“Hi.” Danielle said sliding into the seat next to Bright.

“Hey. How’s your day been?” he asked.

Danielle thought back to her verbal sparring match with Amy.

“Not terribly interesting.”

Before Bright could respond Colin and Amy sat down across from the two.

“Hey guys.” Colin said.

“Bright, Danielle.” Amy said.

At first no one said anything…this was slightly awkward for all of them.

“So Colin, how was the chemistry test?” Danielle asked breaking the silence.

Colin shrugged. “It was okay. I wasn’t worried.”

Danielle rolled her eyes. “Sure.”

“It was nice of you to help him.” Amy said.

Danielle almost dropped her sandwich.

Had she heard that correctly?

“It was no big deal.” She replied.

The rest of the period passed by rather pleasantly.

“Where’s your next class?” Bright asked Danielle as the bell rang.

“On the second floor.” She replied.

“Cool. I’ll walk with you.” He said.

“Alright.” She said adjusting her backpack.

Bright placed his hand in hers as they made their way down the hall. Danielle smiled to herself…she couldn’t believe this was happening to her. When she first moved to Everwood she cried herself to sleep every night. She felt like she’d never belong, but now for the first time in awhile she was happy.

“This is it.” She said pausing in front of the classroom.

“Okay. I’ll see you at the center then.” He said kissing her cheek.

Two weeks later…

“Dani.” Beccy whined. “I need you.”

“What’s up?” Danielle asked.

“Jimmy keeps teasing me and pulling my hair. Tell him to knock it off.” She pleaded.

“Maybe he’s only teasing you because he likes you.” Danielle suggested.

“That doesn’t make any sense.” Beccy said.

“I know. But Bright used to tease me and it was because he liked me.” Danielle told her.

“Boys are stupid.” Beccy said in response.

“All boys?” Bright asked walking up to the pair.

“Did you used to tease Dani?” Beccy asked.

“I guess.” Bright replied.

“And now she’s your girlfriend?”

“Yes.”

“Yeah, all boys are stupid.” Beccy said before scampering off.

“I guess that was one of those you had to be their situations.” Bright said.

“Basically. So…” she replied shifting topics. “You’re coming over tomorrow afternoon?”

“Wouldn’t miss it.” He said sarcastically.

“Jeehz. I didn’t realize spending time with me was such a chore.” Danielle said.

“I didn’t mean it like that. But I’d rather stab my eyes out with a blunt pencil than study US history.”

“I’ll make it worth your while.” She said kissing his cheek and then heading over to the arts and crafts table.

Danielle sighed as she threw another shovelful of snow over her shoulder.

“This sucks.” Ephram declared.

“Agreed.” Danielle echoed.

“You two are such babies.” Ashley said.

It was Saturday afternoon and the three had been shoveling snow for what felt like an eternity.

“I’m not used to this.” Danielle said. “I’m an LA girl.”

Ashley looked at Ephram.

“Then let’s introduce her to snow properly.”

Before Danielle could ask what that meant she was bombarded with snowballs.

“Ah!” she screamed ducking to avoid the icy snow. “No fair.”

Ashley and Ephram started laughing as Danielle continued shrieking. The pair high-fived each other and resumed their shoveling.

“You’ll pay. I hope you realize this.” Danielle said.

“Empty threat.” Ashley said.

“We’ll see.” She replied shaking the snow out of her hair.

“Look who’s here.” Ephram said glancing over Danielle’s shoulder.

“I’m not turning around so you can attack me again.” Danielle said.

“He’s serious Dani.” Ashley told her.

“You think I’m really that thick…AHHHH!!!” she screamed getting hit with a snowball from behind.

Danielle quickly turned around and saw Bright laughing at her.

“Jeehz! You’re supposed to protect me from this type of abuse.”

“Sorry. It was a little too easy.” He told her walking up to the three. “Hey guys.”

Ashley and Ephram exchanged hellos and continued shoveling.

“Ready to study?” she asked.

“I still don’t understand how you talked me into this.” Bright said following Danielle inside.

“Who needs to pass all of their classes in order to play basketball?” Danielle asked climbing the stairs.

“Me.” Bright replied.

“And who got a D on their last test?” she asked.

“Me.” He said.

“So basically you just answered your own question.” She said.

“Guess so.” He replied.

Danielle turned the page in her history book.

“That’s very distracting you know.” She said.

“What is?” Bright asked.

“You staring at the back of my head.”

“How do you know I’m staring at the back of your head?”

“I can feel it.” She said turning around to face him.

“Sorry. I’ll stop.” He said leaning over to kiss her.

“But that’s not distracting at all.” Danielle joked after they broke apart.

“I don’t think so.” He said.

“You’re lucky I like you.” She said.

“I definitely am the lucky one.” He told her.

Danielle smiled. “You’re so sweet.”

Bright blushed.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to embarrass you.” She said.

“No, it’s just…I’ve never really felt this way about anyone.” He said not looking directly at her.

Now it was Danielle’s turn to blush.

“Me neither.”

Bright looked up and smiled at her, Danielle’s heart melted.

“Then I guess we’re both the lucky ones.” He said.