One year later...

"Hey Ally what did you get on the math test?" Trish asked me. I sighed and closed my locker.

"A 92." I mumbled, my best friend giving me a weird look after I said it. "What?"

"If anything I should be mad when I got a 68!"

"But-but, I've never had a grade lower than a 95 before on a math test! This is a deal breaker for me!" I exclaimed.

"You've got to be kidding me." Trish replied, and I playfully rolled my eyes at her.

"Hey guys what did you get on the math test?" Dez asked while coming up to us.

"68."

"Ouch."

"Eh I'll just do the corrections."

"What about you Ally?" Dez turned to face me. I sighed again.

"A 92." I winced after saying my grade again.

"Ha! I got a 94!"

"What?!" Trish, and I said said at the same time. Dez started doing this weird dance move snapping his fingers, and moving side to side while getting weird looks from other students walking around the hallways.

"Did you cheat?" Trish asked.

"Nope!"

"Did you do a re take?"

"We took it today!"

"Did you-"

"Guys I'll just tell you what my secret was." Dez whispered, telling us to come closer, and when we did he whispered, "I studied!" We moved back and rolled our eyes.

"I studied too, and I still got 68!"

"Well theres those two types of people when it comes to taking tests. Those who study, and those who don't. You should try it some time Trish." Trish gave him a look, and then looked at me to back her up but I nodded at Dez.

"He's not wrong."

"Whatever!" I laughed, and Dez continued dancing when the bell rang meaning it was 8th period now. We all walked to our different classes, and when I got there I took out my glasses and put them on, ready to learn about music.

"Okay class I'm going to be assigning you a project where you, and another student will have to write a song together about a topic I will be giving you after I assign your partners." Ms. Lopez stated, pulling out her clipboard. The whole class began to whine, and she rolled her eyes. She started assigning partners which I didn't pay attention to until I heard a specific name id been waiting for.

"Dallas and-" I glanced up, hoping Ms. Lopez would say me. Dallas, and I have been friends for a pretty long time if I'm honest. I met him in kindergarten during recess when I accidentally tripped, and scrapped my knee. He came up to me, and helped me up telling me I was tough for not crying. After that we pretty much became inseparable for the rest of those school years until high school finally came. Dallas became popular, joined the football team, and became loved by many people, and me? Well I stayed the same, happy with my two best friends I have by my side. Before that happened though, people always thought Dallas, and I would end up together, including my mom, and his mom but we always laughed it off. We never saw each other that way until freshman year came, and I started to miss him after we drifted apart, and would get jealous every time he'd be with other girls. Now we're seniors, and yes we still talk here, and there, and to think I'd be over him by now but nope. Those feelings are still there, and I don't know if they'll ever fade away.

"Okay let's see. Ally and-" I looked up realizing I had been thinking myself to death and didn't even hear who his partner was. "-Austin." My eyes went wide. "Okay class partner up, and I will be going around to tell you guys what you will be writing about." The whole class started walking around to get to their partners but I stayed frozen.

Austin Moon is my partner.

The, Austin Moon.

The last time I ever spoke to him was last year when I had thought he followed me, and it was completely awkward, and embarrassing. I ran a hand through my hair, and glanced at him, sitting in the back of the class, texting on his phone. Well, I'm not going to fail this project, even if we both don't talk. Once I found the courage to stand up, I felt someone tap my shoulder. I turned around, and was face to face with a warm set of eyes.

"Hey Ally." He smiled. I felt butterflies in my stomach, and couldn't help but smile back.

"Hey Dallas! What's up?" I cringed on the inside feeling like I sounded too happy to see him.

Okay Ally, you got this. Just chill out, and smooth like a ladies man. Or not, gah! Just don't embarrass yourself!

"I was hoping you, and I can be partners like the old days remember?"

"How can I forget? You, and I made a pretty great team when it came to projects." I agreed.

"Yup, and we would even get A's all the time too." He added. I can't believe he still remembers! "Well I'm gonna go Als," he started, and those butterflies came back once I heard him call me by my nickname he used to call me as kids. "Good luck on your project!" He said after walking away.

"Thanks, you too..buddy! I-I mean, pal-I-I mean-" I cut myself off once I realized he was gone. "Nice one Ally." I mumbled to myself, gathering my stuff again. Once I turned toward where Austin was sitting, I saw had caught him already staring at me, a smirk on his face. I immediately felt my face turn red, but I quickly shook my head, hoping he didn't see what happened. I sat down at the empty table where he was sitting, and set my stuff down when I heard him laugh lightly. I looked up at him, feeling the heat come back to my cheeks.

"What?"

"Nothing shorts."

That name took me by surprise because I haven't heard that name in so long. That doesn't really mean anything though. I pushed those thoughts away, and found the courage to keep this conversation going. "Tell me!" He rolled his eyes, and set his phone down.

"Nice flirting. I'm pretty sure he got the hint you're interested."

"You think so? I-I mean, whaat? I don't have a crush on him, what makes you think that? W-why do you even care?" I glanced at him again, feeling even more embarrassed than before.

"I really don't give a shit actually." He replied, getting back to his phone, his tone going completely dry. How is it possible for someone to be making jokes, and laughing to rude, and dry? I don't understand! I ran a hand through my hair again, and grabbed my notebook, and opening it to a fresh page.

"Okay, Austin and Ally," Ms. Lopez started once she came up to us. "I want you guys to write a song about friendship." I nodded, and Austin laughed, earning a glare from her. "Is there a problem Mr. Moon?"

"Yes."

"Care to explain what is it?"

"Sure," he sat up. "Friendship doesn't exist."

His reply didn't take my by surprise if I'm honest. Ever since Austin Moon transferred here, I never saw him not once make friends or talk to anyone here unless it was partner work. This part of me always wanted to get close to him, but he would either just get into trouble at school, or just push himself away from everyone around at school. I eventually gave up but now that motivation of wanting to get close to him is coming back again.

"Why do you believe that?" She asked again. Austin looked annoyed, and stared ahead.

"It just doesn't."

"Maybe you just need to find the right friends, and I believe you'll change your mind. The project is due in a month. I know you guys have more work to do since it's senior year, and I believe a month is enough time. Good luck guys!"

"Thank you Ms. Lopez." She smiled, and nodded then walked away.

"So, um where do you think we should start?"

"I'm not doing this stupid project. It's pointless."

"Austin, don't you want to pass this class? It's a big grade."

"I really don't care." I started to get annoyed with his "I don't care about anything" act.

"Yeah? Well you may not care, but I do. This is a project that consists of two, and just because you don't care about failing, doesn't mean I don't as well. I do, and I will not get a bad grade because of you! And-"

"If I get started on this project, will you shut the fuck up?" He glared at me, pissed. I felt my cheeks warm up again for the million time today but rolled my eyes, trying to show him I'm tough. Why is he acting like this? School is actually important, and even if it is senior year, it's still an important year.

"Fine. But I still need to talk to you in order to start the project.." I said quietly, my confidence altering. He sighed loudly, and ran his hands through his hair when the bell rang. He grabbed his phone, and got up, walking away, leaving me confused, mad, and a little sad. I sighed, and grabbed my stuff, and made my way to my locker, glad school was finally over.

I know Austin probably hates my guts right now because I confronted him, knowing that no one has ever done that at school but I don't care. Well, a part of me does because now I'm going to have to work harder to get close to him, but I'm not going to give up. I smiled, feeling my confidence coming back to me.

I will get Austin to open up to me. I know there's a good side in him that everyone thinks he doesn't have. But everyone does, some people just prefer not to show it though.