Mr. Hughes stood at the front of his third period with a grimace on his face. He stared at his class as he paced back and forth in front of his desk. He stopped abruptly, took his glasses off and wiped his forehead.

"Ok class. I am very disappointed in you all. Yesterday's food fight was horrendous. Since I don't know who started it, but I know who fueled the fire I am going to punish you in my own way. It may sound dumb to some, but knowing you all, it's well suited." He replaced his glasses and continued looking at his class. "I am assigning a project to be done in teams of two. Not three not four, two…"

As Mr. Hughes went on about the aspects of the project, Gordo leaned over to Lizzie and whispered, "Hey, wanna be my partner on this?"

Lizzie smiled her bright smile, "Sure."

"UH-HEM!" Mr. Hughes coughed mockingly. Lizzie and Gordo became stiff and snapped back to attention. "Well I know two people who will not be working together on this project." Scattered giggles could be heard. The loudest, of course, by Kate.

Lizzie and Gordo both blushed. They knew about the rumors that had been going around them, and something like this, despite the fact it was so petty, would fuel it more.

"This leads me to your "punishment". I will be assigning your partners. I was originally going to let you choose yourselves, but you've proven that none of you are adult enough." The class moaned. "And after studying your behavior with each other over the past year, I am not going to make this fun. The project is to be done in one month. When you hear your names, please move your desks together so that I can give the proper hand-outs to each group.

"Kate and Miranda…" They give each other a poisonous look when they hear this. Kate rolls her eyes and Miranda does the same.

"LIzzie and Claire…" Lizzie slaps her forehead in disgust.

"Gordo and Zack…" Gordo's eyes widened. Zack wasn't a new kid in school, but instead someone that had been held back in the seventh grade a couple of times. He was a gruff looking 13 year old who dressed in a gray hoodie and baggie pants. He had a buzz cut shorter than a centimeter. He was known for being somewhat of a bully, though he had never bothered Gordo or any of his friends, his reputation stood for itself.

Actually, no one in the class had ever really spoken to Zack. They didn't know anything really about him, besides what word-of-mouth had to say.

Mr, Hughes finished his name calling and the reassigning began. Gordo became tense when Zack pulled his chair up to his. Zack slouched in his chair, his legs outstretched nearly six inches from where the end of the desk stopped. He didn't look at Gordo, and Gordo dared to not make eye contact.

Mr. Hughes continued, "Now one person from the group come up to my desk and get your work packets. Then start using this time to study. This is going to be the only in class time you have because after this you are on your own. You will meet each other after school or during study halls to get this finished. And if it's not finished by the due date that means you automatically get a zero."

Gordo was hesitant to move, apparently too much so because Zack got up and sauntered to the desk and picked up the sickly green colored packet. He returned and with a thud sat in his chair.

There was an awkward silence, at least for Gordo. Zack didn't seem to care. Gordo decided to make the first move. "So…Zack…" No reaction. "Where should we meet outside class?"

Zack looked over at his new partner. He was twice the size of Gordo. "My house tonight. I'll give you the address. Be there at eight."

"Um…that sounds good, But I have to be home at nine." Gordo replied nervously.

Zack raised an eyebrow.

"I'll be there." Gordo said. "Definitely."