Chapter 8

After a month in school, Abby felt she was finally starting to fit in. She was doing well in all of her classes and had a small group of friends that she knew she could count on. And most importantly, she had Connor. Connor had been her best friend since day one, and each day their friendship grew stronger each day. They were constantly together and she'd often spend most of the afternoon at his house, Jack had even started going there afterschool. Things were going great.

Abby and the rest of her friends sat in the auditorium, waiting for the senior meeting Lester had called to start.

"What do you think this is going to be about?" Connor asked Abby as other students filed into the rows.

"Nothing good, I'm sure." Danny volunteered from Abby's other side. "Probably just a friendly announcement that the graduation requirements have changed and we have to stay in school for another year."

"That wouldn't be so bad." Sarah said, thoughtfully on Danny's right side. "I'm having fun so far this year, why would another be so bad?" Danny just sighed.

Abby had realized after two weeks of knowing the pair that they were dating, but she still didn't know why they kept it a secret. She'd tried to ask Becker, but he didn't seem to know they were dating. He said Danny had always told them they were just friends. Abby figured guys didn't notice things like that, but she definitely saw the way they looked at each other, Abby knew they were dating.

"I agree with Danny," Becker added, putting in his input from Connor's left side, "definitely nothing good." Abby just shook her head.

"You guys are being ridiculous," she said with a tone of exasperation, "I'm sure it's nothing to worry about. Look, Lester is getting ready to say something now."

Abby watched as the head boy, James Lester, took the microphone at the front of the stage.

"Now I just want to start off this meeting by asking everyone to please refrain from groaning during my announcement." At this, Danny, Connor, and Becker let out a simultaneous groan.

"Ya see?" Danny said, looking at Abby, "That almost certainly means this announcement is going to suck."

"I'm sure you'll live." Sarah said in a mocking tone of reassurance. She patted Danny on the hand and Abby saw her hand linger on his for a moment longer than normal. How do Becker and Connor not notice this stuff? She asked herself incredulously. She looked at Lester who had begun to speak again.

"So, with that in mind, this year our class will be required to complete a senior project as one of the requirements to graduate." As Lester finished his sentence, the entire room groaned. Lester sighed.

"I'm sure there was a reason I began by saying I didn't want to hear any groaning, but for the life of me, I can't remember what it was. Now, as I was saying, the senior projects will be due sometime in March. You will be working in groups of two to four and researching the education systems of foreign countries. There will be several different points and issues that you and your group will need to research and discuss. Your teachers will have the rubrics and guidelines, you are all dismissed." Abby and the rest of her friends got up to leave with the rest of the students.

"The way I see it," Danny began, "Now we've got another problem, aside from the whole, senior project thing."

"What do you mean?" Connor asked, looking at him as they walked back to their classes.

"Well, the groups can be up to four people, right. But there are five of us; someone is going to have to back out."

Becker, who'd barely participated in the conversation, spoke up suddenly.

"I'll go work with someone else," He volunteered immediately. Abby looked at him in surprise, he was almost always with Danny, but Danny just grinned.

"Hoping to get in Jess' group, mate?" He asked with a smirk. Becker reddened instantly.

"Maybe," he shot back defensively, "Or maybe I just want to work with someone smarter than you Danny. I'd hate to have to read every word to you that are bigger than seven letters."

Danny looked shocked at Becker's outburst. "Alright mate," he said calmingly, "I didn't mean anything by it, just making a joke. You can work with whoever you want, I'm sorry."

Becker calmed down at Danny's apology. "I'm sorry Danny; I just got a little worked up, is all. I'm going to go ask Jess if she wants to work together."

As Becker walked off, Danny shook his head.

"That boy has fallen for her bad." He said, watching Becker walk off.

"Aww," Abby teased, "upset that someone has taken your boyfriend away." As Danny was preparing a biting retort, an Irish voice interrupted their conversation.

"Excuse me," a boy said, walking up to the foursome, "My name's Matt Anderson and this is my girlfriend, Emily. We were wondering if any of you wanted to join our group. Emily's new here this year and she wanted the chance to work with someone other than the idiots I hang out with."

As Danny opened his mouth to tell them they were full, Abby cut him off.

"We'll work with you," she volunteered, "I'm Abby and this is Connor. The four of us can work together." She looked over at Danny's look of shock and the slight hurt in Sarah's eyes. "This way, you two can work together." She looked at Sarah, willing her to understand her motive, "Without anyone else." Recognition dawned in her eyes while Danny still looked confused and Connor seemed lost.

"Ok," Sarah said with a small grin. "We'll work together and you four will work together, that's perfect. C'mon Danny, let's let them talk." With that, Sarah led Danny away before he could make a fool of himself.

Connor shot Abby a quizzical look before turning to their new teammates.

"What country do you want to do?" He asked.

"Ireland" Matt replied instantly. "I grew up there and went to school there for years."

Connor grinned. "That's a bit like cheating, I like it. Team Ireland it is." He looked at Abby smiling, "Can we have cool team nicknames." Abby just sighed while Matt and Emily looked like they regretted their choice.

XXXXX

Danny looked at Sarah with confusion as they headed back to their history class.

"What was going on down there?" He asked angrily, "Why'd you let Abby split up the group like that?"

Sarah just sighed, "Because Danny," she said placatingly, "Abby knows there is something between us and she wanted to let us work together."

Danny still wasn't getting it. "How does Abby know anything and why would that mean we can't work with everyone else?"

"Just think about it Danny. If it's just you and me, we can work on it alone, somewhere private." She looked at the understanding on his face. He gave her one of the smirks that she loved so much.

"Oh, so we can study, alone." He grinned at her like a child who's been told they could have the whole cake.

"Yeah, study," she said, looking at him with a smile, "among other things."

XXXXX

The bell was about to ring, signaling the end of the day and Cutter and Stephen were sitting with Jenny and Lester, talking about their project. At Cutter's suggestion, they'd teamed up with the other two, but Stephen knew Cutter really just wanted to spend more time with Jenny. He still couldn't figure out what was going on with Cutter. He didn't know if he was attracted to Jenny, or just trying to be a good friend. Jenny was even harder to read, Stephen had no idea how she felt about Cutter at all, she kept her emotions hidden well.

As the others were talking, Stephen felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He pulled it out to see a message from Helen. He looked over at Cutter, but he was too busy talking with Jenny to notice the look of guilt that had crossed Stephen's face. He opened the message.

I want you to work with me on this project. Stephen shook his head. No one could say Helen wasn't direct.

I can't, I'm with Cutter he sent back. The phone vibrated almost immediately after he sent the text.

I was with Cutter once, but you didn't seem to mind then. Leave him and work with me.

Why? Why would I do that? Why do you even want to work with me? Stephen responded. Again, the response was almost immediate.

Because I miss talking to you, just like I miss talking to Cutter. It's that simple. Stephen scoffed, it never was with Helen.

No he responded finally. The response came back quickly.

Work with me or I will tell Cutter what we did. Stephen tried to keep his face calm. He didn't think Helen would tell Cutter, but then again, she was insane, he could never be entirely sure what Helen would do. He gave a small sigh of resignation.

Fine, you win. I'll meet you afterschool to talk about it. As he sent the text, the bell rang and people began getting up. Stephen stopped Cutter before he left.

"Hey, um I don't think I'll be able to work with you guys after all, sorry." Cutter looked at him with confusion, but Stephen rushed off before he could ask why. With a bitter taste in his mouth, Stephen went to find Helen.

XXXXX

After school, Becker walked Jess home as usual. They had fallen into an easy rhythm by now, she would talk about her day and Becker would just listen and make the occasional input. Today, however, Becker had something on his mind. As he listened to Jess talk, he debated, as he had all day, the best way to ease into the conversation. Luckily, Jess did it for him.

"So, I'm still trying to find someone to work on this project with." She said casually. "Most of my friends already have full groups and you're working with Danny and the rest of your friends."

Becker saw his opening and took it. "I'm not working with Danny or anyone yet. I was wondering if you wanted to work together." Becker watched Jess' face carefully for any sign of rejection, but to his surprise her whole face brightened at the concept.

"Yeah, that'd be great. I can't wait. I'll see you tomorrow." She said as she walked off happily to her apartment. Becker grinned in spite of himself. Danny would never let him hear the end of it if he knew how happy Becker was right now.