“Whoa!” Danielle said walking into the living room and finding Ashley and Ephram making out on the couch.

They quickly broke apart.

“Sorry guys.” Danielle said.

“So?!” Ashley asked suddenly practically pouncing on her.

“Christ!” Danielle said jumping back. “You scared me to death.”

“She does that to me on a daily basis.” Ephram said.

“Shut up. You’re just mad because I made you watch the DVD.” Ashley replied.

“Did she promise you sexual favors or something?” Danielle asked.

Ephram rolled his eyes.

“You’re avoiding the issue Dani.” Ashley said.

Danielle took off her coat and opened the hall closet.

“What issue?”

“The date.” Ashley said slowly. “You know…where you just came from.”

“Oh, that. It was fun.” She said hanging up her jacket and closing the door. “I’m pretty tired. Good night.”

“Dani!” Ashley whined.

Monday…

“So are you scared?” Ephram asked turning off the car engine.

“Scared of what?” Danielle asked unbuckling her seatbelt.

“The wrath of Amy Abbott.” He replied.

“He’s right Dani. The girl has probably spread like a million rumors about you since Friday.” Ashley said as the three headed toward the building.

“All because Bright and I shifted the so-called social scale? That girl needs a life.” Danielle said with disgust in her voice.

“Don’t say we didn’t warn you.” Ephram said as he and Ashley walked hand-in-hand down the hallway.

“Dani! Quick! What’s the chemical symbol for iron again?” Colin asked as Danielle approached her locker.

“Fe.” She replied spinning the lock. “Now tell me why you’re really here.”

“Am I that transparent?” Colin asked in mock shock.

“No, I’m sure Steven Spielberg is calling your house as we speak.” She said sarcastically.

“Excellent.” He said rubbing his hands together. “Hopefully it’s a movie with Reese Witherspoon and hopefully we get to make out.”

“You scare me sometimes.” Danielle said putting her books into her backpack.

“I get that a lot. Anyway, back to my original point.” He said.

“Oh, there was a point?” she joked.

Colin rolled his eyes. “As I was saying. How was your date?”

Danielle turned to face Colin. “I didn’t realize you were such a gossip.”

“I’ve been hanging around Amy too long. It rubs off.” He said.

Danielle laughed. “Why didn’t you ask Bright?”

“I did, but I’m pretty sure he left out all the good parts. You need to give me the real deal.” Colin said.

“What did he tell you?” Danielle asked.

“He told Colin to mind his own business.” Bright said walking up to the pair.

Danielle laughed and Colin sighed.

“Something like that.” He said. “Catch you two later.”

“That guy is something else.” Bright said shaking his head.

“Touche. So how was your weekend?” she asked.

“Alright. You?” he asked.

“Kinda boring. Mostly did homework.” She replied.

“I see.” He said.

The pair was silent.

“So on a scale of one to ten how awkward is this?” she asked.

Bright laughed. “I’d give it about a seven.”

The bell rang signaling the start of another day at Peak County High.

“I’d better get going.” Danielle said.

“Me too. Want to catch up at lunch?” he asked.

She nodded. “Sounds good.”

“Okay, everyone pair up and answer the questions on page 105.” Danielle’s history teacher said.

Danielle looked around the room and realized the only person who didn’t have a partner was Amy. Slowly Danielle made her way over to the desk next to her. Without saying anything she opened up her textbook and began working.

“I hope you had fun on your little date.” Amy said.

“I did. Thanks for thinking of me.” Danielle said sweetly.

“I saw you talking to Colin this morning.” She continued.

“Wow! Do you want a gold star or something?” Danielle asked sarcastically.

“Why is everything a joke with you?” Amy asked.

“Why is everything a major drama with you?” Danielle asked back.

“You don’t know anything about me.” Amy said.

“And I am very thankful for that.” Danielle replied.

“Noooo!!!” Ashley exclaimed. “You can’t, I won’t let you! Make her stop Ephram.”

Ephram sighed. “I don’t understand what the big deal is.”

“It’s them! She’s going to sit with them!” Ashley said.

“Ashley. Calm down and breathe. I’m going to eat lunch with Bright. The world isn’t going to end.” Danielle explained.

Ashley put her hand over her heart. “Let’s hope not.”