I took one step out of the bus, peering around nervously as the school stood before us in the distance. How was I going to explain this all to Miss Smith without getting detention? Only time would tell.

As I headed to the class, I followed behind Simon who was ahead of me and the others. He was walking in fast strides and I had to literally jog to keep up with him. Though when I did reach his side, he sped up again and I was just too tired to keep trying.

I finally strolled back a bit next to Theodore and Eleanor and whispered to them.

"Do you think he's still mad at me?"

"Er..." Theodore mumbled nervously, clenching his bag straps tighter at my question, "Of course not-"

"Theo, are you blind?" Eleanor chirped in and looked ahead at Simon whose steps were hard and angry, "I haven't seen Simon this angry in... like forever."

"Believe me," I told her, shaking off her comment. I knew Simon better than anyone else, "He's been angrier." I swallowed nervously as we reached our classroom and headed inside the doors, "This is only a level 2 in anger."

We all sat down at our desk, and Miss Smith perked up at this, peering down at me and commenting.

"Alvin, get out of Brittany's desk."

"Huh?" I peeped, before looking down and realizing I had unconsciously sat in the Chipette's spot and not my own.

"Oh, Miss Smith, don't worry," Brittany's voice suddenly said through me and the old teacher looked down at me annoyed, "I'm sitting where I always sit."

"Hmm..." the woman murmured to herself and replied, "That's a very good impersonation, Alvin... but, GET UP."

"Miss Smith?!" Brittany squeaked, shocked to have gotten on the teacher's bad side, "It's me!"

"NOW."

Brittany quickly shut up and I smiled nervously, making an innocent laugh before I stood up, straightening myself and heading to my usual desk.

As I sat down next to Simon, my brother sighed, rolling his eyes and staring away from me very on purpose.

I sat there as the class started to begin and before Miss Smith had started the first lesson, in came a tall good looking brunette guy.

"Eric, you're late." Miss Smith uttered to him and he smiled awkwardly, heading to his desk that was just behind Brittany's.

Eric! Brittany suddenly thought in my mind, and I felt my cheeks heating up in a red blush, I can't believe he's late... he's such a daredevil.

Are you okay, Brittany? I asked her, a bit startled by her remark. Wait! This was the same Eric I suddenly realized Brittany had mentioned in a delirious thought yesterday.

You... do you like him?

NO! She thought back, and before I could answer, Miss Smith slammed the edge of a ruler on my desk.

"Pay attention, Alvin." She looked closely at me, seeing the sweat on my forehead, "Are you running a fever or something? And what's with these gloves?"

"I literally can't take them off," I told her honestly. She lowered her eyebrows at me angrily and I smiled hopelessly, trying to remain calm and obedient.

"And why not?"

"They're fused into my arms."

"Hmm..." Miss Smith hummed to herself, not impressed by my responses, before giving up on the interrogation and getting back to the lesson.

I exhaled heavily relieved, and she began to write some equations on the blackboard. I sighed heavily, pulling out my math book copy.

As I wrote down the equations, all I could hear was Brittany's giddy girly thoughts, and all I could see was her fantasies about Eric!

Eric? Like, why the hell did she even like this guy? He wasn't famous, he couldn't sing and dance. He wasn't even THAT popular.

All I could focus on was watching her fantasies as if I was watching a bad romance movie. There she was, her hair flowing back in the mental images before my inner eye.

Eric was there too, holding her safely as they stood on a boat edge, the wind gliding through their locks and clothes.

"Oh Eric, you make me so happy," Brittany daydreamed herself saying. I was getting annoyed, trying to focus on the sums but when I saw the image of Brittany fantasising about kissing him, I suddenly slammed my pen to the desk and yelled.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!"

The room was completely silent just then, and Miss Smith glared over at me furiously.

"Alvin! Get outside now!"

"But- but!"

"Do NOT disturb the class."

"I-"

She pointed to the door with one strict movement of her hand and I blew out heavily, exasperated.

I got off my desk, feeling mightily embarrassed and could hear my fellow students whisper as I pass them and reached the door.

"I'll deal with you in a minute," Miss Smith told me and I pushed opened the door, leaving and standing alone in the hall.

Well done, Alvin, Brittany thought to me, clapping my hands in an fake applause, You really know how to make a scene.

Well, I began, very hurt inside, maybe I wouldn't have if you weren't daydreaming about Eric!

Brittany freaked when I said this.

You... you saw that?

YES, I thought back, I thought you loved-

I stopped my words and she remained silent as well, before whispering out loud.

"Loved... who?"

It doesn't matter! I said to her, furious. I was near to tears as I begged, Just get out of MY head!

Who do you think I love? She demanded, Who Alvin? WHO?!

I couldn't take it anymore. Tears began to surround my eyes and I yelled out to the world, to the school, to her!

"ME!" I said furiously and closed my eyes tightly as tears streamed down my cheeks.

"I THOUGHT YOU LOVED ME!"

I was panting heavily, my chest rising and falling with every deep breath I took. Brittany didn't say a word.

I leant against the wall, sliding pitifully to the floor. Finally, she said something... something that I didn't expect her to say at that moment.

Who says I don't?

My eyes opened confused at hearing this, you do?

She didn't respond and I asked her again.

YOU DO?!

Before any reply could be given the door slammed opened and out came Miss Smith.

"You, Alvin, are in trouble." She told me, her arms folded and her eyebrows dangerously low to her eyes. I smirked, wiping the tears from my eyes and replying.

"Tell me something new,"

Her frown deepened. I smirked. Because a part of me was dancing inside. My heart... it was aflame with joy.

Because she said she loved me.

And I was nearly brave enough to tell her... that I... I loved her too.

Even though I had said it a bit too many times the last two days. But today, I would mean it, it wouldn't be a slip of the tongue.

"Have you been listening to me, Alvin?" Miss Smith barked at me, her hands on her hips.

"Huh...?"

"Get back inside, and don't make a peep... or else-"

"Detention?" I said, and she pushed opened the door, muttering.

"Exactly."