Brian Krakow. Isn't it funny how someone's name can represent the same thing your entire life and then one day…it's just different. Like you suddenly understand them or something. Brian Krakow.

"Angela? Angela?" Rickie waved his hand in front of my face. "Are you even listening?"

I pushed away from the lockers and nodded. "Yeah, sorry Rickie. What were you saying again?"

He looked at me for a second and then closed his locker. "Never mind. What were you thinking about?"

"Just this…thing….with Brian and Jordan? Gosh, it's like, I can't even look at either of them."

We started walking down the hall towards Katimski's. A door next to us burst open and Rayanne stumbled out with this guy. Rayanne froze when she saw us and avoided our eyes. The jock she was with walked away, calling a goodbye to Rayanne over his shoulder.

I turned my head. I felt sick. She hadn't learned at all. She just went around hooking up with whoever she felt like whenever she felt like it. It didn't matter to her who she hurt in the process.

"Uh…hey Rayanne." Rickie shifted his feet awkwardly, torn between the two of us.

"Hey." Rayanne bit her lip and glanced at me out of the corner of her eye. After a second's hesitation she brushed past us and disappeared out of sight.

We walked in silence the rest of the way to English.

Meanwhile...

Underneath the bleachers outside of school, Jordan and Shane stood silently, smoking cigarettes. Another teenager joined them and started talking to Shane but Jordan appeared oblivious. His blue eyes stared intently out towards the field, and in one quick move he dropped the cigarette and crushed it under his feet. He barely glanced at Shane before walking purposefully towards the school.

"Yo Catalano, where you goin'?" Shane shouted after him but there was no answer.

In class...

"Catalano? Jordan Catalano?" I dropped my eyes and ignored the hurt that rose when Mr. Katimski called his name. He wasn't in English. I don't know why I felt surprised and disappointed. He never came before. It was only in the last couple of months that he made an effort.

That's when I realized how much things had changed. This time last year I was staring dreamy-eyed at him as he leaned on lockers with his friends. And now…now we've made out in secret, dated, broken up, had real conversations… I've been betrayed and lied to by him but I can't stay away.

I looked over to the left to try to stop my thoughts. That was a mistake. Brian quickly averted his eyes when I glanced at him. I self-consciously tucked my hair behind my ear and returned my gaze to the front.

The thing about realizations is a person can only handle so many in one day. Brian likes me. Gosh even the thought makes my cheeks warm. It's like everyone can hear or something. Not that I'm embarrassed. It's just…he's Brian Krakow. My next-door neighbor.

I like Brian-for the most part. He can be a great listener and he's dependable. But the thing is; he doesn't really understand me. Brian thinks he knows me, but he really loves the way I was when we were younger. I'm not that person anymore. I'm just not. And I don't want to be her again, either. I've changed and I just wish Brian would accept that.

A manicured hand suddenly tapped my desk. I looked to my right and did a double-take when I saw Casey Hall- in all her blonde beauty staring at me. "Your name's Angela right?"

I exchanged disbelieving glances with Rickie. Through gossip and rumors, I had known practically everything about her since 2nd grade and…she didn't even know my name? I smiled awkwardly, "Um…yeah."

She tossed her hair and looked me up and down critically. "I think Jordan Catalano wants you."

"What?" I asked surprised. I followed Casey's gaze to the doorway where Jordan stood beckoning to me urgently. What was he doing? Half the class was snickering and looking between the two us with raised eyebrows. I couldn't believe the teacher hadn't noticed him. I couldn't believe I hadn't noticed him.

I looked at Rickie, panicking. He shrugged and looked over at Jordan. Sharon shook her head at me, mouthing. "Don't go."

But it was Jordan. I looked up at him and his lips formed the word please. It was like a dream. Jordan Catalano wasn't really standing in the doorway in sight of the whole class, staring desperately at me. I barely noticed as I stood up and gathered my things, walking across the room. I avoided everyone's eyes. I could feel the questions and gossip in their curious and knowing gazes. I could also sense Brian's eyes burning sharply into my back.

"Miss Chase? Angela, where are you going?"

I glanced at Mr. Katimski as I passed through the doorway but Jordan grabbed my hand and pulled me down the hall before I could say anything.