Danté stumbled into the classroom, having sprinted from the parking lot in a last ditch effort of being on time. The bell rang just after he took his seat. Mr. Demitropilis glared at him at Danté put his head down. The girl front of him turned around, her brown eyes wide.

"Where's Faythe?" she asked.

He frowned at her, "Do you really think I know the answer to that? I just got here!"

"Well, I figured she would at least tell her BF if she weren't going to school." She rationalized, shrugging.

"She's not my girlfriend-"

"Yet." She interrupted.

Danté sighed, "Listen Ava, I'm telling you that there's no way she's into me like that. And, no, she didn't call me."

"God, you're so frustrating." She grumbled.

"Yeah, well I don't know how my brother puts up with you." Danté snapped back, opening his History book, acting like he was paying attention. Ava turned back around, getting out a piece of paper and writing him a note. She passed the paper back to him.

'Your brother loves me, thank you very much; and I love him. What's the big deal with having some hope? You like her, and I'm sure she likes you: don't miss your chance, Danté!'

He read the paper, staring at the back of her head in annoyance. He pulled a pen from his pocket, writing his response:

'For that matter, I don't understand how anyone puts up with you.'

Danté passed the note back to her, noting as she let out an exasperated sigh and resumed writing her response. He had to snigger just a little as she handed it back, some animosity in her eyes.

'I don't understand just why you have to be so sarcastic, Danté. I'm telling you she would say yes if you only asked her.'

The door opened then, and Faythe walked in, looking just as gorgeous as she ever did. Danté looked up, complete awe in his hazel eyes as she handed Demitropilis the note from the office and took her seat next to Ava. Ava shot him a look from the corner of her eye, raising an eyebrow and smiling broadly to Faythe.

"Good morning, Bug. Where were you?" Ava asked, matching the look of annoyance in Demitropilis' eyes as he looked at her, standing in front of the whiteboard.

"Sorry, I woke up late, and I missed the bus."

"Oh, I asked Danté where you were, but he said he had no idea. Quite frankly, he was late as well…" she said, slyly pushing the folded note into her binder.

Faythe didn't notice, "Hah, good morning, Danté." She smiled.

Danté's breathing practically stopped at the attention, "Good morning, Faythe…" he sort of trailed off, going back to looking at Demitropilis. Though he was looking at him, he was far from paying attention. His mind lingered on Ava's words, and when, how, or if he would ever ask Faythe out. After a while, he dismissed the subject, deciding it would never happen, and to let it go. Maybe she was just a High School crush, puppy love…