Ravi was in a foul mood.

Had someone actually cared enough to talk to him, to stop him in his tracks, he might have gone off on them. Politeness was forgotten at that point. His self-control was hanging by a thread, a thread that was on its last end, that had been stretched to the breaking point.

It was beyond some mild irritation, beyond some stunt that Luke pulled. He was absolutely livid.

He should have known, really, that in the end, Jessie was going to make him apologize to Zuri; he should have known that at some point, she was going snap from all the crap she was receiving and break. Naturally, her anger and exhaustion was going to be directed at him despite him having little to do with it. It wasn't as if she would think logically for once and go to the ( actual) source and take care of it. No, she exploded on him ; a fact that he was still somewhat bitter about.

Scratch that. He was completely bitter and had good reason to be!

Do you? Do you really?

Absolutely! She is being ridiculously unfair and I, for one, am sick of it. I should not have to put up with this

That's called life

Well I am sick of that as well! Why should I have to carry the burdens of someone else's sins while my own wrong doings are treated as though I have committed a devious crime?

Shouldn't you be asking Jessie that?

Ugghhhhh

If he had any sort of hope that she would see things from his point of view, he might have went out on a whim and confronted her before it was time to leave for school. He might have poured his heart out to her for the slim chance of her realizing what she had been doing this whole time and they would share a hug with the fierce promise that she would do better and he would promise he would communicate more often-

But he wasn't an idiot.

It was real life that he was dealing with; not some sappy sitcom where the main issue was over and done within a thirty-minute time slot.

Jessie was still of the mindset that it was Ravi that had instigated the fight and refused to listen to his attempts at explaining the truth.

Why was everyone else given a chance their side of the story, but when it came to Ravi, he was promptly shut out? It was favoritism at its finest.

Ravi slammed the door to his locker harder than need be. He'd walked well ahead of his siblings on their way to school that morning, determined not to stay around long enough for them to antagonize him. His blood was still boiling from the scene in the kitchen and he did not want a repeat of that, especially not out in public where it could be uploaded to the internet for all eyes to witness.

That didn't stop Luke or Zuri from talking about him, though. They hadn't even bothered to lower their voices and as a result, he'd heard them discussing his...episode. His ears strained to catch everything between all of the noisy cars and sirens and people chatting on their cell phones as they made the commute to work.

Faintly, partly due to his subtle halt in his walking, purposefully slowing down so as they were closer (neither of them paid any attention or if they did, they didn't verbalize it), he heard something that Zuri said that only worsened his mood. She had known that Jessie was going to force him to apologize, only not exactly in that circumstance. She had gone to Jessie the night before just after they were all supposed to be tucked in their beds, pretending that Ravi's lack of apology had really gotten to her and even threw in a few fake tears for added effect. She and Luke laughed.

He should have known. He should have known she would seize an opportunity to make him look bad. And for what? What sort of entertainment did she get from doing it? It wasn't fair. Out of all the families he could've been placed with...why did it have to be them?

He could've gotten siblings that cared for him, that he could be close with.

Instead, things were different. Things were far from the life he envisioned for himself.

He was nearly all the way down the hallway, keeping his head down low except to look out for anyone coming his way. He didn't see Shelby rush up behind him and put her hands over his eyes; though he did have a clue, the scent of vanilla reached his nose, she always wore that.

Now you know what she smells like. Interesting

How is that interesting? It is not hard to guess. She always wears it. I'm simply stating a fact

Of course you are

"Guess whoooo?" she giggled into his ear.

Ravi cringed at how close she was; he wiggled out of her arms, turning to face her with increasing aggravation. "Must you do that?" his voice came out sharper than he'd intended for it to be. "You may tolerate your personal space being invaded but I do not and I would appreciate if yiu respected that. Please, keep away from me."

"Oops, sorry," she grinned, her arms dropping to her side. "Sometimes I forget you're not so touchy-touchy. Emily got like that. She got so grumpy when I hugged her. Do you like being hugged? I do! It feels so good. Caleb only let me hug him from the side. I'm glad he's not super tall. That would've been weird, ya know? But he's kinda short, for a guy anyway. He's around my height. His brother picks on him for it but he just ignores him." She took a glance at him, from his head to his feet. "We're close, too! I bet if I stood behind you, we'd be head-to-head. Wanna see?" she was going to move but he held his hands out to stop her.

"No," he said flatly, unamused by her absurd stories. "I don't care to."

"Okay," she chirped. "That's fine. Have you decided when we'll work on our project again?"

"Not exactly." He hadn't thought about it at all. He'd been so consumed by his anger toward Jessie and Zuri, everything else was nonexistent. "Perhaps today or tomorrow."

"Okay!" she repeated. "Are we still going to the park?"

"I believe so, yes."

'Which one? Central park or the one by my apartment? I don't care, whichever one you wanna do. I just gotta text my dad and tell him where I'm going. Do you have to tell Jessie or does she let you guys do whatever you want? Emily's parents are super strict and sometimes she go somewhere without telling them just to annoy them. I didn't think that was a good idea but Emily's pretty stubborn. She doesn't like to be told what to do."

Sounds familiar

"I think we'll manage just fine going to Central Park," Ravi cut in before she could launch into another spiel. "Besides, it is supposed to be hot this week and I doubt either of us should be walking around out there for long periods of time."

They could take a taxi, he had the money to do so. He wasn't going to suggest that; he wanted to remain as far away from there as he could. Even worse was the image of them being crammed into the car; Shelby would find some excuse to touch him.

He cringed, again.

"It's not gonna be that bad," Shelby countered, stepping aside for one of the popular girls (at least, he assumed she was popular. She'd been seen with Mitch and Luke before) to walk around them. The girl glared at Shelby, muttering something to her friend and they both snickered. It reminded him of his siblings and he-for some reason-wasn't happy with it.

He frowned.

"Oooh and I have an idea!" She clapped her hands together with glee (she must not have paid attention to the girl or chose to ignore it. Either was plausible). "When we're done, we could use the playground! I love the swings and monkey bars, don't you? Wouldn't that just be so fun? I haven't been to the park yet, I can't wait to go!"

Is there anything this girl doesn't regard as fun?

Brussel sprouts, maybe?

I doubt it. She would probably make a game out of it and it would be so fun!

You don't have to mock her

I will do as I please

She paused to smile at him, again. Her dimples were showing and her teeth; it was a type of smile that some could become lost in if they happened to be infatuated with her. But Ravi was smarter than that and he was not impressed.

"I'm really glad we're partners," she put her hands on each of his arms and squeezed gently.

He fought the urge to pull away, to escape the needless touching. Why couldn't she just leave him alone and respect that he wanted his space? Was it so hard to understand? He didn't think it was.

"...Aren't you?" He suddenly tuned in and blinked.

"Excuse me?"

Everything she had said just went over his head. Ravi couldn't have said whether she actually spoke or not. He did that; he zoned out (sometimes it was unintentional, sometimes it wasn't).

"You're happy about being partners, aren't you? I know I am! It's better to be partners with your friend, isn't it? Much better than someone you don't know, then the work doesn't feel like work. You know what I mean?"

How can I when you stop to breathe?

Well, she has a good set of lungs on her

"Yes," he said warily- to all of her questions. Better stick to that instead of trying to explain that he actually didn't want to be her partner, that he had every second of it and was counting down the minutes until the project was done.

She would smile and somehow be alright with it and he couldn't take it. Couldn't take anymore of that ridiculous smile-

"So, are you having a good day?" She asked him as they started to walk again (Ravi had enough of the pointed looks and she had followed...of course).

"It's fine," he replied shortly.

He didn't wish to...she wouldn't get it. He refused to divulge, especially to her.

"Do you need a hug?" She asked with a wide smile. "I think you need a hug. You look a little glum."

Ravi moved away (which he couldn't exactly do as much as he would have preferred to- it was a narrow hallway), eyeing her suspiciously as if she would tackle him and knowing Shelby, she would. "Do not touch me."

"You're like my brother!" She exclaimed. "He doesn't like hugs either and neither did Emily. She used to threaten me whenever I did it. Isn't that something? I think she was joking, though. I can't imagine anyone getting mad over a hug, can you?"

I can because I am not ignorant to anyone else's feelings

Now you're just being harsh

Anyone that is similar to her deserves it. The world does not revolve around her and her beliefs

Stop taking your anger out on her. She isn't Zuri or Jessie

You're correct. She is worse

"No," he put as much as sarcasm as he could into that one word. He hoped she would catch on but it became apparent that she was not the type of person to understand hints.

She nodded. "Right. Emily's kinda grumpy sometimes so she used to threaten everyone, especially Caleb. They're like a married couple. Ooo, I wonder if they like each other. Wouldn't that be so cute? I think so. They would be adorable and totally unexpected. I'll have to ask Caleb about it. If I ask Emily, she'll yell at me and she can yell pretty loud. I've heard her."

If I yell, will you go away?

"Wait, I need to stop at my locker," she told him, sneaking in through the gap in the traffic. Ravi only came with her because he just knew if he didn't, she would do something embarrassing.

Like shout his name as he was walking away.

He shuddered.

Shelby opened up her locker and he immediately came face-to-face with a picture of her dog that was taped to the side of the door. It was a golden retriever and had not yet gotten out of its puppy stage.

Despite how annoying its owner was, Ravi thought the dog was adorable.

"That's Chewie," Shelby obviously noticed him staring. "He's so cute, isn't he? He's just a few weeks old. I love him so much. I've never had a dog before. My brother and I had to beg our parents for one. My dad's allergic and didn't want a pet but my brother and I convinced him and we got Chewie for Christmas!"

"Why did you name him Chewie?" He couldn't stop himself from asking.

Shelby seemed utterly thrilled that he was taking an interest into her personal life. "Funny story, when we got him, we were eating those chocolate chip chewy cookies and I just knew that would be a perfect name. Isn't it clever? I just changed the spelling."

"Fascinating," he said but didn't mean it.

"I know right?"

Lord help me get through this conversation

Well, he took a peek at the contents of her locker and could report that-on the plus side- to wasn't as messy as some of the others (Luke's, namely). She kept things in a neat order, excluding a few half empty water bottles. In addition to that, he spied about three science books that he was quite certain didn't pertain to a class. "Those are science books."

Way to state the obvious

"Yeah," she said with a slight giggle.

"Why are you reading those?" He knew he was being nosy but screw it. "I did not take you for someone that had an interest in science."

"Of course! Science is fascinating. But I'm not very good," she sighed heavily-more so dramatically. "It's pretty confusing, kinda like math. No, wait, math's worse. What do you think? You said you were decent at math, though."

There was a spot in the corner of her right lens that was driving him crazy. Did not she see it? She'd of had to, it was right within the range of her vision. He would think she would have enough sense to clean it off before class.

He was going to say something...then hesitated.

Are you scared?

NO! I just..

You're scared, of what, I don't know

Nothing

"Shelby," he interjected and he ignored how her face lit up. Usually she did most of the talking. "I suggest you clean your glasses off, there is a spot right there," he pointed toward it without getting close enough to smudge up the lens.

"Oh, I know."

Then why haven't you cleaned it?

"I'm waiting till I get to class," she told him, smiling at someone he didn't know by name but she apparently did. "It's kinda messy."

"Do you use the wipes or the spray?" He didn't why he seemingly cared but, by giving in and talking to her (even despite her insane chattering), it was slowly ebbing away his anger.

That's interesting

What is?

Shelby's making you feel better

She isn't. I am. I don't want to be angry in class. I must focus

You really won't admit to anything, will you?

"The spray if I'm at home and wipes if I'm out. I hate the smell, don't you? Well, I guess you haven't had to smell it if no one you know uses it. Does anyone in your family have glasses? My dad does for reading but I'm the only one that wears them all the time. My brother calls me four eyes. I think it's funny. I didn't used to; I thought he was being kinda mean but I don't anymore. I always try to look on the bright side. I think it's very importent. Now I know he's just trying to be funny."

It wouldn't hurt you to look on the bright side either

Why would I do that when there is no bright side?

There is if you believe there is

Well, I don't believe there is and I won't waste time in a fantasy land when I can stay grounded in reality

"I see," he said. "That's, err, nice to hear. I think."

"Oh yes," she said with a slight bounce in her step. "But, you know, you never answered my question."

"What question?"

"Well," she paused to think, "I suppose I didn't really ask you. I said you looked glum. What's wrong? Did someone upset you? Are you nervous for class? Is there anything I can do to help? Because I wanna help. I hate it when my friends are upset, it's so sad. Like a dog dying in a movie. Oh, I didn't mean to compare you to a dog-not like that. I just mean they're both sad."

He waited until she was quiet (and momentarily relished in the blissful peace). "I am fine."

No, you're not

"No, you're not," she wasn't convinced. "I can tell. I can see it in your eyes. They're very expressive, did you know? Something's wrong. You wanna talk about it? I'll listen, I promise I will. I'll be quiet until you're done."

He doubted as much.

And besides, he was aware of a few nosy ears that had perked up after hearing her pled with him. Ravi wasn't stupid enough to say anything to her and out in the open, least of all.

"That's quite alright. We should get to class. We don't want to be late."

"We have ten minutes, don't worry!"

Great

"You really shouldn't hold it in," she continued. She really must have thought highly of herself, as if she was a certified therapist with Ravi as her patient. "If you do, you'll just explode one day." She made a gesture with a noise.

"I mean this with no offense intended." That's a lie. "But you you do not know me. There's no guarantee that I shall explode."

Then what was that lovely scene in the living room? The kitchen? Letting off some steam?

I will admit I lost my temper for a second but that is hardly the same thing

It would be if Jessie didn't come in

No it wouldn't have!

"Of course, I know you. We're besties. Besties always know each other. Besides, you don't have to know a person well to know that. It's elementary, my dear Watson."

He rolled his eyes.

"And I suppose you're going to be looking into a career as a psychiatrist?"

"Oh, I don't know," she shrugged. "I'd be good at it, I'm sure but I don't think it's for me, ya know? I want something fun, something exciting."

Well, I'm terribly sorry that actual work doesn't fit your idea of "fun"

She nudged him playfully. "You keep changing the subject. That just proves that there's something wrong."

She's got you

"You're mistaken," he reacted defensively.

"I don't think I am. You fit the criteria."

"What criteria?"

She grinned and went into the classroom. Ravi stood there, befuddled.

What criteria?