"I'm coming!" Cody called, racing down the stairs. Who was at her door this early? If it was Squib…she sighed. The second day and he had already managed to annoy her?

"Squi-," She flung open the door, but froze mid-scold when she saw who was on the other side. "Nate!" She cried, considerably brighter.

"Hey," he offered her a small smile. "This a bad time? You seem kind of…"

"No, no, it's fine," she assured him. She stepped forward slightly, hesitated, and then embraced him in a short and awkward hug.

"How was your mom's?" He inquired after they'd separated.

"Oh, pretty boring," she chuckled nervously. "Yours?"

"The same, really. I did find a box of her old stuff in the attic, though. A lot of old vinyl; I'll have to show you."

"Yeah," Cody smiled. "Hey," she said, remembering, "I thought you weren't getting back until this afternoon?"

"Hopped on an earlier flight; it left late last night. I figured I could walk you to class?"

"Uh, yeah, sure, just let me grab my stuff," Nate nodded as Cody quickly darted around the living room, gathering her books. "Okay," she smiled.

"Okay," the pair headed out the door.

"So," Squib said, walking down the hall with Cameron.

"So," Cameron repeated.

"So…"

"Squib, if you have something to say, just say it!"

"I just wanted to know how you felt about Tanis'…new guy," Squib said carefully.

"What about him?" The pair rounded a corner.

"Well, I dunno, I mean, last I checked, you two were sorta…"

"Sort of what, Squib?"

"Gee, sorry, never mind," Squib rolled his eyes.

"Hey, Cam!" Adena called when the boys entered the room. "Have you seen Tanis?"

"No," Cameron shrugged, taking his seat.

"Shouldn't we be asking you that? I mean, she is your roommate…" Squib sat down beside Cameron.

"She said she'd catch up this morning; she was running late. But class is about to start! Where is she?"

"Where's who?" Nate asked as he entered the class with Cody. The two took their seats across from Squib and Cameron.

"Oh, hey, Nate," Cameron greeted the other boy, "how was your summer?"

"Okay," Nate shrugged, a laid-back grin on his face.

"Hey, Nate," Squib practically grumbled.

"Hey, Squibey," Nate smirked.

"Wait, so, who are we talking about?" Cody quickly spoke up.

"Tanis," Adena explained, "I don't know what's keeping her."

"Everyone," Ms. Wiley walked into the room, "take out your novels, please," as she passed, she placed one on Nate's desk, "and open to chapter 3." She placed her armful of papers on her desk, and promptly began roll call.

"She's gonna be late!" Adena whispered back to Cameron, as Ms. Wiley reached the O's.

"Tanis…" Ms. Wiley looked up from her sheet, "Tanis?"

"Here!" The class turned around to see a frazzled Tanis McTaggart speeding through the door.

"You're late," Ms. Wiley sighed.

"I know! I'm sorry! There was this phone call from home and-,"

"Whatever," the teacher shook her head impatiently, "I'm sure your excuse is fabulous and you spent many hours working on it last night. Please sit down."

"Where were you?" Cody whispered as the attendance continued.

"Kelly called," Tanis smiled, "I got kind of distracted."

"You are giving me all the details," Adena giggled.

"Kelly?" Nate raised an eyebrow.

"I'll explain later," Cody promised.

"Okay," Ms. Wiley called above the noise, "now, when we left off…Hello! Everyone! Pay attention! When we left- Ms. Stiles! Quiet! Now- SQUIB! Put DOWN the paper airplane!"

"So, it's a guy…named Kelly?" Nate clarified.

"That's what I said!" Cody laughed.

"Well, your name is Cody," he pointed out.

"You know, I wish everyone would stop throwing that in my face…"

"Cody!" The two turned around to see Squib running toward them.

"Hey, Squib," she greeted. Nate repeated her words, substantially less enthusiastic.

"Hey, we're playing cards in the Open tonight; you in?"

"Sure," Cody smiled.

"Don't you guys ever do anything else?" Nate asked.

"No," Squib snarled, "Why?"

"Because, playing cards all the time is boring," Nate responded, as if it were obvious.

"Well, it's a good thing you weren't invited, then."

"Since when do we invite people to cards?" Cody asked, struggling to cut the tension.

"Since now."

"Aw, an evening of boring games with a roomful of egotistical jocks? Sorry I'll miss that," Nate snapped.

"Don't you have somewhere to be? Bad music to listen to? A father to yell at you?" Squib barked.

"Squib!" Cody cried.

"Don't you have somewhere to be?" Nate asked. "A crappy swing to work on? A father to ignore you?"

"Nate!"

"You know what? I'm late for practice," Squib said coldly, "see you later, Cody," he took off down the hall."

"Nate," she sighed, turning toward him, "you and Squib have got to-,"

"He's right," Nate glanced at his watch, "I've got to meet my dad. Only the second day and already the fun is beginning. See you."

"Wait, but…" He was already gone. Cody sighed, you've got that right, she thought to herself, only the second day and already the fun is beginning…