The final week to enter into the "Everyday Heroes" contest was upon everyone, including myself. Jefferson had apparently received two other photographs similar to mine, and because he'd already chosen his favorite out of the three of us, he was making me and the other poor bastard retake it. Of course, I wasn't too thrilled, to say the least. Plus, being Nathan's little go-for wasn't going to let me retake a photo. I thought about asking him that night to figure out if he needed a photo as well.

He didn't look dressed to go out. Instead, he wore some old track pants with a gray shirt that had holes around the neckline. This doesn't surprise me as much as it did the first time. That night when he showed up in the hallway of the girls' dorms in such a crude attire.

"There's no homework," he threw himself on the bed, grabbed a remote and returned to whatever he was watching. "Revenge of the Creature from the Black Lagoon". I took a seat next to the door, laying my bag of homework on the floor. Most of it was completed, but I still had to go over some things. Those corrections Nathan made on his homework I had worked on still haunted me.

Before the movie was completely over, Nathan was already asleep. I took a look around his room. Each time I was here, I was always busy looking down or trying to leave before the dorm parent made her rounds. Looking at his walls now, I realized his odd taste in art. It's almost macabre but mesmerizing. Then on the wall next to his closet, there was a corkboard with photographs. Some of him and some friends, with Victoria in more than a few. Then others of people, I'm guessing his models. A disheveled woman sitting on a corner with a sign for help. A bloodied woman next to what looked like a car accident, crying into the arms of the man beside her.

"You sure like to snoop around," he spoke. I was a little surprised at first but calmed down soon enough.

"Nothing wrong with admiring some photographs." I held the corner of one photo. A young woman, in her early 20s possibly, with binoculars and a beautiful smile.

"Who's she?" as soon as I asked, I noticed the similarities. The same jawline and eyebrows. If her hair was up, I bet the ears would be the same too.

"Your sister?" I asked. He was looking at the wall as if with just his mind, another movie would come on. I sat on the bed next to him.

"Sensitive topic?"

"No," he finally moved his hand and eyes to the control next to him, "she left for college this year. She's not around much anymore." He started picking at the control buttons. I looked at the wall again.

"Maybe if I had looked up more often, I would've realized your passion for photography," he snorted, "what was the picture you entered for the contest?" He finally looked up at me, then squinted his eyes.

"Trying to get my secrets out of me?" he was back to his playful mood, "I heard what happened between you and those other two. You took the same photos and Jefferson got pissed." My eyes widened.

"How did you hear about that?"

"The only way to keep shit from spreading is paying to keep quiet." I scoffed but it didn't surprise me that this was his response.

"I don't even care about that contest, whatever wisdom you share with me is wasted." I got up and went for my homework, he put another movie on.

Another night went by.

It was early in the afternoon when Victoria came up to me, locking our arms together and pulling me along.

"You're not busy tonight right?" she said as more of a suggestion to not be busy.

"Why, what for?" I asked before giving her a clear answer.

"Since you don't wanna go to the party this weekend you should at least help me and the girls pick outfits."

"The girls?"

"My closest friends," she answered vaguely. Couldn't help but raise my eyebrow. She cracked a pout.

"Oh just come. The worst he'll do is call you a billion times, it's not like he can forbid it."

"That's not the issue here," I answered, surprised at her worries, "Just the way you invite me is hella shady." Her face was stone. I loosened my arm from hers and draped it around her shoulder.

"Oh don't give me that, I never said I wasn't going." We went to our dorms, where I grabbed my wallet and keys. Leaving a text to Nathan, we left to meet with her friends. Immediately after meeting them I could already tell their roles. While one copied the other trooped along like a sheep. Despite that, they weren't bad girls. More like people trying to survive high school by any means necessary. Courtney, the shorter one with brown hair already had a good sense of style, so I didn't really see why I needed to be there.

"If you had decided to come along we totally could've hung out you know," Victoria said, still trying to persuade me to go. I kept my mouth shut about my thoughts of why she wanted me to go.

"What's so fun about being in a party with underage drunks while the teachers turn their backs from it." I tried to make it light. They laughed along.

"Well not everyone is gonna be like that-"

"Yeah, the others are just gonna be high as shit." The girls just bounced off one another, it was enough to make me laugh. I pondered a little more on it.

"But I guess it's a good way for the kids to release some of their stress," I scrunched up my nose, "but why the teachers."

"Mandatory." The three of them responded in unison. Taylor walked out of the changing room in a white top, blue jeans and a black and white patterned long cardigan.

"You look like a librarian," I said before she could even ask for our feedback. As she stomped back in Courtney and Victoria snickered. In the end, everyone concurred on her taking a short floral dress with a jean jacket. Courtney went with a sleeveless, tied button-up shirt and a white mini skirt. Victoria went a little more classy with a white knitted sweater and a simple black skirt. To my surprise, Victoria gladly paid for the outfits and the girls didn't think of it as anything new. They dropped me off in my room where I pondered my thoughts. The girls were still hoping to get me to go to the party. As fun as it sounded, it was too much to go to a pg party. Now that I think about it, chances are, I'm probably gonna have to be the pretend girlfriend. I rolled over on my bed, almost suffocating in my pillow. I held my breath before letting it out in a deep sigh. Then I fell asleep.

It was dark out when I heard a knock at my door. I turned my head to the door and spoke in a groggy voice.

"It's open." Then I laid my head back onto the pillow. I was honestly relieved to hear light steps come in. It was Victoria. I crawled forward to sit up.

"No it's okay, sorry I woke you up," she said, shaking her hand. I continued to sit up.

"It's okay, I think I'm late to meet Nathan anyways." I grabbed my phone, to check the time and the three messages from him. Victoria pulled herself up to my bed. Slouching forward, her hands clasped together.

"Do you know why Nathan and I made the Vortex club?"

"To be with people that were like you?" I answered without hesitation. She thought for a moment, then continued.

"Well, yes, but-" she took more time to think, "We already have the photography class to have people that think like us, but… not the same lives as us."

"The poor rich kids?" I teased, she was quiet. I leaned forward, holding her shoulder.

"I'm sorry… I didn't-" I tried.

"No," she raised her hand, "it's ok. You're right," she took a deep breath in. I leaned against the wall. We were quiet for a few moments before she spoke again.

"It would still mean a lot if you went. If not for us, then for the heroes contest-"

"Ugh," I looked away. Then this means I really don't have a reason to go… other than my "relationship" with him.

"Nah, that'll make me want to go even less." She jumped off the bed with a thud.

"Suit yourself," she said while heading out the door.

The week continued, I gave Jefferson an old photograph of mine and Jo's mom, back when my mom worked at the clinic.

"A bit aged, I see." He held it up to the light. I wasn't gonna admit that I didn't take the photo.

"Yeah, I took it a few years back. Hope you don't mind, though. With only a week left for the heroes contest, I couldn't find time to take a new one." He pursed his lips, leaving the photograph on his desk.

"I'm guessing too busy with Nathan." I fell silent. I looked out the window, a small prayer that something distracting enough would happen outside.

"Ms. Thorne, I had hoped you would've taken this more seriously. You have the talent, but not the drive," he crossed his arms and leaned against the desk. I gave up on looking outside.

"That may be so, but I'm really not interested in this medium." I looked him straight in the eyes. Holding back any expressions that would be off-putting to him. He took on the challenge.

"I probably shouldn't say this," Then don't, "but your other teachers and I have been worried about… your method of payment… to the school." My throat tightened.

"Excuse my frankness, but I was sure that as long as I kept my grades up, I would be allowed to continue with my scholarship." Now I crossed my arms and Jefferson moved from the desk to look for something in his archives.

"And that continues to be the plan Ms. Thorne, but," he took out what looked to be my previous assignments, "your work has only really garnered mediocre scores, placing you below the acceptable GPA of the scholarship requirement." Ouch. I tried to think of a response. I'd put effort to those assignments, though, admittedly, I didn't care too much about really giving life into the photographs. My arm relaxed as I looked down. It was too late to retake those assignments. Plus, knowing me, I would probably just end up half-assing it again.

Only one other way.

But I don't want to.

Then say goodbye to the scholarship.

I can't! What about-

They can't help you now.

"What about the extra credit?" I asked, my eyes were shut tight. I heard his movements and gathered the courage to open them. He had a skeptical smile on him.

"I'm serious," I responded. He threw his hands up.

"So long as you stay serious," he grabbed a paper from his printer and held it out to me, "it's a list of things you have to find and photograph. Make a portfolio of your findings and turn it in by the end of the semester." I skimmed through the page. They were vague descriptions and labels of things. A couple, a judgment and loneliness. My confusion must've seeped through my expression since Jefferson continued.

"Don't focus too much on the terms. Look for the things that pop up at the moment. And remember, always take the shot." I slightly rolled my eyes. He gave a proud smile and patted my shoulder, walking past me.

" ," the door quieted, "can I ask you … don't tell Nathan?" I turned to face him. He bit his lip.

"If you're able to finish the extra credit in good time, I'll keep my end of the promise." For the first time since I started his class, I smiled. He nodded and left. I stared out the window, leaning closer to the pane. There were students outside, laughing and yelling.

"He's not gonna be happy if he finds out."

The "Everyday Heroes" contest results came in the next Friday, though by this time, everyone knew who the winner was. Jefferson had announced it Thursday during the Vortex Club party. Those who attended couldn't help but spread the news as soon as it was announced. I saw it on Friday morning, however.

Nathan won!?

It was written all over everybody's FB and the school website. Juliet was bombarding me with messages about how to go along with the story. Best I could tell her was to just stick with the facts. Once outside my room, Victoria came up to me, offering to walk to the school with me.

"Are you upset he won?" she asked once we were outside the dorms.

"I didn't care about the contest, to begin with," I answered.

"I didn't ask if you were upset for losing, I asked if you were upset because he won," she restated. I gave it a moment's thought. Him winning meant that I didn't have to worry about the contest anymore. Plus, he wasn't going to be here for the weekend. I stopped. Victoria looked at me with concern.

"What?" She asked. He won't be here for the weekend. I think she figured it out.

"You forgot that he was gonna be gone for three days?" I shook my head.

"Hmm, maybe." I couldn't bring myself to speak anymore.

Nathan's photograph was a simple photo of the lighthouse in Arcadia Bay with the figure of a person standing a little too close to the edge of the cliff. Just seeing them there made my feet ache. When Nathan walked in front of the crowd with Principal Wells and Jefferson, there was a slight buzz that weighed heavily over the hesitant claps and eager booing. Wells cleared his throat.

"As many of you heard last night during the Vortex Club party, the winner of the 'Everyday Heroes' contest is Nathan Prescott." Nathan nodded while Jefferson gave him a pat on the back. He had a serious face on but you could tell he was getting a kick out of seeing the other competitors so upset. I turned to Victoria, who had a very poker face.

"Are you upset he won?" I teased. She bit her lip, nonetheless, she answered.

"No, no, Nathan is just as talented as I am. This only means I have to improve to get to his level." Though it didn't show, there was a slight bitterness to her response. I patted her back, giving her a reassuring smile.

To make it look like we were gonna miss each other, we decided on a date to the park. It was close to sundown by the time we left. The park was southeast of the town and much closer to the state forest. A small area in front of the hiking trail is where we decided to walk around. I wore a simple black shirt tucked into a pair of gray jeans and burgundy sneakers. He wore his usual red jacket with a gray tee underneath. He swapped his usual dress shoes for yeezys. We followed a path that went around the picnic area in bittersweet silence. I guess he got fed up.

"Are you disappointed you lost?" he asked, sitting underneath a large willow tree. I sat next to him.

"Not really, I didn't even try the second time." I leaned against the tree, looking up. It was a beautiful sight. The night sky was overcoming the daytime as the sun shone the last ray of pink on the clouds.

"Wonder if you'll see this in San Francisco…" I added, breaking the peace.

"Already missing me?" he teased but I couldn't respond. Am I gonna miss you? His mischievous smile faded and he nudged me.

"Probably just gonna be weird not having anything to do in the afternoons," I finally responded.

"You're not traveling away this weekend?"

"Nope, don't have any plans… maybe I'll call up my old friend, see if he's got anything entertaining to do."

"Wow, you actually have friends your age?"

"Yes, I do. I may not talk to others but that doesn't mean I'm a social outcast." I said, a little too angrily. I took a breath and calmed down. I closed my eyes.

"What do you do on the weekends?"

"Not much, just visit home," I answered quickly. He fell silent. I thought he had given up on a conversation.

"And your old friend?" he asked bitterly.

"I see him every other day, when he's not too bothered to drive down here," I opened my eyes, giving up on getting a little nap. I stretched out my arms.

"The closest neighborhood is three minutes away?" he said in a confused tone. I elaborated.

"He lives up in North Arcadia. That's where my house is too," maybe now it was adding up. He got a skeptical look now.

"So that's why you don't fit in," I rolled my eyes as he began to chuckle.

"North Arcadia is not that different from here. It's not like it's another planet."

"Wait, don't tell me you're from that public school!" he began to laugh harder. I wasn't getting it.

"What's so funny?" I asked in frustration. He eased up and cleared his throat.

"It makes more sense now, why the other girls were so mad when we started dating," he said it so naturally. I felt a little offended.

"Why do you think I'm on a scholarship? It's not exactly easy to live so 'far' away."

"What minimum wage do your parents have to drive you to this point?" he asked, still trying to tease. But I couldn't answer him. Well, I could've, it wasn't that hard to explain, but the words were stuck in my stomach.

"They don't have jobs, at least not normal ones," I fell silent again, unable to add more.

"Like what?"

"Why do you care?"

"I'd like to at least figure out if my 'girlfriend' isn't in on this just for the money," he was being funny with his smile slowly fading. I swallowed my words and regurgitated different ones.

"My mom has a stay at home job, making money from the clients that visit her. And my dad… succumbed."

"To what-"

"He just succumbed, that's it," I added defensively. He backed off, for the moment.

"I have one more question," he spoke a little quieter. I turned to look at him and was barely able to see his sternness.

"If it's more about the contest, I told you-"

"Not that," daylight was becoming dimmer, "when's this gonna end?" I was caught off guard. But I had an answer ready.

"Until you get bored stringing me along," a slight breeze passed between us, the leaves rattling.

"Like a whore," the only light guiding me was the gloss over his eyes.

"Yeah."

He was gone early the next morning.

Having nothing to do, I stayed home while my mom worked. Walking in a few times while she was in the middle of a session. Jo must've known I was gonna be bored, either that or mom called his mom to get me out of the house. Around four, he called me to go to the drive-in with him. Then later when I was gonna meet up with him, he called to tell me his girlfriend was joining us. I sighed, but I couldn't bring myself to step out of it. The movie he wanted to go see was an R rated movie. Having a random guy go in by himself was already too suspicious.

"Fine, but I'm bringing someone along," I was finishing up with getting ready.

"Ugh, not the Prescott kid." I rolled my eyes.

"Relax, he's not even in the state. It's that kid that was picking you up last month."

"You still talk to him?"

"Mmm, not really, but he's my backup for things like this," I grabbed my keys and headed to my car.

"Fine, but you're gonna pay for him," I snorted. As if that was gonna be a challenge.

"Gotcha, we're meeting at the corner store right?" he hummed as confirmation. Once I hung up on him, I called Warren. There was a slight sound of something in the background.

"Hello?" he didn't sound too thrilled.

"Yo Warren, my very best friend, you're not busy this fine Saturday are ya?" I asked but didn't let him respond, "good, because you and I have plans. Are you at the school or where?"

"The dorms…" he was hesitating.

"Great, get ready in five, I'll be there in eight." I hung up before he could protest.

Like the obedient little kid that he was, he waited outside by the bikes. I rolled up next to him.

"So where are we going?"

"The movies of course," I eyed him a little, "you're dressed pretty fancily," he blushed, "well, you waiting for a formal invitation? Get in." He finally did so and we drove off. Heading north, Warren caught on that something was up.

"I thought you said we're going to the movies?"

"Technically, we're going to the drive-in, second, we need to make a quick stop." I gave a smile, which worsened his fear.

As we pulled up by Jo's car, Warren lost the color on his face. Jo's girlfriend wasn't too thrilled to see me either. I got out first, discussing the rest of the plan.

"Your car or mine?" I asked and Jo leaned on his car.

"Best be yours, my sound system's shit." I raised my eyebrow.

"You still haven't fixed it?"

"I did, it just went back to shit afterward," he said. What an excuse. I gave in and handed him my keys. I quickly told Warren to head to the back. Then grabbed an old picnic blanket from the trunk. Jo's girlfriend unhappily sat in the back as well. I handed them the blanket and instructed on when to hide. When we were all settled, Jo drove us off to the drive-in. A short line lead through the gates of the parking lot. That was when I warned the two to put the blanket over each other and lie down. The security guard did suspect the lumpy back, which I quickly excused as a shitty back seat. Once inside, I couldn't help but laugh.

"You're so lucky this is an independent drive-in," I said, trying to hold back my laughter. We were guided to the available space and the two kids were able to get rid of the blanket.

"You ready for your first R rated movie Warren?" I asked before I switched seats with the girlfriend. Almost as soon as I was sitting next to him, he whispered.

"This isn't my first R film," he sounded so guilty. I laughed a little.

"You'll get over it soon enough."

The film showing was "Teeth". The sexual tension got the Jo and his girlfriend, who then proceeded to make out in front of us. I sighed, which didn't deter the two. I tugged on Warren's sleeve and led him out of the car.

"Let's go get some snacks," I exclaimed. Despite the place being a very small known area, they still managed to have a concessions stand. However, that didn't have anything too appetizing, especially with the content of the movie.

"So I guess you must be missing him," Warren spoke. I nearly jumped at the sound of his normal voice.

"I don't- wait, who?" I stepped out of the line and leaned against the wall. He crossed his arms and gave a mischievous smile.

"Oh, Nathan… no," I couldn't help but turn away. He stood next to me and nudged my elbow.

"You're not a very good liar," he had a stupid smile on now. I pursed my lips.

"Well, what other thing am I supposed to say? I miss him of course, he's my boyf-" I couldn't finish. He wasn't my boyfriend. Not really. It's always hard to speak to him and get along with him because he's so different from the people I'm used to. Still, I feel so bad for him. It didn't take long to notice what his deal was but it still too long to confirm anything, with him being so closed in.

"Man you have it bad," he laughed. Again, his different tone surprised me. Or maybe it was his words. I touched my cheek and felt the heat.

"It's not that, I-" I'm not even his real girlfriend. I leaned back against the wall and hid my face. He's right, I'm a bad liar. Can't even lie to myself.

"Oh god, what'll he think!" I felt like crying, but no tears streamed down. Instead, my heart beat out of my chest and a smile formed on my lips.

"What'll who think?" he asked, I shook my head. I just need a moment. Or an entire lifetime.