I walked down the hallway, closely followed by my friends as I reached my locker. I opened my lock and grabbed the handle to open it as one of them, Jack, started talking. "Have you seen the new girl? She's pretty hot, not gonna lie," he said, chortaling.

I rolled my eyes. "You literally think every girl in this tiny school is hot."

Henry, the genius, folded his arms and proceeded to annoy me. "Actually, every girl but Josephina." Jack nodded agreeingly. "Every girl but her. She gives me shivers," he said, rubbing his arms as if she just walked by." Besides, I need you to talk to her," he added, nodding at me.

I opened my locker and grabbed my cursed-math book. "If she's so hot, why do you have a problem with talking to her. You have no problem opening your mouth, so go introduce yourself or something." Jack vigorously shook his head. "No, if I do that, it'll look like I'm obsessed with her, and it'll look like I'm not open for the ladies when I definitely am."

"Wow, you sure thought of everything, Jack," chimed in Tobias. "Shut up, Toby. Stop taking Jack's side. His side sucks," I said, taking a sip of my water and slamming my locker shut.

Henry opened his mouth. "Don't even," I threaten, pointed at him. Jack leaned against the lockers and smiled. "You look like you need help," Henry commented, shooting me a glare.

Jack shushed him. "She's coming, she's coming!" he panicked.

I glanced over my shoulder and my breath jumped. Shoot, Jack might have been right at least once.

A blondie strolled down the hallway, wearing gray jeans and a tie-dyed shirt with her hair in a long, single braid running down her torso. She wore see through brown glasses and carried her books almost carelessly. She walked up to the locker next to mine and glared at Jack, who happened to be leaning on it. "Excuse you," she said, shoving him off it and opening the lock with one try.

Jack regained his posture almost immediately. "You're-uh-really good with that lock. It takes me at least seven tries to open it," he said, laughing. His voice faded away as she changed her books and left. He turned back to us, a faint pink tinge in his cheeks. " . . .You guys didn't see that, right? Yeah," he said, putting a hand behind his neck. He looked at me. "Go talk to her for me, now," he said, watching her anxiously as she kept going farther and farther away.

"Fine, but you owe me," I said, glaring at him and turning toward the girl. "Here we go," I muttered under my breath.

I walked toward her and my feet caught. I stumbled, and fell into another girl, Emily, trying to regain my balance. She fell backward and I leaped up to catch her. "I'm sorry, Em," I said, helping her up. She brushed her hair out of her face. "Thanks, Aiden." She walked away. I turned around and saw the blondie, right in front of me. I ran a shaky hand through my hair. "Hello, I'm Aiden," I said, and stuck out my hand.

Ayla

I strolled out of my English class and down to the water fountain at the edge of the hallway when a huge guy with no idea what deodorant was blocked my way.

“Excuse you,” I said, looking down, hoping to avoid a fight or argument.

The guy laughed threateningly and I recognized his voice. “I’m definitely excused. You’re the one in my way.”

I looked up. Oh, boy. “Whatever, Jack.” He seemed stunned that I knew his name.

I’ve got Aiden to thank for that. His name sent shivers down my spine.

“Is it true you told Aiden that I’m definitely lovesick from an old relationship and I deserve to go to the flea market to get a life? And there’s a cute girl in Canada that you think I’d like?” He seemed hopeful about the-apparent-Canadian girl that would interest him.

“Sure. Now can I go?” I asked, trying to edge around him. “I’m going to be late to class.”

He blocked my way even more. “No. I’m not done talking to you.”

“Well, I’m done talking to you. If it’s needed, I’ll take another way to my class, “ I said, turning around. Jack’s voice was impatient now.

“Listen, I need a date for the Fall Fling, and if I come with someone all the other women will back off of me,” he said, getting angry.

“So, apparently, the ‘someone’ in this situation is the new girl.” I said, turning back to him and putting my item-free hand on my hips. The bell rang overhead. “Look, can we talk about this later,” I said, mirroring his annoyance.

“Fine. Lunch. See you then,” he said, a small smirk curling on his lips and jogging away to his class.

I stood there for a moment, got a drink-hey, if I’m late, I’ll get what I need-and headed off to my next class.