The hallways had been crowded to the brim, making me a few minutes late. Walking into first period was a nightmare already, and the crushing pressure of refraining to draw attention to myself didn't help.

Everyone was in their seats already, and when the door slammed behind me I could feel eyes studying my every move.

"Your seat will be next to your name tag," my teacher sniffed, from the front of the room. She seemed to be arranging her desk and waiting for the class to settle down.

I strided through the endless rows of seats, embarrassing myself because I couldn't find a simple name tag. I knew I was being watched. It fueled the burning feeling of awkwardness.

Finally, before I could go another minute of torture, he called out, "Is your name Beatrice?"

I looked up and spotted him, before nodding like a shameless cow. I looked like an idiot and I knew it. So much for a good first impression.

He signaled to the empty seat next to him and I noticed he was telling me it was my seat.

Blushing profusely, I sat down and dropped my bag on the floor. The teacher had already started speaking, but I wasn't paying attention.

I was looking at him.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

His name was Tobias.

After a few months of school, I could never bring myself to the conclusion that I liked him. Sure, he was smart, hot, and awfully good natured, but I always promised myself that I wouldn't fall for a boy.

Everyone at school was talking about a party. I wasn't popular at all, so I knew I never had the chance of making it to one. But I knew that if I was ever invited I would go for sure.

And of course, I was invited. Jeanine Matthews, the most popular girl in school, was hosting it. We had a partner project together last week, and told me she expected to see me there. She said I was cool.

She called me, of all people, cool? Something wasn't right.

In class, Tobias asked me if I was going. I admitted that I was, and he smiled, saying he was too. I could've fell out of my chair right there, while the teacher was explaining polynomials. I could've floated to the ceiling and right up to heaven because of that million dollar cheesy smile, but I didn't.

I smiled back.