I stood outside the Sub Shop waiting for Alex to come downstairs. We always rode the bus, or otherwise commuted school together, no matter what. It was a simple thing, but it meant a lot to me because it showed that Alex really cared. That was hard to tell sometimes. But I loved her as a friend, no a sister, anyway.

I took a deep breath and let it out, enjoying the sunshine and what was left of the summer weather. School had started a week ago, and it seemed like nothing had changed, except the seniors from last year had left.

"Hey." A voice from beside said. I turned a saw Daren.

"Hi!" I replied. Daren was new at school and mostly with the Junior Class like Alex and myself. However he was odd, and took a few senior level classes.

"What's up?"

"Nothing, just waiting for Alex so we can go to school."

"That's cool." Daren shifted his weight "Taking the bus?"

"Yup! You can come if you want. Not that you have to ask, because it's a public bus, but you know."

Daren laughed softly and smiled. "Yah I'll come."

I didn't reply, I just stared at him, I must have looked stupid, but I couldn't help it. His smile captivated me, I couldn't look at anything besides him. He caught my gaze and took a step closer, I was about to do the same thing when Alex burst out the sub shop doors.

"Harper! Let's go we're late!" She grabbed my arm and pulled me away, breaking the strange trance.

We got to the bus stop just in time to see the bus drive off without us. Alex kicked the Newspaper stand out of frustration.

"Now what are we going to do?" I asked, glancing over my shoulder for Daren but he was nowhere to be found.

"I have a plan, don't worry." Alex replied, again grabbing my arm, we started walking towards an ally.

"Alex I don't like your plans! Bad things usually happen."

"Oh Harper, you really worry," she stopped once we were in the ally and out of view of the street, and pulled out her wand. "to much."

"Alex no, no magic. We'll just take the next bus."

"This is faster." She raised her wand "I missed the bus and need to get there in a hurry, so take us to the school laundry." There was a pop and suddenly we were in the laundry room in the basement of the school. It was dark and empty and I knew exactly why we transported here. It was the same reason we had to go into the ally, so no one would see.

Alex whispered something and her wand tip began to glow, illuminating the room. There were two doors. One was bolted close and led to the outside, it was only a fire exit, but it looked as if It could never be opened. Another one was in front of us and led out to a hallway inside the school. We went through this one and made our way to our lockers. Alex hid her wand back in her boot again.

We were early because the teleporting was faster than the bus, and there was hardly anyone here.

"hey again." Daren said, again from behind me.

I turned around, and Alex closed her locker, watching.

"Hi. You got here fast."

"Yah." Replied, smiling again. "my dad gave me a ride."

I froze, staring again. What was wrong with me? Thankfully Alex jumped in.

"That's very nice, and such and if you excuse us we were having a conversation here." She snapped, stepping forward.

"My bad, see you ladies later." He strolled off and Alex turned to me.

"Harper what is wrong with you?"

"Huh?" I couldn't think for a moment then my mind became clear again. "Nothing, I'm fine, why?"

"uh you have a boy friend! Stop trying to flirt with Daren!" she said, almost breaking the whispering volume she was using.

"Right, I don't know what came over me. I'm sorry."

"I'm not the one you should apologize too, but I'll accept it anyway." She laughed and the bell rang. The school doors open and students poured in as buses arrived. The rest of the day became a blur, and on the ride home, on the bus this time, I couldn't get my mind off of Daren. This didn't worry me so much as it confused me.