“Thanks for staying to clean up.” Danielle said locking the door to the center. “I would have been here all night.”

“It’s no big deal. Actually I want to talk to you.” Bright said.

“You do?” she asked.

“Yeah, about the stuff I said the other day. I’m sorry. I was just pissed off about this stupid punishment and I took it out on you.” He said. “And I didn’t know the stuff about your parents. I’m sorry.”

Danielle didn’t say anything. She looked up into Bright’s eyes. He seemed sincere. And besides this pettiness between them was getting really old.

“It’s alright.” She replied.

“So let’s start over. What do you say?” he asked, visibly relieved.

Danielle smiled. “Sounds like a plan.”

“Okay then. I’ll see you at school tomorrow.” He said.

“Right. Bye.” She said.

As Bright headed toward his car he noticed Danielle was walking home.

“Hey Danielle!” he called out.

She turned around.

“Need a ride?”

“Sure.”

A few days later…

Danielle looked around the cafeteria for Ashley and Ephram.

“Over here!” Ashley called out waving her over to the corner of the room.

Danielle waved back and as she headed toward the table she passed Amy holding court in the center of the cafeteria.

“Hey Danielle.” Bright said.

“Hey.” She said back and continued on her way.

“What was that?” Amy asked.

“What was what?” Bright asked as he took a bite of his sandwich.

“You just said hi to Danielle Parker.” Kayla said.

“We hate her.” Paige added.

“Yeah Bright, didn’t you get the memo?” Colin asked sarcastically.

“Colin!” Amy whined.

***

“Why are we sitting in the nether-regions?” Danielle asked sitting down.

“We can’t sit too close to the other people. They scare me.” Ashley said.

“Me too.” Ephram added.

“You’ve grown up with all these people Ash. Don’t you like any of them?” Danielle asked.

Ashley shrugged and before she could reply Amy came stomping over to their table.

“I don’t know what you’ve done to my brother, but I suggest you cease contact with him.” Amy said.

“Cease contact? What does she have leprosy or something?” Ephram asked.

“No one was talking to you.” Amy said sharply.

“Umm…Amy I think Bright is capable enough to decide who he does and doesn’t talk to.” Danielle said.

“Are you sure about that Dani? He does talk to her.” Ashley said eyeing Amy.

“I don’t think he has a choice Ash. She probably threatens to whine to him if he doesn’t talk to her.” Ephram said.

“There is no dealing with you people.” She said throwing her hands up and walking away.

“Such a bright ray of sunshine she is.” Ephram said.