"So, you planning on telling me what the Hell happened on your romantic evening with Oriana last week? Or are you two going to completely diss me and ignore me? Because, you really can't hide on this issue, because that handprint on your cheek speaks volumes!" Alex drawled, picking up his tray from the long line of teenagers hurriedly passing through the feeding frenzy known as their lunch period. He halted halfway through the massive crowds of teenagers hurrying to various tables. He started to crane his neck in search of Teagan or Oriana. Frankly, Alex's first week of school had been less than appealing.
The majority of people had been extremely kind and Oriana had traveled him through the circles of people he should know, but Howie and Oriana's issue was agonizing. They refused to speak to one another, but Howie managed to drag him into the middle while Oriana completely pushed anyone and everyone away. Alex had hardly seen her at home and when he did, it was her backside locking herself in her room.
"How many times do I have to say I don't want to talk about it?" Howie groaned as a freshman pushed past him, almost spilling his tray of slop the school called food. He got death glares by every football player since the minute he stepped into the building that morning, especially Luke.
The only ones who seemed happy with the rumors were Brian and Ace. They always made sure to be talking about how nasty his cheek looked with Oriana's handprint almost branded on when he walked by. Although whenever Teagan was around, Brian would pretend to be upset and comforting his girlfriend on the bad status between Howie and Oriana.
"Only as many times as you need so you can start believe that giant load of bullshit," Alex commented with a sweet smile, causing Howie to immediately wince. Alex softened for a moment, moving when he caught sight of Teagan in the far corner of the cafeteria. "Look, Man, Ry won't even give me a heads up... So there's no way I can do damage control without you giving me some pieces. Isn't that what best friends are for?"
"Can't do much damage control if she hates my guts," Howie muttered, running a hand through his messy curls. Not seeing any reason to look decent, he had just rolled out of bed that morning. It had been a rough one, for all of the football players gave Howie death glares and cold stares as he walked through the hallways to class. The only ones who seemed to be celebrating were Ace and Brian. That is, Brian was celebrating when Teagan wasn't around, who was upset about the weekend and was also being shut out by Oriana like Alex. "All I know is that my whole plan blew up in my face, I've lost the one girl I've wanted for so long and... well, being dead sounds a lot better at the moment than being lonely."
"Dead? Dude, check the tiara at the door because I don't deal with that kind of drama," Alex groaned, stopping Howie from walking any further into the cafeteria. He sized up his muscular friend, deciding if given the opportunity, he could tackle him without cause.
"I didn't say you had to deal with it. It's a lost cause. I'm just going to leave her alone. Why don't you give me that same respect and leave me alone?" Howie snapped, walking away from Alex.
"Because I can't exactly leave your ass alone when you're talking about death! Do you have any idea how your sisters would murder me? Because pink nail polish and lipstick come to mind along with massive nail clippers not meant for my nails!" Alex countered, following Howie closely. He was about to continue, but immediately reached out to grab Howie's collar. The older boy stumbled back with a frosty glare and Alex returned to look. "I just figured that you wouldn't want to get caught with her at the table since you're leaving her alone!" Alex screeched, motioning to the far corner where Oriana had entered the cafeteria.
"Does it look like I was going to eat there? There are other tables ALL OVER this room. Give it a rest, man. Maybe she and I just weren't meant to be, no matter what I believed. Just leave me alone before I have to make you," Howie ripped himself out of Alex's grip.
"You're a real asshole, you know that? Maybe she should take Mac's offer up for when he comes back for Homecoming!" Alex growled, unable to let anything die.
"I'm the asshole? You don't know anything about how Mac really is, do you? I've heard rumors about him, and they're not pretty. So be careful what you say. I'll be after your ass if anything happens to her," Howie hissed, poking Alex hard in the chest to accent his last four words.
"What rumors? And why would it be my ass? And why the Hell do you care in the first place? Thought you were just going to let everything die," Alex fired without warning, immediately rubbing his sore chest. Howie's wrath was not to be tampered with, yet Alex faced the flames.
"What Mac wants Mac gets. No matter what the girl says. It will be your ass because you would have been the one ton convince her to see Mac and something bad will happen. I care because no one deserves to be pushed into something they don't want. And if you don't back off right now, I'll kick your fucking ass and I don't care if you're my best friend," Howie seethed, balling his hands into fists.
"I would push her into seeing any guy. In fact, she seemed pretty interested when he called her last night. She was all about hanging out with him and forgetting you. He seemed like a pretty good guy, cheering her up, making her laugh. How about that?" Alex continued, not really able to stop his mouth from blabbing. Frankly, he had eavesdropped on her phone conversation last night because he couldn't stand not speaking to her. Mac gave him the creeps, but if he could just tempt Howie into confronting Oriana, something might happen.
"Shut your fucking mouth, Alex. I'm warning you," Howie growled, throwing his tray and Alex's on an empty table. He pushed the younger man into the wall by all the vending machines, hidden from all teachers. "And you're lying about Mac being a great guy. He freaks everyone out, so don't give me that bullshit!"
"What the Hell is your problem? Damnit, Howie! I'm just trying to help you!" Alex yelped in shock, stumbling back into the wall. He hadn't been prepared for that flare.
"Help me? Help me? You think this is helping me?! I warned you to just leave all this alone, but no! You had to keep talking about shit you know will piss me off!"
"Well, how else am I going to get you to confront Oriana? Truth be told, no, I don't want her going out with Mac. But, damnit, they were planning shit on the phone about Homecoming. He promised to take her and finish things or whatever, she got kind of quiet. I don't know what the Hell that was about, but damnit, Howie. You can't let her just go!"
"She won't talk to me, look at me-- Hell, she's not even talking to you or Teagan! How can I do anything?!"
"She's talking to Teagan right now," Alex flinched.
"What?" Howie craned to look over at the table Oriana was at and sure enough, she was talking to Teagan. "I still don't see how I can do anything."
"At least go over there when she's done and talk to Teagan... Maybe she'll have some news for you."
"Yeah, that Oriana wants me to go to Hell and get all my skin burnt off."
"Nah... She just likes leaving handprints..."
"Thanks for rubbing that in," Howie winced, raising a hand to his cheek.
"Sorry..."
"Look, Alex. I didn't mean to be such a jerk. This weekend has just been so shitty and--"
"I can imagine..." Alex interrupted, shrugging his slender shoulders. He moved passed Howie, noticing Oriana was now sitting on the table, speaking excitedly with Teagan about something. He paused, turning back to the fumbling Howie. "You going to sit with us?"
"No, I'm not hungry anymore. I'm just going to head up to band and practice on my solo for Homecoming," Howie replied, not wanting to scare off Oriana. "I'll see Teagan next hour anyway, so I can talk to her then."
"Howie, stop being a pussy," Alex groaned, tugging on his friend's arm. "We'll just wait for her to go sit with the team before we sit down."
"I'm not being a pussy, I'm not hungry and I need to practice," Howie objected, yelping at the strength Alex had to pull him.
"This coming from the asshole that got a Superior and practices every night for two hours. Trust me, you'll be prepped enough," Alex persuaded, obviously not taking 'no' for an answer.
Oriana seemed quite entertained as she hurriedly rushed into the cafeteria, searching for Teagan's usual spot nestled amongst popular tables, just adjacent to the team's table. Her sapphire-emerald eyes sparked with appreciation when she located Teagan, immediately diving passed people to reach her target. She seemed to forget all her wooes about Howie as she jumped onto the table, rushing with a slur of vocabulary, "Gabby! I just got the best news from Mrs. Coach! I mean... Mrs. Hanson!"
"Mrs. What? Who? What news?" Teagan asked, completely confused.
"Mrs. Coach!" Oriana groaned with an amused laugh, tossing her light purple Jansport to the side. She didn't seem to notice Alex and Howie carefully watching her every move as she perched on the top of the table. She smiled impishly, waiting for Teagan to recognize the name. Yet, Teagan blanked, causing Oriana to groan. "Mrs. Hanson... Coach Hanson's wife? Drama Teacher and Choir Director in charge of all our Musicals and Plays?"
"Ohhh! Why didn't you say so?" Teagan replied with a laugh. "What did Mrs. Hanson tell you?"
"I've always called her Mrs. Coach---"
"No one else does, you dork. Just tell me the news!"
"Well, it was my own little name for her since I spend so much time with Coach and..." Oriana paused for a moment, finding herself side-tracking. She groaned softly, digging into her backpack for her usual apple and Pepsi. She then turned to her friend again. "Anyway! Guess who got the inside scoop on our new Musical for Senior year?"
"Dude, she told you?" Teagan squealed excitedly, clapping her hands. She pushed her lunch of a peanut butter, banana and jam sandwich, apple and Mountain Dew away and started to bounce in her seat. "Tell me, what is it? Tell me!"
"Dude, please, I so got that woman wrapped around my little finger!" Oriana joked, twirling her index finger with amusement. She offered her infamous impish grin, her eyes still excitedly twinkling. "Well, she approached me after Anatomy and Physiology. She told me that I need to get my dancing shoes ready and my talented artistic nature... I just kind of looked at her... She said she wants me to direct choreography and direct making all the scenery for our new musical! How kick-ass is that?!"
"That's kick-ass! But I have one teeny-weeny problem with that."
"What?"
"You didn't tell what the new musical is!"
"Oh!" Oriana grinned sheepishly, running her fingers through her tussled blonde curls. "Looks like you're going to be starring as Sandy in our Grease Production."
"Wait, what? Did you just say we're going to do GREASE this year?!" Teagan screeched.
"Well, that's the only musical I know with the lead role as a girl named Sandy..." Oriana drawled with thought, causing Teagan to burst into a round of excited giggles. Oriana arched her light brows in question with a playful roll of her eyes. "But, please, you're forgetting the most important part! Like the fact that I get to smooth out the beat to the ultimate nerd dance!"
"You're going to make this the greatest production of Grease in the history of producing Grease!" Teagan cheered, giggling still. It had been her dream for so long to be in Grease and to play Sandy.
"Yeah, and the drama department is already looking for the perfect blonde wig to match you for Sandy."
"No! Are they, really?"
"Gabby, for the three years that we've already spent in this institution, who has always had the female leads in all our musicals and school plays?"
"Me?"
"And who do you think will get the lead?"
"Me," Teagan declared with a funny grin.
"Yeah, you," Oriana groaned, rolling her eyes yet again. Teagan was what everyone would call Miss Popular. She had an angelic voice that the crowd seemed to fall in love with each year and her charisma on stage was unbeatable. Oriana had always been proud of Teagan for that, knowing it took too much courage to stand upon the stage and offer your vulnerable side.
"I can't believe we're finally doing Grease! This is fantastic! Did Mrs. Hanson say when try-outs were going to start?" Teagan asked, picking up her sandwich and eagerly choking it down.
"Um... October-ish? Right after Homecoming..."
"Whoo-hoo! I gotta start practicing my song now!"
"Yeah, I figured," Oriana murmured, finally noticing Brian approaching out of the corner of her eye. She turned slightly to hop off the table, then noting that Howie and Alex were approaching from her other side. She tensed immediately, deciding she would be damned if she were to get caught in those flames. She hurriedly pushed her apple in her mouth to keep from speaking as the three boys sat down, all staring at her.
"CHERRY-BOMB! GET'CHER ASS OVER HERE! TEAM TABLE MEANS THE WHOLE DAMN TABLE'S FILLED WITH THE TEAM! BESIDES, I NEED THE DETAILS ON THE LITTLE FLAME YOUR BUILDING WITH MAC-ATTACK, LET'S GO!" Ace hollered, breaking the silence at the table.
"That's my bellow," Oriana trailed toward Teagan, shrugging her shoulders.
"Better go before Ace loses the few brain cells he has left," Teagan frowned a little, shrugging as well. "See you later."
"'Dios, Gabberino," Oriana called, offering her hand to do their familiar handshake. She could feel Howie's eyes blaze through her entire being, but ignored the feeling as she turned. She was about to jump in between Jace and Luke, but remembered the vital information Coach Hanson had delivered. She groaned openly, dumping her backpack and apple on the table. She grabbed her Pepsi and crossed back to the table. "Brian?"
"What?" Brian asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Coach Hanson said you were interested in joining the team. Practice is today at 2:30 sharp. He says not to be late if you're looking for an try-out," Oriana explained, maintaining a cool exterior. She popped the top from her Pepsi, taking a long swallow to get a rush of caffeine. "Oh, and don't expect anyone to take it easy on you. We're rough-and-ready during practices and always play to win."
"I don't expect to get anything the easy way. I work for what I want, thank you very much," Brian replied, not snapping at Oriana in front of his girlfriend. "I'll be there this afternoon."
"We look forward to testing your skills," Oriana countered with a sickly sweet smile.
"I'll be looking forward to showing you," Brian replied, smiling as well. But to Alex and Howie, it looked more like he was baring his teeth towards Oriana.
"I know, but the best part is I'll show you how to properly deflect anything you throw my way," she answered with a simple shrug of her shoulders, hearing Ace demanding her presence at the table.
"Sounds great. But it sounds like your boys are calling you. Too bad you have to leave now."
"Yeah, such a damn shame. We never get to talk enough, Bri-Bear," Oriana sighed dramatically, leaning down to offer Brian a hug. She decided to play his game, quickly whispering into his ear, "But please, remember, they're my boys and my team. You don't have a chance."
"That's what you think. Just watch your back this afternoon," he whispered back before they broke away. "See you later, Oriana!"
"Check you later, Bri-Bear," she cooed, taking particular delight when he flinched. She smiled sweetly, finally motioning toward Alex. "Hey, Jamie, c'mere. I want to introduce you to someone."
"Introduce me to who?" Alex asked with a raised eyebrow, standing up and following Oriana.
"Jace from the team. Dude's looking to start a band, needs some heavy base in there, told him you dabbled in it and kicked out a mean tune on the Sax. Figured you might give it a go at least... Unless you want to apply for the position of a Go-Go Dancer, I hear the skimpy thong bikini accents only the best."
"No, I think I'll take on the music part. I just don't look good in a thong bikini," Alex immediately objected. "Which one's Jace?"
"The dude smiling like a devil at me because he's picturing me in that thong," she laughed.
"Umm... half the team is grinning like that."
"Okay, the brunette with blonde tips. You see him?" she replied with a groan.
"Gotcha, the one by Luke?"
"Yeah, the one by Luke."
"Hell yeah your brother better know my name!" Luke chortled, immediately bringing the two into the team's lunch table. Alex was immediately welcomed with a roar of laughter, conversations immediately flying around the table about Oriana and Mac.
"Has a funny way of showing she's upset, huh?" Teagan drawled softly when she noticed Howie's eyes intensely fixed upon the football table. She felt a pain of guilt flood her system as Brian kissed her cheek, moving to get some lunch. She felt horrible for the way Howie was getting treated by Oriana, but it was just Oriana's way of coping.
"Funny doesn't even describe it. She's actually upset?" Howie asked as more commented floated their way about Oriana meeting up with Mac at Homecoming and other things he didn't want to hear. He knew that Mac was trouble.
"You can't just look at her body language, Howie. You've got to look into those eyes of hers... They tell you everything and anything you'll ever want to know. She's really upset about what happened between you... She just doesn't know how to fix it," Teagan tried to explain, frowning when she heard the mention of Oriana and Mac linked at Homecoming. "Lord, I don't want to have to pull her from his car again..."
"Teagan, what exactly happened last year at Homecoming? All I hear is that one sentence and someone always interrupts," Howie asked, curious on how Mac was and how he would have to get him away from Oriana.
"Say huh?" Teagan deadpanned for a moment, coining Oriana's favorite phrase.
"All I ever hear you say about the whole Mac and Oriana thing is 'Lord, I don't want to have to pull her from his car again'... what happened?"
"Nothing, just some stupid football prank," Teagan tried to cover, not really wanting to let Oriana's secrets loose. She didn't need that rumor getting spread all over the school, not that it hadn't made its rounds last year.
"Teagan... did he try to force her into... you know. Because if he did, he won't get near her this time nor any other time. I will not let her get hurt," Howie replied.
Teagan quickly glanced around, noticing Brian still waiting in the line for food. She hurriedly slid closer to Howie, bending down so she only held his attention. She spoke softly, "Look, Mac has always been aggressive, that's why Coach Hanson made him Captain last year... But, Oriana was getting MVP every year and taking that away from him. Mac could have any girl he wanted at this school...but Riana. And we both know she has that... I don't even know what to call it, but guys fall for it every single time... So, Mac invited her to Homecoming. She thought it was alright, figuring he was a team member and Luke was dating Dee at the time. He ended up saying he was going to drive her home, only he parked off at the beach and locked the doors... He's got to be on steroids or something, because he pinned her like a freaking beast... She was so close to... It was just a miracle that I found the damn car at that exact moment or God knows what Oriana would be dealing with right now... It was hard enough explaining the bruises..."
"Bruises? He hurt her that badly?" Howie whispered, shocked that any man would treat a woman the way Mac did to Oriana.
"Yeah, bruises all over the place. It could have been worse... I mean, he was on top of her, her clothes were shred... He pinned her like she was some kind of animal, arms above her head, him straddling her hips... She could have been raped..." Teagan explained, glancing down at the table top.
"Oh my God. And I'm guessing that Oriana never went to the police?"
"I tried to get her to go, but she refused. Said something like she had brought it on herself... which is a damn lie, Mac just can't be rejected and he thought she wanted him when she didn't. No one on the team trusts him except for Ace, and that's because they're both conceited assholes," Teagan replied. She had never liked neither Mac or Ace, and knew they were both trouble.
"But---"
"It's just how Oriana is..." Teagan fumbled to explain, shrugging her lean, bare shoulders. "She keeps secrets, because she doesn't want to hurt anyone. Can't afford to break anyone's heart. She's too damn innocent sometimes. Too innocent for her own good."
"Isn't there anything anyone can do?"
"Well, I was hoping it'd be you," Teagan confided with a sad smile, glancing behind her for just a moment to catch Oriana's form. On the outside, everyone saw the happy-go-lucky girl cracking jokes with an impish smile always forming. She had a way of making anyone feel better, even under the worst circumstances. Yet, she was hurting so much herself. Teagan sighed, turning back to eat her sandwich.
"You're her best friend, T. Is there something you could tell me that can help me with all this?" Howie asked, close to pulling out his hair. "Honest, I didn't think I did anything wrong on our date. She was being flirty and we were just fooling around with innocent kisses and stuff. She was saying how I have this Machismo thing and I was playing along with it when she just freaked on me. I tried to apologize, but she wouldn't listen. How can I make her listen?" He wanted to be with Oriana so badly, but didn't know how to make her see that he wasn't like the others.
"Usually I just lock us in her room till she talks... But I don't think that'd work with you guys," Teagan answered, drumming her fingers on the table top. She glanced up to see Brian finally paying for his items in the line of students. She could hardly comprehend Oriana's emotions against Howie. Frankly, Teagan thought Oriana felt for Howie what Teagan felt for Brian. And she couldn't possibly last a day without Brian. "I just think that you need to keep being there for her. Don't push her away because she's an airhead and completely idiotic when it comes to relationships..."
"She acts like such a guy, can I just say that?" Howie groaned openly, pressing his forehead to the table with aggravation. High School had been nothing but full of drama since he caught Oriana's gaze. Why had he fallen for her in the first place?
"Look at who she hangs out with," Teagan drawled with a small smile, motioning behind her. Oriana was perched amongst a huddle of men, hurriedly throwing bets in for an arm wrestle. She chomped down on Luke's piece of pizza before hurriedly locking arms with another brute, the others counting down. "It's just her nature, Howie."
"Yeah..."
"Don't you love her and miss her?"
"Yeah..."
"Then do something about it! I've done all I can in the best friend section," Teagan replied, gently grasping Howie's chin so their contrasting eyes locked. "She needs you and you need her."
"But---"
"Stop being bullheaded like her and get her back in your life."
Howie was about to speak again, but a sharp contrasting giggle alerted him to a possible situation. He cringed openly as Brian quickly seated himself as the Cheerleading Captain and her posse of androids followed behind her. She offered an airy smile, alerting everyone to the typical dimwitted stereotype that always hung above the girls' heads. Yet, she didn't care as she flicked away a soft strand of bleach blonde hair, offering Howie a fiery pink shirt. "This is for you for the next game!"
"Um... thanks," Howie mumbled, taking the shirt from the lead girl.
"Don't forget to wear it, Cutie! See you there!" she blew Howie a kiss and walked away, the girls following her.
"You'll make quite the fashion statement," Teagan pondered with amusement, taking the shirt from Howie's grasp. She held it up for view, immediately smothering a snicker of amusement. It was a fiery pink shirt decorated with glittery kisses and various shades of pink hearts. The back was scripted with a flowery writing: RI-RI'S #1 FAN AND CUTIE PIE! Which compared to the front with the same writing: #17'S LOVEY DOVEY HUBBY.
"I am burning this the minute I get home. Dee and Ella are making me one in a color I want anyway," Howie replied, taking back the shirt and stuffing it deep into his red Nike backpack.
"Not if you don't get back with Riana."
"Either way I'm not keeping this pink one and you know I'm going to get back with her. I have to--"
"Good thing, because you'd definitely look like an ass wearing that to the next game when you weren't even attached to her," Teagan snorted, stumbling away to grab a snack from the vending machine.
"You don't have to tell me twice," Howie muttered, reaching over to grab his tray of food. His mother always seemed to know if he didn't eat.
"Obviously, you only need a slap to get the message," Brian mumbled, smirking with a devilish smile. He couldn't have asked for a better gift. He had already been planning to ruin the relationship, but damn, Howie had created the disaster himself.
"Was I talking to you? Hmm... no. I've heard enough of the shit you and Ace have been spreading around the school. So just shut your mouth now before you start," Howie snapped, shooting Brian a cold glare.
"Honestly, I heard you didn't pay her enough for the sex... Damn, who knew a twenty-five cent whore would really be interested in raising the price to five bucks..." Brian continued, knowing the exact buttons to press.
"Brian, you don't know anything about Oriana or what happened. Shut the fuck up," Howie gritted his teeth.
"I also know she gave it to Mac for free. That's got to hurt the pride, huh, D? Having to pay for sex when Christina gave it to you for free... Of course, you never could satisfy Christina... So, figures you wouldn't be able to hold onto that loose wench."
"I'm fucking warning you!" Howie reached over and grasped Brian's shirt collar, yanking him to his feet.
"You're dangerously close to getting kicked out of school. I'd watch that smartass mouth of yours..." Brian taunted further, noticing everyone's gazes were slowly drawing to the two boys in the far corner of the cafeteria. "She's nothing but a whore, Howie. A diseased little whore who only needs a little dick to make her squeal. Cum Catcher Queen is what they're calling her. You can do better, A LOT better. Like I said before, if you need a good screw, take Christina, she's a lot cleaner."
Howie was prepared to attack, swallowing the lump of anger growing in his throat. He noticed his lunch sitting close to the edge of the table as Brian grinned like a maniac. Howie burned, kicking his leg against the back of Brian's knee, causing him to launch forward. Brian yelped as the lunch tray kicked up and sloshed over his favorite shirt. Howie grinned sweetly, "Thanks for lunch, Asshole."
"You son of a---"
"Brian! Howie! What happened?" Teagan asked as she came back to the table.
"Poor Brian tripped and my lunch fell onto his shirt," Howie replied innocently, grabbing his backpack. He leaned over and kissed Teagan's cheek. "Thanks for the advice, Major T. I'll see you next hour."
"You're welcome..." Teagan trailed, watching Howie practically skip out of the cafeteria. She shook her head with bewilderment as she hurriedly grabbed a fistful of napkins. She blotted at the mess, but it seemed impossible. "How the Hell did you trip?"
"Must have been some milk on the floor," Brian muttered with a sour distaste, noticing Oriana's amused expression from over Teagan's shoulder. He burned with embarrassment at the flood of chuckles. Oriana would pay for Howie's foolish mistake at practice.
"Well, there's nothing we can do about it here at school. Mom knows how to get all those stains out, she can wash it for you," Teagan replied, cleaning his shirt the best she could. "You have anything else to wear in your gym locker?"
"My muscle tank underneath," Brian grumbled, easing the mess away from his body.
"Baby, it's not the end of the world. Just calm down, okay?" Teagan tried to soothe as she took Brian's shirt, rolled it up and placed it in an empty pocket of her backpack.
"Whatever, I have a class," Brian growled with distaste, yanking his backpack up from the floor. He flung it over his shoulder with a burning anger, pushing his tray of food away. He hated this school and he hated the people in it. He drew a ragged breath, leaning over Teagan to rest his head against her shoulder. "Will you wait for me after practice?"
"Of course. I'll be rooting for you," Teagan whispered, kissing his forehead. "I know you'll make the team."
"I'm gonna kick their asses."
"Yeah..." she bit her bottom lip. The last thing Brian needed while adjusting to Tartan was making the team and having all the boys hate him.
"What?"
"Nothing," she leaned down and kissed him. "Want me to walk with you to class?"
"Yeah, that'd be nice."
"Alright, let's go," they got up from the table and headed towards the exit. Remembering Oriana, Teagan turned around and their eyes connected. She smiled and raised her hand to wave good-bye.
