*October 3rd, 1989

During my free period I decided to go watch Ernest for basketball practice. Thanks to my high marks in my class I was allowed to have one free period during 7th.

I was about to enter the auditorium when I spotted Ernest talking to Stacy of all people. I hid behind the door to listen in to their conversation.

"Why do you have to be so terrible to Octavia? What did she ever do to you?"

He was talking about me?

"Oh I'll tell you what she did to me! She has the highest marks in the class and I'm always left in second. She doesn't let anyone walk over her, despite being something of a complete freak! She is the smartest and I should be the best in everything. She has the one thing I got to have. And since she's not letting up anytime soon, I'm going to make her life a living hell!"

"Stop calling her that!! She is not a freak! Do you have any idea how sick she is?! And how hard it is on her to live with the fact that it can kill her one day, and doesn't need you treating her like absolute garbage!!"

"So she's contagious then. I'm sure hoping to see how much she'll crumble after I tell everyone to avoid any contact with her and how much shit they'll give you when they see you two together."

I swear from where I stood his face turned bright red in rage.

"Do it! I don't care! Anything for you complete asses to see what an amazing and normal person she actually is if any of you EVER GAVE HER THE TIME OF DAY TO SEE WHAT AN TRUE PERSON SHE IS THAN YOU FAKE, PRETENTIOUS, CONDESCENDING, TERRIBLE HUMAN BEINGS!!"

Stacy stood there dumbfounded for a second before breaking out into a loud fit of laughter.

"What's so funny?"

"Oh this is precious! Don't tell me you actually have feelings for that damn bit-"

"YES I DO! SHE IS THE MOST AMAZING PERSON I EVER MET! AND SAY ANYTHING NEGATIVE ABOUT HER EVER AGAIN I WILL MAKE YOU REGRET IT!"

"Oh yeah? What are you going to do?"

"I'm going to..."

She started jamming her finger into his chest and started angrily staring him down.

"I CAN'T HEAR YOU! What. Are. You. Going. To. Do?"

That's it I had enough.

I left my hiding spot and walked over to them feeling a rage bursting inside of me. They turned to my direction in surprise.

"Octavia?"

"Oh look the freak show has come out from whatever hole or whatever sewer she crawled out of-"

I walked over to her and gave her a cold hard slap.

"That. That's what he'll do."

She stood there stunned before making an angry face and nearly tackled me to the ground if Ernest had not stopped her and pushed her aside.

"Just go away Stacy. I regret ever speaking to you. And now that I know how you feel about Octavia stay the fuck away from her!"

"This. Is. Not. Over."

Stacy said as she pointed an accusing finger at me and left the auditorium.

"Octavia! Are you okay? You're not in pain are you?"

"No I'm fine. I can't believe I slapped her. That felt so satisfying."

"Well I'm glad you're alright at least. Oh, what are you doing here by the way? Don't you have class?"

"I have a free period."

"That explains it. Smartest student in class. But why are you here?"

My face flushed as I realized he was teasing me.

"I just wanted to watch you practice."

Ernest laughed before leaning forward and pecking me on the cheek.

"I'm happy you're here."

I smiled up at him blushing even harder before I pecked him on his cheek. It made him laugh before he picked me gently spinning me around.

"You're amazing Octavia!"

"Ahahaha! Ernest put me down!"

He did as I said but still held me after setting me down.

He gave good hugs.

"Octavia, may I take you out on a date Friday night?"

"Yeah I'd love to."