"The biology teacher is horrible," Natalie complains. We walk towards the biology classroom and stop by the tortoise tank. "We did a really good job on our report didn't we?"

"Yes we did," I sigh.

"And we got minus two points because we forgot to add a title to an image! This is an outrage!" She lifts her hands up in frustration. We start walking again and find Zack already waiting in front of the room with half of our class.

"I just got Instagram," I hear him proudly boast.

"I've had it since I was eleven," I mutter, unimpressed. Jonathan slides in next to him and says something. Zack laughs

"I've only had it since last night, I'm not gonna post shirtless pics so soon!" He smirks, speaking loud enough for everyone to hear him. He pretended not to notice some girls' heads turn his way.

"What's your username?" A girl asks. Another follows, and then another. Soon, everyone was asking. Natalie pulls me a little apart.

"Don't add him straight away, like every other girl. You have to play hard to get, because most of the boys don't go out with girls who are already swooning over them," she professionally points.

"Alright," I laugh. "Says the girl who doesn't have any experience in that matter." Natalie rolls her eyes.

"Just trying to help," she shrugs. A sudden idea pops in my head.

"You should become my personal assistant," I suddenly blurt out.

"That's an awesome idea!" She yells, gaining the attention of a few students. "Like your spy and everything!" She enthusiastically rubs her hands. I chuckle.

"Alright, you first mission will be to study and count the times her looks at me during biology class." She cheerfully nods. "Your report will have to be ready right after the bell rings." After a moment, we all walk in the classroom. He was two rows in four of us, and two seats on the right. I uncomfortably gestured until I found a food angle to watch him from.

Near the middle of the two-hour long lesson, I zoned out and kept my gaze outside. I emptied my mind and suddenly snapped out. I turned my head back towards the inside and tried focusing on one thing to accustom my eyes back to the dimness of the room. My eyes got used to the lighting and I realized j was staring strait back at Zack's eyes. He was mischievously smiling, trying to intimidate me.

I understood that this was going to turn into a battle of stares. Who could stand the longest without looking away? I raised my eyebrows, clearly showing him that that he didn't stand a chance. At that moment, the teacher interrogated him and he was forced to pull away. The bell rang and Nat reported, just like I asked.

"He looked at you six times, including the staring battle," she smirks, shooting me a knowing look. "Yeah, I noticed." I put my chin in my palm.

"He's just... Perfect," sighed.

"Ohh, it seems like someone is talking about me!" Ralph suddenly chimes in. We laughed, and I started gathering up my belongings as he strolled away. I spot Zack approaching us nonchalantly from the corner of the eye. I pretend not to notice as I zip my bag up.

"Hey Lyzy," he calls, squinting his eyes playfully at me. He pointed two fingers at his eyes and then at mine. "There'll be an extra time, and you'll be going down."

I smile, standing up arrogantly, and rolling my eyes. A corner smile appears on his lips and he winks at me while walking away. A short silence follows, broken by Nat's sudden gasp. "He winked at you!" She whisper yells. We both walk out the room and I laugh at her reaction. Kaila joins us and the three of us chat a while, before the girls have to leave for an option class they took.

I walk outside and settle down on a bench. Soon I see Lucy and her friends pass by. The popular girls continue walking chattering about their boyfriends, or a recent party they went to. Lucy stops and tells them something, smiling at me at the same time. The group nods and I see Lucy walk to me.

"Hey girl!" She happily sings.

"Hi Luce!" I reply, on the same tone.

"So! How's it going wit Zack?" She slyly starts, looking directly at me. I sadly laugh.

"Oh I don't know..." I slowly begin. "All I feel like right now is that it's moving at a snail's pace.... Maybe even slower."

"Don't worry!" She expertly advises. "It's normal, we're only at the starting point."

"Yeah, I guess you're right," I sigh.

"Who said I was ever wrong!" She teases, trying to lighten up my mood. I quietly laugh and look around. I quickly turn my attention back to Lucy as I hear her gasp. "I could ask him what he thinks about you, Lyzy!" She announces.

"Um... Yes," I hesitatingly accept. "But please be careful, I don't want Hume knowing I have a crush on him," I warn. "It might destroy all the chances I have with him..."

"Yes yes, I know!" She confidently reassures, sweeping away my worried sentence with her hand. "I'll ask about other girls first, before you! You can trust me," she confirms, on a more serious tone. I nod happily, and bounce up to throw my arms gratefully around her neck. She laughs, patting my back gently.

Back at my house, after dinner, I lazily made my legs drag myself to my room and flopped down on my bean bag. Maybe after all I could think that there was a possibility that I could go out with him...

A u t h o r ' s N o t e :

Short chapter, I know. *rubs hands diabolically* But as we all know, the saying goes "There's alway calm before the storm."

Who's your favorite character all the way here?