Ally's Pov.

Hayden and I sat in relative silence for lunch, I read and he played on his phone. Every time he would die in the game he would pout a little before quickly trying again, it was kind of cute. Whenever someone walked in and looked our way I ducked my head to tried to avoid being noticed but Hayden kept shooting them this warning look, practically daring them to say or do something. The bell finally went and I started to pack up my things.

"What's your next class"

It takes me a moment to realize that he is talking to me and another moment for me to be able to recall my schedule.

"Uhh...I have sociology"

"So do I. seems we have more than one class in common."

He smiles and tips his head towards the exit, a silent invitation to walk together. I haven't had a friend to walk with to class for years now, it's unnerving but not unwelcome. Friends, can I even really call him a friend? After years of tormenting him, I made his life a living hell, and yet he forgave me. I still can't really understand why he forgave me, after being on the receiving end of that torment I can't understand it, maybe I shouldn't question it but can you blame me really. He leaves, practically drops off the face of the earth, he used to be so quiet and shy. I can still remember his bright green eyes always full of curiosity, the small dusting of freckles across the bridge of his nose that you could only see if you got really close and knew what you were looking for, he used to stammer when he got nervous and I thought it was kinda cute but everyone around me always got so annoyed by it. When I look at him now I see nothing of the boy I knew, I wouldn't have even recognized him if the teacher hadn't of announced who he was, his eyes while still, the same shade of green seem dull and lifeless, his smile is a mockery of what it once was, it no longer reaches his eyes making them dance with joy, now they are blank, closed off, like he is afraid to show any real emotion, he fulled out nicely, all corded muscle waiting to spring into action, he is no longer the soft sweet boy that I knew and a very large part of me worries that I broke that boy, that I caused him to try and piece himself back together.

Without even realizing it I find that we are already sitting in class, the teacher started talking a few minutes ago from what I can gather, and once again Hayden is sitting next to me, though this time it was is choice which only baffles me further. I look over at him hoping to find I am wrong, that there is still some small trace of the Hayden I knew, but I am met with the same image as before, blank bored eyes, no smile and no matter how hard I look I can't even see the freckles. He lifts his eyes to me and tilts his head in question, damn I must have been staring for too long, I shake my head slightly to try and communicate that there is nothing wrong and he narrows his eyes slightly before turning his attention back to the teacher who seems to be wrapping up whatever he was going on about.

"Okay everyone I can see that I have lost you all so let's talk about your first project of the year."

I watch as everyone's heads suddenly snap up and their glazed-over eyes lock onto him anxious to see how much work they are going to actually have to put into this.

"I thought that might get your attention. As you all know sociology is concerned with the study of society, human behaviour, and relationships. Your project is a simple one really, partner up, and although I will regret this you can choose your partner, and together you will take a look at one of three things. If you are already close friends then you can either look at and comment on the society that you know, or you can look at the hundreds of people around you and observe and comment on their behaviour. If you are not close with your partner you can use this chance to get a first-hand look at how our relationships grow and change, catalogue what you do together and keep separate journals on how you feel at every point and the present to the class your separate journals. This allows you and everyone to see first hand the development and progress of each person as the relationship grows. You have the entire semester to work on it, you will present to the class in the last week"

Everyone immediately starts to pair off, looking for their friends and a few even look for people they have never spoken to. I wait patiently for the inevitable of someone being forced to partner up with me.

"Hey, Ally do you wanna work together?"

I look at Hayden in utter shock, my words are stuck in my throat and I am pretty sure my jaw dropped open, he smirks slightly and his eyes flash with mischief. It's the first flicker of emotion I have seen in them.

"Well, we said we wanted to be friends and this is a good chance to get a good grade and see what friendship for us looks like, kill two birds with one stone."

My words are still stubbornly stuck but I nod vigorously. He has a good point and I would rather spend time with him over one of the idiots that just pick on me and leave me to do all the work. This might also give me the chance to try and find a trace of the boy I once knew or at least find out what happened to him.