"I'm here!" I yelled, throwing my backpack into the locker room. I didn't bother to change. I knew I was too late to do anything. Somehow, I got stuck behind a bus who was stuck behind a garbage truck.

I burst through the door to the weights room. Music blared and the lights were bright. I was momentarily blinded, but as my vision slowly came back, I found out that the baseball team was already here. How had I missed the girls? I wasn't that late? Was I?

"Cat?"

I turned to face Harvey, who's skin was glistening with sweat. "What?" I snapped.

"What are you doing here?"

"I missed the softball weights, didn't I?"

"Yeah."

I groaned. How hadn't I woken up? Beckett was the loudest person in the house, yet I didn't hear him at all. I blamed Mom. She must've told him to be quiet.

"I gotta go."

I turned on my heel and headed back into the locker room. A blonde head poked out of the side of my vision, and I sighed. "Kiley!" I said, changing my direction toward her.

She looked up and her eyes went wide. "Where were you this morning?"

"Long story." I sucked in a breath. "Was Coach angry?"

"Angry doesn't describe how she was feeling."

I sank down to the bench and dropped my head into my hands. Kiley sat down next to me, resting her hand on my back. "I woke up late, and I'm pretty sure my mother purposely didn't wake me up."

"Why?"

"Harvey came to my house at midnight."

"Was it a booty call?"

I glared at her. "Of course not. He brought me two burritos because I was hungry. And we talked for a little bit, as well."

She looked like she didn't believe me. I crossed my arms as she said, "Whatever you say."

I didn't want to argue with her. I didn't have the strength. Instead, I grabbed my backpack and slung it across my shoulders. Standing up, I waved to Kiley before exiting the locker room. People rushed by, and I had to wait before walking to my first hour. Fortunately for me, I was an office runner. I could study for tests or just go on my phone for basically the whole time. 

"Cat! Wait up!"

Spinning around, I grinned when I saw Sophia. She pushed through the throng of people, not caring if she stepped on some feet. A few people glared at her. She ignored it all as she threw her arms around me. I stumbled against the sheer force of the girl and laughed. 

"Didn't I see you on Friday?"

"It's been too long."

"Are you sure? I think it's been too short."

She gasped and pulled away from me. Her hands settled on her hips in mock anger. "I think I'll go hang out with Chris and Ethan! Guys, wait up!"

She rocketed away from me, so I followed her. I couldn't find Chris and Ethan through the group of people in front of us. I tugged onto her arm to let her know I was still with her. She threw a smile at me before dragging me toward a side hallway. 

"Ethan!" she yelled.

Ethan turned around slowly, a frown on his face. Today his dreads were up in a ponytail, and he was sporting a band tee with shorts and flip-flops. "You look comfy," I said, looking him up and down.

"Why, thank you." He bowed slightly. "I was going for that look."

Ethan really looked like he could be on the football team with his muscles and tall stature. He proved everyone wrong in our freshman year by joining the swim team. He was also on the lacrosse team but only as the manager. 

"Where's Chris?" Sophia asked, glancing around.

"No idea." He paused, and his brown eyes flickered between the two of us. "Why?"

"Cat here said that she wished she'd spent more time away from me."

I raised my hands, shaking my head. "I didn't say that."

"What'd you say?"

I didn't know why Ethan was taking Sophia seriously. She always joked like this with everyone about me. I usually loved being the butt of the joke with her, but today I wasn't feeling it. I shrugged as Sophia went onto her tangent of how everyone loved her, especially me.

"Hey guys!"

I turned happily when I heard Chris's voice. He always balanced us out with his laid back attitude. His eyes took in my pleading face, so he said, "How does Hotcakes sound tonight?"

I mouthed 'thank you' to him. "Great!" Sophia chimed in.

"It's settled," he said, nodding. "Now, who knows where Harvey is?"

"The last time I saw him was in weights," I replied. 

Sophia gave me a look. I ignored it as Ethan said, "I gotta go. Priya is waiting for me."

"Does anyone else know how he got a girlfriend?" Sophia asked loudly as Ethan backtracked through the hallway. He threw her a smile before disappearing around the corner.

The first bell rang, signalling that we needed to get to class. Sophia split off from us, so Chris said, "What was that about?"

"I'm just having a bad day," I replied, shrugging. "I woke up late and got stuck in traffic and missed my weights session for softball."

"Maybe you shouldn't have come to school."

"I'm in many college courses, Chris. I can't miss because my day starts off bad."

He nodded. "AP Spanish is really kicking me this year. And I was raised speaking Spanish as well as English!"

"Ask your mom for help," I said, laughing. "She's Mexican, right?"

"Yeah, but she speaks in slang. The whole side of her family speaks in slang. They wouldn't be able to help me."

"I can't help you either." I laughed. "I gave up on Spanish last year. It was my worst class."

"You could've asked me."

"I did, remember?" I glanced at him to see a nod. "You turned me down because it was your grandmothers birthday."

"It was!" he said. 

I laughed and patted his arm. "Don't worry. This hot guy offered to help me last year."

"Did you do much studying?"

"Yes!" I defended. He laughed and wrapped an arm around my shoulder. I added, "He wasn't interested in me. He already had a girlfriend."

"That's what I thought."

We ended up in front of the office, and he took his arm off of my shoulders. "Thanks for dropping me off," I called as he started walking away.

"Anything for you!" he sang back.

I wasn't sure how he didn't have a girlfriend because he was so nice and laid back. He even was pretty cute, in a nerdy way. His glasses usually threw people off, especially when he told them he was on the basketball team. 

"Hi, Catherine!" Ms. Tyler said, the receptionist, when I entered the office. "It's going to be a busy day for you."

"Really?" I asked, deflating. "I was hoping for a free day."

"Did you have a bad morning?"

"Sort of."

"I'm sorry." Her face softened, but I knew she wouldn't give my passes to any of the other office runners here. Usually one guy showed up with me, and we were supposed to have three to help. 

"Can I have them now?" I held out my hand, and she set the paper into my palm. "I'll get right to it after the announcements."

"Okay."

I sat down at my desk in the corner and slid my backpack off to the ground. A girl walked in and stood at the desk, ready to say the announcements. I had no idea who she was, but her voice could honestly put me to sleep. It did one day, and I have never lived that down with the staff who worked in the office. 

"Hello and good morning, West Bridge! This week is full of exciting things, like the first regional baseball game on Friday!" I tuned out because I knew all the sports that were having their first games. Softball, unfortunately, had to wait another week. I was ready to get back out on the field.

I sifted through the slips in my hand and none of the names stood out to me. Soon, she was done with the announcements, so I stood up as well. I slipped the office lanyard around my neck and waved to Ms. Tyler. Thankfully they were already in order of the closest classroom so I didn't have to go running around the whole school. 

"Hudson!"

Why did people keep calling my name? I didn't really want to see them. Instead of walking away, I turned around to see Coach Kidman catching up to me. She didn't look disappointed like I thought, but she didn't look happy either. 

"Yes?" I asked.

"Where were you today?"

"I woke up late and then I fell after I showered and -"

She raised her hand and silenced me. "I don't want it to happen again, okay?"

I was surprised. She wasn't threatening to kick me off the team? "Thanks," I said after a pause.

"You're welcome."

I stayed there for a second. She had never acted like that. I must've looked as bad as I felt. 

"Hey! What are you doing out in the halls? You're supposed to be in class!"

I glared at the teacher before gesturing to my lanyard. I didn't even wait for him to answer; I stalked into a different hall. Maybe Chris was right. I should've stayed home today. My mood wasn't getting any better, and it started off bad, anyway. I just hoped that it would get better.