"Each new friendship can make you a new person, because it opens up new doors inside of you." ~ Katie DiCamillo

• • •

Knowing that this is our last week of term, I dress as lazily as possible in black leggings with a simple white and black striped top. I've completely lost all motivation and it's definitely showing.

Despite it being the end of October, the weather is unseasonably warm still at 24 degrees. Global warming, I'm telling you.

We're all sitting at the dining table eating breakfast silently when My mum speaks up.

"Do you want to invite a friend over after school today?" She asks.

Omari rolls his eyes. "I've told you before mum, I just don't like most people in my year." He goes to the same school as Marcel and I but he's only in year 9.

"Don't roll your eyes boy. Respect is important in this family." Dad states.

While my dad proceeds to lecture Omari, Nolan attempts to discreetly poor orange juice into Marcels bowl of cereal.

"Nolan, if you don't stop that right now." Says Marcel with obvious frustration.

Nolan blatantly ignores his empty threat and tries even harder by stretching his arm as far as possible. He eventually succeeds and laughs manically when he does. This boy is becoming more and more evil as the day goes by.

I watch in amusement as Marcel shoves Nolan away by placing his palm over his face.

For once, I'm not the one getting lectured or being annoying; it's a miracle.

All of a sudden, I receive a text.

Sexiest man alive: I'm taking you to school today. Be ready in 20.

I don't realise I'm smiling at my phone until my mum comments on it.

"Who are you texting Keziah?" She questions.

"Abel was just telling me he's taking me to school today."

"Hmm." She says before sipping her coffee. "I still want to meet the boy."

"Yes, you will. Eventually."

After eating, I go and grab my white converse and slip them on before putting my hair in a half up, half down kind of look. The red in my braids adds extra colour to my simple black and white outfit.

Abel texts me to let me know he's outside. I yell 'bye' to my family and head out. The first thing I notice is Tristan and Tatiana both waving at me through the car window.

"You're taking them to school today?" I ask as I reach his side of the car.

"Yeah, I hope you don't mind. They've been begging me since last week."

"No that's fine. Actually, can I go and get Nolan? I know he'd love to join them both."

"Sure."

I walk back into the house and grab Nolan by the hand after asking my parents if it was okay.

Just before we reach the car, Nolan takes off at a fast sprint that I didn't know his little legs were capable of. "Trist and Tati!" He yells.

I help strap him in safely and finally jump into the passenger seat next to Abel.

"Hi." I say.

"Hey." He replies.

We both stare at each other for while with me thinking about the kiss we shared this weekend. The fact that he looks so good today really isn't helping matters.

"Can you drive already!" Shouts Tristan, breaking us from the trance we were in.

"Yeah, we're gonna be late Abey." Adds Tatiana.

"They were looking at each other because they like each other." Nolan attempts to whisper to the others.

All three of them burst into giggles and talk happily about almost everything. To be so young and innocent is a beautiful thing.

Instead of the usual 15-minute journey that it would be, it takes half an hour since we had to drop the little ones off.
They go to Rosemond primary which is ten minutes away from our school. After a few hugs and kisses goodbye, Abel and I head off.

Abel clears his throat. "I have to take the twins to karate after school so I won't be able to drive you home today."

"Oh, that's fine, I wasn't expecting you to. I'll get a ride from Marcel probably."

"Don't you like me taking you to and from school?"

"I do. I just don't expect you to do it all the time, you're not my chauffeur after all."

Abel frowns slightly before replying. "But why wouldn't I if I like doing it?"

I roll my eyes at his confused tone and step out of the car without responding.

"Keziah, slow down." He says while jogging towards me. "For someone so short, you move pretty fast sometimes."

Abel wraps his arms around my shoulders as he speaks so I elbow him in the ribs. Immediately, he removes his arms and rubs the pained area. "Ow! Geez Keziah, what was that for?"

I stop just before the entrance into school and cross my arms while facing him. "I am not short."

I turn on my heel and continue into the building.

"Okay, okay." He says after reaching me. "But how tall are you again?"

"I'm 5 ft 2."

Abel gives me a pointed look.

"It's not my fault I'm vertically challenged!" I yell out loud attracting the attention of my fellow peers.

Abel chuckles loudly and pulls me close. "It's alright short stack, I happen to find your height incredibly adorable."

I scoff at the nickname feeling frustrated from his taunting. "Let's just get this presentation over and done with.

• • •

After English I had Psychology and now Biology. I head to main block where Biology is held. Unfortunately for me, I got switched into a new class for this subject which none of my friends are in. That makes me a sad, lonely girl.

Sighing dramatically, I take a seat on the empty desk at the back of the room.

"How's the lonely life going?" Asks Marie smugly. Marie is probably one of the most annoying girls in my year. She likes to mock people for no particular reason and takes extreme joy in it. What a sadist.

"It's fantastic Marie. I much prefer it to your whiny voice. Now if you're done talking, please leave me alone." I retort back.

The rest of the class who we listening 'oohs' and laughs in amusement.

Marie gasps in annoyance before stomping to her desk.

I roll my eyes at her immaturity just as my teacher walks in.

Dr Keaten is a snobby guy with a stick constantly up his butt. He has one of those ugly moustaches that curl up at the tips practically covering his mouth completely. He always has a frown on his face and I have never ever seen the man smile. Like never. I just don't know how he keeps such a straight face all the time. I can feel my mood dropping just by being in his presence.

"Today, we're doing a practical experiment; everyone will participate in the dissection of a heart. I don't want any whiney complaints from the girls and no unnecessary messes from the boys. I will put you into pairs; I don't care if you don't get along. What I say goes." He drones monotonously.

It's ironic that we're dissecting a heart since it's clear he doesn't have one.

"Keziah, you're with Noah today."

The guy with wavy chestnut brown hair seated at the desk in front of me turns around and shoots me a cocky grin. "Looks like it's you and me darling."

I roll my eyes at his poor attempt to flirt before going over the instructions in front of me.

Once Dr Keaten has finished talking, everyone moves around to sit with their partners meaning Noah moves to sit next to me.

"Okay, I don't know if you take this class seriously but passing it is important for me so don't mess up this experiment with your stupid antics." I state matter of factly.

"Feisty. I like it." He responds with a nod.

Shaking my head, I begin to work on the heart in front of me.

"So how come I don't see you around darling?"

"We're obviously not in the same classes Noah. Give me the scalpel."

"And that is a true shame. I'm saddened by the fact I don't see your gorgeous face everyday."

"Are you just going to stand there and talk my ear off or actually help me out here?" I state with slight irritation.

"Personally, I'd prefer to watch you work. At least then I have something nice to look at."

Does this boy never stop?

Deciding to ignore his comment, I continue slaving away.

Unfortunately for me, Noah doesn't take the hint. "So how's your day been?"

"Are you single?"

"Do you think I'm hot?" I actually scoff at that one.

Noah decided to switch tactics by using several horrific pick up lines.

"If you were a library book, I'd check you out."

"Are you a parking ticket? Cause you've got fine written all over it."

"If you were a chicken, you'd be impeccable."

I actually pause what I'm doing to look at him.

I stare for a few seconds before bursting into laughter.

"That was awful! Where do you get these from?" I squeeze out in between my laughter.

"Hey! I made those up and I think they're amazing."

"Of course you do. Just promise me you'll never use them on anyone else."

"Oh so you want to keep them all to yourself huh?"

I shove Noah off his seat while we both start laughing.

"Miss Callayo and Mr Reyes, I fail to see the humour in the dissection of a heart." He states with boredom.

Attempting to quiet our laughter only makes it worse. It's not long before tears are rolling down our cheeks from the amusement.

• • •
A/N:
Has anyone ever given you a funny nickname for your height?

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