Today was supposed to be a normal day for Todd, as he walked through the busy hallways. Another ordinary day of school with boring classes, extra-curricular clubs, ordinary lunches, and more normal stuff. As Todd reached his locker and began grabbing his books, the intercom came on and the principal's voice was heard.

"Attention students! If you plan on going to the Homecoming Dance after the Game, please remember to pay the fee for your ticket, which is 15 dollars each. If you were to bring another student from another school to homecoming with you, you will have to pay an additional 5 dollars. Remember the Dance is in 3 more weeks. The money due is in 1 more week as we need to prepare everything for the dance. Remember to stay safe and have fun! That's all for now."

Once the intercom turned off, the students started buzzing around with excitement. Many were excited to go to the Homecoming Dance. Students left and right were already planning on who they were going to take to the dance. A few students already have signs ready for their "homecoming proposal" that is expected to happen in the lunchroom or the courtyard. Unlike everyone in the entire school, Todd was stressed out about the homecoming dance. Especially involving two people from his past.

You see even after his Wayside days were over, he still saw most of his classmates from Wayside. He's still friends with Dana, since they have the same classes together, except for language as Dana takes Spanish and Todd takes French. She got over her obsession with rules, but is still an active rule follower and is student body president. You'd think Myron would be at their school trying his best to be student body president. However, he entered another highschool because he missed out on 2 points on the entry exam. They may see him again during the homecoming game since their school is against Myron's.

'He probably hasn't changed a bit, I'd be surprised if he changed just a tiny bit…' Todd thought exasperated.

He still hangs out with Stephen and Joe from time to time, mostly in P.E. classes. However, he is typically seen with his new friends Mac and Nancy. They met in 9th grade in History class and had got along ever since. Nancy and Mac have been dating for a long time, and Todd knows that they are going to the homecoming dance together. Mac asked if Todd was going to the Homecoming dance, but Todd said, "it's complicated…".

The Homecoming Dance seemed nice but he didn't know if he wanted to go. He was not going to go if Maurecia was going to corner him and force him to go with her. Maurecia still had a crush on him, and he still didn't reciprocate her feelings, even after all these years. Maurecia held back on the punches as they grew older, but she was still aggressive when it came to showing her love for him. He was lucky that his parents told him not to go to the dance since they said to get used to the school first before going to their dances. However, Maurecia was going to ask him to the Dance this time and he didn't know what to do.

Todd entered his first period class and placed his head on his desk as he groaned. He wanted to go but how could he go if Maurecia kept trying to force him into something he didn't want. He does feel guilty thinking this way but, he can't help it. Especially when he has a crush on-

"Brother T? Are you feeling' okay today? Are you tired or sick?"

Todd looked up from his desk and felt heat flush from his cheeks. He saw it was Jenny, who took the seat next to him. Jenny was still the wild motorcyclist that she was, but she didn't wear her motorcycle helmet like she used to. She still drove her motorcycle to school everyday and she mellowed down a bit on her extreme side. Todd didn't know when this crush started and didn't know all, this is the girl who jumped over him with his bike. Which caused him to think that she had a crush on him just like Maurecia. However, it wasn't the case in the end but he still got injured in the process.

All he knew was that he started noticing more details about Jenny that he didn't even know. Like how her favorite subject was Biology, she's planning on being either a traveller or a mechanical engineer, and more. Maybe he had an attraction to wild girls? Maurecia is a wild girl but she is rather aggressive, while Jenny isn't and wouldn't willingly hurt someone. Todd didn't know.

"Hey Jenny" Todd replied back

"What's wrong? You look gloomier than usual."

"Yea, just some personal stuff…"

Todd sighed as he placed his head down on the desk again. Jenny gave him a small smile and patted his shoulder.

"Don't worry, Todd. I'm sure it will get better sooner than ya know it." Jenny reassured him

Todd looked up and smiled, "Thanks Jenny, I really appreciate that."

They were both silent for a moment until Jenny asked, "Do you want to talk about it? Ya don't have to if you don't wanna…"

Todd thought for a moment and said, "I guess it will make me feel better if I told you. You promise you won't tell?"

Jenny nodded, "I promise."

Todd took a deep breath and said, "It's the Homecoming Dance. I don't know if I want to go."

"The Homecoming Dance? That's what got you so glum?" Jenny was confused. "You should go to the homecoming dance. You didn't go last year, and you'd miss out on the fun. This is your first homecoming dance and you should take the chance."

Todd scratched his head, "I don't know, Jenny. Usually, you'd take a date to a homecoming dance. I would go with my friends but since they're dating, I don't wanna ruin the mood."

"Oh I see. You'd get bored if you went alone." Jenny thought for a moment and then told him, "Why don't you just ask someone to go with you? Come on, I'm sure there are a couple of girls just waiting to be asked out by a guy like you!"

Todd blushed at Jenny's comment. He wouldn't say that he was very attractive but he'd say that he had a bit of a glow up. His hair got a bit longer, with a darker shade of orange. He got taller, around 6'2. His face lost the baby fat so his face got a bit prominent. However, Jenny made it seem like he was the most attractive person in school. He heard it many times from Maurecia but, somehow Jenny saying it was...special?

Todd smiled and replied, "I don't think so. But, I'm glad you think that way Jenny. It's really sweet of you. Though, the only person who would really want me to go with them is Maurecia."

Jenny smiled back, "No problem, Todd. But, what's wrong with Maurecia? I know she had a crush on you for a long time now but why?"

Todd sighed, "Because, she's so aggressive when she tries to ask me out. I like her, she's a really nice person. But, she's only a friend to me. Like a sister, an aggressive sister. Who won't take no for an answer."

"I guess I can see why you wouldn't like her. She can get aggressive but she just has problems showing her emotions without letting go of that tough side of her. She means well, and maybe she will understand." Jenny replied.

"Do you hang out with her often Jenny?" Todd asked.

"I do, but not as often as I used to. She's often with her new friend Joy. I mostly hang out with Dana, Leslie, and sometimes Bebe. Though, I'd like to hang out with you and friends more, if ya want."

"I don't mind at all. The more the merrier right?"

They both stared at each other before Todd looked away and asked," Jenny, do you plan on going to the dance?"

"Yeah, I plan to. But I probably won't go on as someone's date." Jenny said, "I don't mind though. I enjoy the dance anyways so I don't really need a date."

"Why wouldn't someone ask you out? You're caring, fun, wild, and very pretty. You ride a motorcycle, you live life to the fullest. Why wouldn't anyone want you as their date?" Todd said.

Jenny giggled at Todd's statement, "Aww that's so sweet of you, Todd!"

They continued to talk for a few more minutes until the bell rang and their first teacher arrived. Almost everyone was in class, except for one more girl. Ms. Alister was about to begin the role call, until a loud open door slam was heard.

"SORRY I'm late Ms. Alister! I got called to help a teacher with some boxes." Maurecia said as she walked in the classroom, handing the teacher a pass on her absences. Ms. Alister nodded and gave her a warning as she walked to her seat.

Maurecia walked past Todd and winked at him, Todd looked away. 'I don't like her like that at all.' he thought to himself as he tried to focus on his classwork. This was going to be one of the longest 3 weeks ever...