It wasn't hard to come to terms with everyone obsessing with Sang, but when it finally dawned to Jade how obsessed Principal Hendricks was with Sang, she didn't know if she should laugh or scowl.

Hendricks called Sang to his office at least three times a week, yet she was never in detention or suspended. Not that it matter, Jade couldn't imagine golden girl doing anything that would land her in detention.

It did make Jade curious though. Why was Hendricks interesting in Sang? And what exactly were they doing? She couldn't be the only one suspicious, could she?

Golden girl was cutting again. Perhaps that's why she was called so much to Hendrick's office. Really? Jade was sure that she cut at least 100% more than Sang, yet she never ever had the pleasure of having a one-on-one with the Principal. She just got detention.

"This is getting awkward." Jade exasperated as she looked over to golden girl, who had an obvious stressed look on her face.

Sang looked over, but not directly, only slightly as if she was too scared to even look at Jade too much.

"If you are going to cut school, at least spend it somewhere else." Jade fingered the burnt end of her lit cigarette. "That's the whole point of cutting." She whispered the last part at Sang as if it was a secret before rolling her eyes and going for another drag of smoke.

"I am not cutting," Sang replied.

Jade looked over to her. As if she cared.

"Well, I am and you are kinda disturbing my supposed bathroom break."

After a few minutes of silence, out of the blue Sang asked, " You work in Hendrick's office." It was more of a statement than a question.

"Not voluntary." Jade drawled.

"Did he put you up to this?" Golden girl continued.

Jade paused and lowered her cigarette before turning towards Sang, who now fully faced her.

"Oh, yes. He is so obsessed with you he told me to cut class just to keep tabs on you." Jade hope that the sarcasm was obvious in her voice, and apparently, it was because Sang sighed shortly after and started to walk toward the side door.

When Sang disappeared inside, Jade dropped her cigarette and crushed it under her worn out converse.

She really needed to stop smoking.

Jade was starting to become more and more annoyed. She could hear the conversation from inside the office and every line either made her roll her eyes, want to throw up, or slam the paper she was holding onto the table.

"You're volunteering to do manual labor?" Principal Hendrick asked mundanely.

"Yes, I am interested in community service hours. I'll look good on my college application. Plus, as I am interested in law, I think that performing seemingly menial tasks such as organizing cabinets could really make me appreciate the importance of such activities."

That made Jade want to throw up as she scrunched up her face and mimicked his lines. Kiss-ass.

"Why don't you actually go and volunteer at a law office?" Hendricks asked in his original voice, that shouted 'why are you wasting my time'. This was perhaps the first time she actually had any trace of fondness for Principal Hendricks.

"Well, as a student here, it would be very convenient and it's a wonderful opportunity for me to serve my school."

Jade slammed down a student emergency contact form into a new folder and rolled her eyes.

There were no words exchanged in the office for a few seconds.

"I am sure that the other student volunteer could use some help."

Oh, how kind. Jade thought.

Jade could hear Hendrick's aspiration.

Same, dude, same.

"Well, if you insist. You can start on Monday. Make sure you talk to Jane on your way out."

And there went his 15 minutes of fondness.

She could hear shuffling from inside the office and soon he exited Principal Hendrick's office, closing the door after him.

"It's Jade." She called out without turning around to face him.

"Oh, I know." She heard him replied.

Before she could reply or even turn around she heard the opening and then closing of the main door.

"Oh, I know." Jade mimicked his voice while rolling her eyes and shoving a folder into the file cabinet.

Jade got her Japanese quiz back and under the 94.5% was a small note of "Please see me after class".

She considered ignoring the note and leaving as soon as the bell rang, but instead, she sat in her seat while the others rushed out of the classroom when the clock hit twelve. Sang and one of her minions, whose Jade name couldn't recall totally, was among the last to leave and Jade could feel the stare of the guy on her but as she looked at him he started to look at Sang, and then Mr. Green, who tilted his head at the door.

There was a weird look on the guy's face. So, it wasn't just North, Jade thought. All of them seems to hold the amazing ability to communicate through their god-awful facial expression. The guy grabbed Sang's hand and lead her towards the door.

Jade had a thought about manhandling, but soon forgot when Mr. Green called out "Miss Williams", and she looked up front to see an expectant look on his face.

"Yes?" Jade asked, with no intention of moving.

He beckoned with his hand, for here to come forward and Jade couldn't help rolling her eyes before sliding from her seat and walking towards him.

"I didn't cheat." Jade declared as she walked towards him, arms crossed over her chest.

"I wasn't implying that you did." He responded.

He was staring at her face; in her eyes and the intensity of his stare made her uncomfortable and shift her weight from her right leg to her left and then back again.

She looked at him expectantly, hoping that he would get on to what he needed to say.

"You got one of the highest grades in the class." He mentioned.

Jade looked around and then shrugged. "Good." It was only a quiz, it wasn't as if she aced the final or anything.

"I was just curious about your sudden improvement."

"I didn't cheat," Jade repeated herself.

He looked at her and he didn't have to repeat his earlier statement. He didn't think she cheated.

Jade sighed. Not that she owed him an explanation. "I don't like doing things half-assedly. If I am going to stop being bad, then why not try being good at something other than fucking up my life. " She murmured the last part and was expecting him to scold her for cursing but instead he raised his eyebrow and a small smile appeared on his face, before replying "Fair enough."

She took that as her cue to leave and his stare followed her until she exited the classroom door.

It was the weekend. Jay invited her to a party at his house on Saturday.

Jade declined.

Jay texted her on Sunday, saying his parents were out of town, that he was alone, and asked if she wanted to come over to keep his company.

She went.