I made my way to my history class, as that was the class I had after lunch. I sat at a desk in the back, mostly because I was new and didn't know anyone, so I felt it would be more helpful for my anxiety not to sit where people sat behind me. I pulled my history notebook out and started doodling on the new page, zoning out just a bit. I hadn't noticed how quickly the class started filling in after I sat down, honestly, so when I looked up to see a packed classroom, I was surprised. I quickly noticed a seat next to me that happened to be still empty. Huh, weird. Just as I made the observation, it seemed as if the universe was punishing me or something in return as the same guy I had gotten jealous about during lunch, Emmett, walked through the door and looked at the seat next to me before moving his eyes towards me. I immediately looked away as soon as he looked at me, and I heard footsteps walking up to the seat next to me before a soft thud on the chair followed it. I look up the class board as Mrs. Choi starts going over the class syllabus and how each part of our participation impacts our final grade. I look around the classroom as she finishes up, weary that Emmett might still be looking at me, so I look at him through my peripheral view, and to my surprise, he's staring at me with a soft smirk. I focus my eyes on my notebook as I immediately turn red from my new observation. I mean, how long had he been staring at me like that? It's not like I'm cute; I'm just a short-stacked potato. Mrs.Choi then stated that she would start to tell everyone about their class project partners for the school year. She gets through the entire class, I'm assuming to save me for last, but it made me realize that there was only one person left in the room who didn't have a partner yet. Emmett.

"Silas Scott?" She said as she looked around the room to confirm my presence, so I silently raised my hand, " ah, there you are. Your partner for the school year will be Emmett Cullen, okay?"

" Okay," I said as I looked down at my desk, working up the courage to even look my class partner in the eyes, let alone speak to him. Of all people to possibly pair me with... she chose what I could only compare to a Greek god.

" That will be it for class today. You may use the rest of the class time to plan your school year for this class period or do as you like." She said cheerily.

As soon as she finished her statement, I felt a tap on my shoulder. Looking over to my side, I realized it was Emmett, and I was a bit confused as we didn't have to talk until our first project, so why was he talking to a normie like me at a time like this. But I guess the entire class had the same train of thought as him as they all started talking.

"Hey, I'm Emmett...I guess we're partners for the school year?" his smirk grew into a smile, "You seem pretty nice, so hopefully, projects will be a breeze.. I've dealt with people in my previous year who make projects a nightmare. Not going to lie.."

"Oh?.. I guess you could say I'm nice." I said softly, " Not to sound rude or anything... but why are you talking to me .. like of all people to talk to ... me ?"

"Are we not supposed to talk to each other or something?.. I see practically the entire class doing it, to be honest.." he responds, confused a bit, his smile immediately fading into a frown. Seeing his smile disappear made me instantly feel bad. I couldn't help it, I had terrible anxiety, and although I talk to people, it's hard for me to believe someone I find attractive would ever want to talk to me. Maybe it's due to my insecurities and trauma when I was smaller? I softly bit my lip out of anxiety, trying to think of a way to bring his smile back, and decided I would be somewhat straightforward and admit why I didn't expect him to speak to me.

"I'm sorry, it's just I didn't expect someone as good-looking as you to talk to someone as average as me," I respond. It's as if me saying that was the solution to his frown because he immediately smiled as if what I told amused him.

"So you think I'm good-looking. Huh, interesting I never had a guy say that about me..." he said with a soft smirk.

"You're lucky my pronouns are he/they, or I'd be correcting your ass religiously right now.." I said in a whisper under my breath.

"Are you not a guy, though.?..I mean, you look like one.." he says, confused.

" Dude has no one told you it's like 2022... it's super rude to assume the gender someone identifies as.." I respond with a bit of annoyance.

As I finish my sentence, the school bell rings, marking the end of this class period and starting the next one. I quickly pack my notebook into my bag, slip my bag onto my back and walk out of the classroom. I had a free period, so I stood to the side in the hall, trying to figure out what I would do in the meantime when I felt hands on my shoulder. I looked back to identify who it was, only to see a chest near my face, so I looked up to see Emmett smiling down at me. Of course, only he would do something like this as I barely knew everyone in the school except genesis.

"You have a free period as well? Maybe we should hang out together until our next class.." he said in an enthusiastic tone, softly patting my shoulder.

" I guess we could...I was thinking of just going to the library and reading to myself or something.." I say softly.

"We can both go to the library then... I don't mind." He says casually, " I just don't have anyone to hang out with since I'm new."

"So am I. I haven't been to public schooling in years, so a lot of stuff and the way they work is pretty foreign to me.." I respond.

" In years? What do you mean by that? Why would you be away from school for years ?" He says in a flabbergasted tone.

" I'll... explain it when we get to the library... okay ?" I say, looking down, unsure of how to even explain the situation without confusing him while I start walking to the library, hoping he is following behind me.