“So what class are you going to next?” Jack asked, his hair falling in his face. Both Jayymii and Alex pulled out their schedules as well as Jack. “Chemistry. With Mr.Griffiths,” I whisper, glancing at my own set of papers. “Yes! Me too! Maybe we’ll be partners!” Jack exclaims. “Well, me and Alex are off to gym with Mrs. Caten.” Jayymii states. “Ugh gym.” Alex groans. “Oh get over it. At least I’ll be with you sitting on the bleachers.” The bell rang signaling the end of class. I sigh. Okay, so two classes and one group project down. Only six more classes to go. I waited for everyone else to leave, only for Jayymii to turn around, smiling at me. “You coming?” I nod. “Well what are you waiting for? Christmas?” Alex wrapped an arm around Jayymii’s waist after he threw his backpack over his shoulder. She threw her bag at him, pecking his cheek. “Payback.” “Ugh! I have to carry your bag too?” groans exasperated, but yet he’s still smiling at her. I trail behind them as they file out of the classroom. “Do you know where Mr. Griffiths classroom is?” Jack asks as soon as we got out of the other room. I shake my head. “Neither do I. I guess we get to explore!” I nod, following behind him. It doesn’t take long to find the classroom. Luckily, it’s close to the history room. “Names?” The teacher asks as soon as Jack and I enter the room. “Barakat and…” Jack trails off. “Pierce.” I answer. “Great, you’re partners.” Mr. Griffiths monotones. “Wait, really?” Jack excitedly inquires. “Yes, really. Now take your seats.” I follow behind Jack as he chooses our seats. “Can we sit in the back?” I question as he sits in the middle of the room. “Of course we can!” He smiles, grabbing his things and moving to the back of the room. I follow him, taking my seat to his left. “Thank you,” I whisper, grabbing a notebook. “No problem Maxxi!” He smiles, “Now first things first, partner, do you want to be an astronomer? Because I’ll make you see stars!” “Oh my God. You did not just say that.” I giggle. He laughs. “I did say that. I’m sorry.” “Don’t apologize. But my question is, are you really think I’m cute or are you just getting close to me to leave?” “I… Um… I really think you're cute and I promise I won't get close then leave. That is unless you want me… I mean I don't want to scare you away or something. I mean uh… I'll shut up now…” Jack’s voice gets lower and less confident with each word, as his gaze drops to his feet. “No, no! I wasn’t saying that! You’re not scaring me away! I just… uh… don’t want to deal with what my last school was like. I don’t want to be around people who will get really close to me just to use what I say against me and…” I rant, trying to show what I meant. “I'd never do that.” I roll my eyes. “Yeah, I’ve heard that before.” “I mean it. I swear on my love for Home Alone and Nightmare Before Christmas!” “You’re a Home Alone fan? That’s my favorite Christmas movie!” “A James Bond fan and a Home Alone fan? I found my dream girl!” “I wouldn’t say that. I’m a nightmare more than a dream.” “We’ll see about that, dream girl,” “Then I guess you just have to keep dreaming, brown eyes.” “See, now you get it!” he laughs, only to be quieted by the teacher seconds after. “Is this teacher normally that harsh?” I whisper. He shrugs. Great. He’s one of those teachers. Mr.Griffiths clears his throat. “Pierce, Barakat. Do you have something to share with the class?” I freeze. No. No. I am not speaking in front of the class. Not at all. “No sir.” Jack speaks for us. Thank you Jack! “Good. Now as I was saying…” Mr.Griffiths drones on. I tune out almost immediately. Flipping to a new page in my notebook, I continue where I left off. Some days I’m writing music, some days it’s poems, some days it’s stories. It all just depends on the day. “What are you working on?” Jack asks, leaning over my shoulder. “Song, I think,” I whisper back, “And thank you for speaking earlier.” “No problem, and what do you mean you think?” he leans back in his seat. “I mean it might be a song, it might not.” “Oh.” We don’t speak again until the end of class. “So where are you headed to now?” he asks, packing his things. “Uh…” I glance at my schedule, “Gym.” “Oh,” he says slightly disappointed, “I’m headed to English.” “Don’t sound so sad.” “Why not?” “Cause I said so?” I try. He nods, holding the door for me as we leave. “See you around, dream girl.” “See you around, brown eyes.”