[: Author's Note :]

I'm glad that a lot of people are enjoying this! I'm trying not to put in too many author's notes because I want to let everyone just read, but I couldn't help it this time..

I'm sorry that it takes my chapters a little while to get up. Every day, I add a few more sentences or paragraphs to a chapter I'm working on until I feel that I've done what I must to it. That's the way I work! Anywho, on with the story!

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[: Lizzie's P.O.V :]

Miranda and I quietly walked to our last class for the day.

I shifted slightly in the silence as I wondered why Miranda had become so quiet. Why I'd become so quiet..

We entered the classroom and in routine, headed for the right corner of the classroom. Miranda sat at a desk and I sat next to her in the corner desk before sending a slight glance at the seat behind me that wouldn't be occupied by Gordo. I felt a weird tingling sensation in my heart.. Without giving it a second thought, I took out a pencil and listened to the bell ring.

- -

Our teacher, Miss Eaton, was a total ditz. She was new this year and obviously very excited. She literally ran around the room as she searched for her roll sheet and other things. It was actually quite hilarious. Still, her perky attitude had us all a little skeptical. It was like she never stopped smiling..

She began calling us for roll. She went through the whole thing where if you wanted to be called by a nickname, to state it when she called you or to tell her if she pronounced your name wrong. We all knew this by now, but I tried to stay focused on these repeated words..

I sat quietly through it.. The 'M's were getting closer and after a while, she clearly said, "Jacobs, Ronald."

I felt my eyes bug out of my head. Did she just say what I think she said!? Ronald Jacobs as in Ronnie as in my paperboy who was my boyfriend!? It had to be a mistake..

But no. I heard an oh-so-familiar voice say, "I'm here.. But call me Ronnie."

I had this strange urge to turn around to get the facts straight, but I remained immobile. Shocked.. Even when the teacher said, "McGuire, Elizabeth," I was quiet. That is until Miranda leaned across the space between our desks to elbow me hard in the ribs..

I yelped before realizing what was happening.. I blushed brightly and said in my meekest voice, "Umm.. Here. No one calls me Elizabeth though. Lizzie, please."

Miss Eaton smiled her perky smile and marked me 'present' before continuing.

To my surprise, no one laughed. They were cool as cucumbers.. Maybe even ice cubes.

- -

The minutes seemed to drag on for an eternity.. The classes you didn't favor always seemed to take forever. Especially classes that had your ex-boyfriend in them.

Finally, after the long roll call, she let us walk around the room and "get to know each other." I stayed in my seat and remained looking at my desk..

Miranda tried to get my attention, but to no avail. She finally took to coming in front of my desk and crouching down to get in my gaze. She whispered frantically, "Lizzie!?"

I reluctantly looked at her and whispered back, "What?"

Miranda appeared totally freaked out as she made gestures with her hands and spoke, "Oh my gosh!! I can't believe your boyfriend is in our class! This is like.. Scary!!!"

Of course, I'd gotten over Ronnie, but the subject was still a tender one.. I leered at her and replied, "Ex-boyfriend."

She looked really apologetic.. Frowning, she said, "I'm sorry, Lizzie.. It's just.. You know.."

I nodded my head and added a little smile for emphasis, "I know, 'Randy.. It's okay.."

Just then, our quiet conversation was interrupted and I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around in my desk and my eyes met with none other than Ronnie's..

He looked basically the same.. A little taller and a little less lanky. I even heard my brain yell, "He's cuter, too!" I mentally slapped myself.

He smiled a white-toothed smile and said, "Hey, Lizzie! Long time, no see, eh?"

I tried not to sound cold when I answered.. "Hi.. Yeah, I guess it has been a long time."

Miranda was quiet as she looked at him. This was the first time she'd seen him and I knew she was trying not to think that this guy who broke my heart was a hottie.. I felt my face grow slightly warm in the silence and I let it settle for a while longer.

Like a lifesaver being thrown to me, a victim drowning in a dead conversation, the bell rang to let us out of school for the day. Ronnie smiled one last time before saying, "See you around!" Then he was gone.

I felt the shock coming back and I looked at Miranda. We both didn't say a word..