That night as she prepared for sleep, Irma was internally and externally at peace. Her best friend was coming home soon, the potentially worse night of her life was made wonderful by her other best friend, and she had finished all her homework. Now all to worry about was getting some sleep. Down below in the sewers, Raph was light on his feet. His cares were virtually invisible and he floated to bed just as his friend above ground. They both retreated to their warm beds, as visions engulfed their minds in the night.

Irma found herself in the school library, her favorite place to spend time other than her room. She was sitting in between two bookcases with Lord of the Flies resting in her lap. She had on a royal blue dress, matching earrings, a brown leather jacket, polka dot tights, and boots. She consciously couldn't remember why she was there, but her hands kept turning the pages of a book she'd read six times before. Just as she was getting to the part with the pig sacrifice, a figure appeared at the beginning of the bookcase. Irma was surprised but soon relaxed at the sight of the stranger. It was a boy about her age with short dark brown hair and an immaculate jawline. As he leaned against the bookcase, his leather jacket winced and so did Irma. She couldn't deny this guy was attractive, but what did he want? He made his way over to her and crouched beside her with one arm resting on a shelf.

"How are you," he asked with a distinct accent that Irma could not pinpoint.

"Great actually. Who are you exactly?"

He laughed and replied, "Your newest client." His eyes were brown with a hint of electric green.

"I beg your pardon?"

"My bad. Name's Josh. Josh Astin."

"Irma Langinstein."

"I know. That's why I came to you."

"I'm not following."

"You're the smartest girl in school."

"Thank you."

"No problem." He sat down next to her. "You see, I'm struggling in almost everything and I can't be kicked off the football team halfway through the season. So is it possible you can help me?"

"Uh sure. What are your current grades?"

"81, 83, 82, and 84."

Irma paused and looked at the boy. His smile reminded her of a puppy and a friend of she couldn't name.

"Um, Josh those aren't that bad."

"I know but I want them to be better."

"Okay but I seriously doubt low eighties are going to get you kicked off the team."

"I just want to be the best I can be. Please say you'll do it."

His puppy dog face morphed into a begging puppy dog face. He was cute and dedicated. She had to help him.

"Alright."

"Yes! You're the best. Can we start today?"

"Uh sure. How about we start this afternoon?"

"Great. We don't have practice today so I'm going to work out for thirty minutes after school. Meet me outside the weight room at 3:35 and I'll walk you to my house."

"Cool see you then."

Josh had stood up and was helping her up.

"Thank you so much," he hugged her and disappeared behind a bookcase. Irma lost balance and slammed into the bookshelf. She looked at the clock and saw that it was 2:55. She couldn't wait.

Josh emerged from the weight room promptly at 3:35. He was sweaty in a soaked white t-shirt and navy sweatpants. "As if he couldn't get hotter," Irma thought as he caught sight of her and they walked home together. Once there, Irma met Josh's three brothers: Logan, the oldest, Andrew, the brains, and Evan, the wild child.

"So what would that make you?"

"Well I hate to brag but," he flexed his biceps and motioned for her to grab it, "the muscle."

"The package deal family. I like it."

They all laughed as Josh and Irma retreated to his room to study.

"Before we start, can I ask you one question?"

"Sure, shoot."

"If your brother is so intelligent, why didn't you ask him to help you?"

Josh laughed and replied, "Andy may be smart, but I'd sooner punch him in the face than learn a simple trig problem from him. He's arrogant."

They laughed and began to study. They continued this routine for what seemed like months. Soon came the day of finals and the football championship. Irma saw Josh for the last time before the tests and the game that morning. He met her at her locker with flowers.

"For me," she asked.

"Who else?"

"Thank you. Feeling confident?"

"Sort of."

"You're going to do great."

"Hopefully."

She pushed his shoulder as he laughed.

"Surely," she said.

"Thank you again."

"No problem."

"Are you coming to the game tonight?"

"Not sure."

"It would mean a lot if you came."

"Do I get VIP treatment?"

"I can arrange that," he laughed.

"Then yes."

The warning bell rang and they parted ways, both smiling.

That night Irma sat with Josh's family in padded seats and heated blankets. He played wonderfully and brought the team to victory.

"This is so great," Irma exclaimed as she and the brothers went down to the field to congratulate their player.

"Two victories in one day, Josh is on a roll," Evan shouted.

"Wait, you mean he passed?"

"Excelled actually," Andrew corrected.

"Where is he?!"

They found Josh back near the goal post talking with some coaches. Irma screamed his name and he turned around just in time to catch her as her arms landed around his neck. He held his helmet in one hand and Irma's waist in the other.

"I'm so proud of you."

"I couldn't have done it without you."

"You're amazing."

"You're beautiful."

Irma let it sink in, but not before blurting out, "I love you Raph."

Josh smiled and Irma realized what she had said.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to call yo-"

Josh placed his finger to her lips as she stopped talking. He then grabbed her by the chin gently and said, "You got me Champ."

"But I thought th-"

Before she could finish her sentence, he was kissing her. Everyone celebrating had disappeared and they were the only two left on the field. To her, it felt so real; full of passion and wanting. He pulled away first and when she opened her eyes, his were completely green. Like someone's she knew all too well.