“So how did it go?” Ashley asked as Danielle joined her and Ephram in the cafeteria.

“I’m still alive aren’t I?” Danielle joked.

“Should I be confused or scared?” Ephram asked.

“Bright Abbott is involved so I suggest both.” Ashley told him.

Danielle laughed and told the two what had happened.

“Like you said, you did what you had to do and now it’s done.” Ashley said.

“That was a mouthful.” Ephram said.

“Touche.” Danielle replied. “Well guys it’s time to work up some courage.”

“What?” Ephram asked.

“I’m going to get in line and eat some cafeteria food.” Danielle said standing up.

“Are you on medication?” he asked.

She rolled her eyes and Ashley wacked him on the back of the head. Danielle made her way over to the lunch line and grabbed a tray. As she was trying to decide if pizza was more or less gross than tacos she felt a tap on her shoulder.

“Ephram, seriously…oh hi Amy.” Danielle said.

“Why were you talking to my brother this morning?” she asked.

“Why do you care?”

“He won’t date you, you know.”

“Imagine my disappointment. Now if you’ll excuse me.” Danielle said paying for her food and heading back towards Ashley and Ephram.

“Hey Dani, can I talk to you for a second?” Colin asked stopping her in between classes.

“Sure, what’s up?” she asked.

“Remember when we worked on that project for Spanish class together?”

“Of course, and I swore after Spanish II I’d never take another Spanish class again.” Danielle said thinking back to one of her first memories of Peak County High.

“Right.” He said with a laugh. “But actually I was thinking of something else you said.”

“Which was?”

“If I ever have trouble with my chemistry homework you’d help me out since I basically carried the entire Spanish project.”

“I wouldn’t say you carried it.”

“I totally saved your ass and you know it.”

Danielle raised her hands in defeat. “You’re right. So are you taking me up on the offer?”

“Yeah, we have a test in a few weeks and I’d appreciate your help.” He said.

“No problem.” She said.

“I owe you Dani.” He said.

“I thought I owed you.” She said with a smirk.

Colin rolled his eyes. “See you around.”

“Dani!” Jack called. “I need to talk to you.”

“Coming!” Danielle called back as tried to unstick her hands from a piece of papier-mâché. “What’s up?”

“This is Bright.” Jack said.

“We’ve met before.” Danielle replied.

Bright remained silent.

“Anyway, can you set him up?” he asked.

Danielle nodded.

“Great, I’ll be in my office if you need me.” Jack said.

Danielle turned to face Bright. “Why don’t I show you where you sign in and then we can figure out where you’re best suited to work.”

“Whatever.” He replied following her over to the backroom.

“So what are you interested in? Sports, tutoring, arts and crafts?” she asked.

“I’ve always been pretty good at making pipe cleaner puppets.” Bright said sarcastically.

“Why am I even bothering?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he asked.

“You’re only here because you have to be, I guess it’s too much to ask that you actually try.” She said.

“Excuse me if everyone can be a saint like you.” Bright said.

“Whatever. You sign in here.” She said indicating the dry erase board. “And as for what you do with your time, it really doesn’t matter to me.”

“Now that doesn’t sound very caring.” Bright said sarcastically.

“How long have I been talking to you? Two minutes? And you’re already on my last nerve.” She asked.

“The feeling’s mutual.” He said repeating what she had said this morning.

“At least I know you listen when I talk.” Danielle said.

“I know a lot about you, probably more than you think.” He said.

“Sure you do. All of the glowing things your sister has told you? Because I seriously doubt you know anything about me.” She said.

“You moved here to live with your aunt and uncle for some unknown reason. You must have really done something terrible for your parents to give you the boot.” He said.

“My family situation is none of your business so I suggest you don’t talk about things you know nothing about.” Danielle said. “But if you’re keen on family talk let’s discuss your sister cause that girl has some serious issues.”

Bright didn’t respond.

“There’s a saying Bright, if you can’t take the heat stay out of the kitchen.” She said as she turned and walked out of the room.