Hazel punched his arm, but he acted as if it was nothing.

"Well you gotta eat something. Here," he pulled out a snickers bar and Hazel's eyes widened.

"Thank you so much Christian." She then devoured the whole thing.

Christian backed away a little and Toby and Richard laughed. "That's her weakness," Richard said.

"Toby can I have my book back please?"

"Not till after practice," he said. Hazel groaned and hit her head against the table. It was going to be a long day.