The next three periods went by quickly. Marian asked Harold if he could give her a ride. He said he'd wait in the field house for her. She still didn't mention Gracie.

Lunch finally came. As Marian opened her locker, she was glad Ethel and Maud were walking with her. She wouldn't be alone until she got the eleventh grade hallway.

"Girl, you have a lot to tell us," Ethel persisted.

"When we get to lunch," Marian insisted. As the passed the eleventh grade hallway, Marian was pulled into it. Ethel and Maud knew who it was, so they kept walking.

"Hi Harold," Marian smiled at the sight of his excitement-filled eyes.

"Hi Marian," Harold said. "I never asked you how math was."

"Harold…" Marian began. She paused for dramatic effect.

"Always dramatic," Harold interrupted. Marian slapped him lightly.

"Harold…" she began again. "You really need to help me one of these days."

"How about tonight? I'd have just enough time to go home, pack an overnight bag, and come back here to pick you up," Harold said in a seductive, velvety voice. Marian hadn't seen him like this yet and was slightly confused.

"Harold, I don't know. If it's okay with Mama, I'd love it if you'd stay over. She's been dying to meet you," Marian said as they approached the cafeteria.

"Then it's settled," Marian said. Harold started to veer off towards his table. "No, no, no. We're sitting at my table," Marian said. She steered him in the opposite direction.

"But-" Harold tried to protest, but Marian put her finger to his lips.

"Please Harold?" Marian said in a pleading tone. She was giving him the puppy dog look.

"Fine," Harold said. He smiled when she turned away. She was learning. He followed her across the lunch room. Marian gulped when Gracie shot her a dagger glare. She smiled when she saw Ewart, a tenth grader, sitting next to Maud. The two were almost holding hands. She and Harold sat down across from Marcellus and Ethel, next to Maud and Ewart.

"Marian spill, now," Ethel demanded after ending her conversation with Marcellus.

"I'll be right back," Harold told her as he stood up.

"Okay," Marian agreed before turning back to Ethel. "What do you mean?" she asked.

"Second period, Marian," Ethel prompted.

"Oh, well Harold kissed me, and he called me… 'sweetie,'" Marian said.

Ethel screamed quietly and Maud, who had been listening, joined in.

"And-" Marian cut herself off when she spotted Harold a few feet away on his way back to the table, two lunch trays in hand. "I'll tell you guys tomorrow, or later," Marian added in a whisper. She looked up at Harold, who was now sitting down. "Thank you," she told him when she saw her lunch in front of her.

"You're welcome," Harold answered. Marian was the first one done eating and she was tired. She subconsciously laid her head on Harold's shoulder, causing him to smile and Ethel and Maud to hide their smiles and giggles. She quietly gave a sigh of contentment before she burst out laughing. All her friends looked at her weirdly before Harold started laughing too. Her laughter was contagious because soon the others were laughing as well.

"Why are we laughing?" Ewart asked between breaths.

"I don't know. I mean look at us. Three eighth graders with two eleventh graders and a tenth grader. It is a little funny," Marian said.

As their laughter calmed to small, quiet giggles, Harold grabbed Marian's hand. He whispered something to Marcellus and Ewart before leaving the cafeteria with her. Marian heard Marcellus and Ethel and Ewart and Maud follow close behind. Marian smiled when she realized he was going to the student lounge. Plus, there were twenty minutes of lunch left.

Just as Marian had expected, Ethel and Maud, and even Ewart, gaped at the room. She watched as her friends went over to separate couches before she followed Harold to another loveseat.

Harold gently pulled her over to him so that her back was to his chest when they sat down.

"I love your laugh," Harold whispered in her ear. His breath tickled her ear and smelled like mint. Marian couldn't help but giggle out of nervousness at his closeness. Apparently, Harold could sense her discomfort. "Calm down, baby. You know I would never hurt you," he whispered in a smooth, luring voice. Marian didn't know why, but she instantly felt at ease and leaned back on him. She felt her eyes close. Harold smiled softly when Marian fell asleep on him. He wanted to talk to her about tonight, but he knew it was important for her to get sleep. If he wasn't mistaken, she had a math test and Districts for track tomorrow.

Fifteen minutes later, Harold had a mischievous way to wake up Marian. He knew it was a risk, but she couldn't stay mad at him.

"Marian," he whispered as he leaned down as close as he could. She stirred a little at the sound of his voice. He hoped she wouldn't get too mad. He kissed her passionately. Marian's eyes shot open when she felt Harold's lips against hers. Not knowing what was going on, she resisted at first before she saw the dirty blond boy who was kissing her sweetly. She immediately kissed back and ran her hand through his hair.

The other two couples, who had been involved in their own situations, watched the two. Maud and Ethel had huge smiles on their faces. Marian really trusted Harold. They couldn't believe it. If anyone else had kissed her to wake her up, they'd be in the next state by now. Ewart, who was a pretty good friend of the two older boys, was happy for Harold and Marian. Marcellus had his arm around Ethel and was watching his best friend with enthusiasm.

Harold reluctantly broke their kiss. Stupid human need to breath he thought.

"Nice way to get woken up," Marian said in a slightly tired voice.

"I know, right?" Harold teased as he stood up, followed by her.

Harold walked Marian to her locker before saying good-bye ad going to his own. The last four periods of the day went by too quickly for Marian. She was not looking forward to the meeting with Gracie and her friends. At her locker, Marian was one of the last ones to leave, but made sure she left before Harold came. She walked slowly to the alcove in the main hallway. There were three water fountains, three chairs, and a table in it. She saw no one and nervously walked into it. Suddenly, her bag was torn off her shoulder and thrown to the floor with a thud. Her book flew all over the room. Gracie pushed her against a wall and Alma and Katie held her there. Marian was scared. She didn't want to get hurt.

Harold, who had just arrived at Marian's locker and found no sign of her, heard a thud down the hall. He quickly but quietly made his way down the hall and peeked around the corner. What was going on? He had no idea. He heard Gracie say "Marian, when will you learn not to date boys I like?" When Gracie raised her arm, ready to punch Marian, he loudly cleared his throat before stepping unto view. Gracie spun around.

"Oh, hi Harold," she said sweetly. She was motioning wildly behind her back to Alma and Katie to drop Marian. They did after lifting her up and dropping to the ground hard.

"Hi girls. What's going on here?" Harold asked as if he didn't know.

"Oh. nothing," Gracie said. "Just talking to Marian."

"Oh, well I need to drive her to the field house. See you around,: Harold said with his signature wink. Darn my niceness he thought as Gracie giggled and looked at him like a lovesick something. When Marian thought Harold wasn't looking, she stomped on Marian's books. "Good-bye, Gracie," Harold sighed. Gracie huffed before following Alma and Katie down the hall.