A/N: Sorry for not updating in a long, long while. Original reason was I was starting a new fanfic but then after I started that I took a break. I'm starting a new school in a few weeks, and let's just say, I'm really, really nervous. I keep thinking that I will be a total loner. LOL. Anyways, enough of listing excuses and back to the story.

Enjoy

Through The Years

Sophomore Year

Chapter 13: A Second Try

"Summer Hathaway, Michelle Carter looking good," Freddie said as the two girls entered homeroom and took seats in front of one another. Summer had the seat in front Michelle, who was sitting beside Freddie.

"Shut it Jones," Michelle groaned.

"Someone's cheery today," Freddie said.

"She had a run in with Jake Stevens," Summer offered, "Jake met Frankie."

Michelle banged her head on the table and groaned once more.

Freddie looked from Michelle to Summer, "I take it, it didn't go that well."

"You have no idea," Michelle called out, her voice sounded muffled, "I want to kill him."

"Frankie kind of made Jake back off, by playing big brother again," Summer said, "We need to get him a girlfriend or a hobby."

"So what's with the outfits?" Freddie asked.

Both Michelle and Summer were wearing their cheerleading uniforms. He heard a muffled reply from Michelle but turned to Summer for an explanation.

"We have our first pep rally, today. Coach wanted us to all where the uniform all day. Something about strengthening team and school spirit," Summer said.

"By wearing uniforms?"

Summer shrugged before the her mobile phone began to buzz. She looked at the text message that she received.

"Who is that?" Freddie asked.

Michelle's head snapped and Michelle glared at Freddie who seem to cannot stop talking, "Why do you want to know?"

"Stop," Summer said intervening before a fight would start. Their homeroom teacher came in, "And for your question Freddie, you're about to find out."

Mr Andrew was their science ad homeroom teacher. He was currently trying to get all their attention. Freddie looked around not everyone was here.

"Everyone go to the Auditorium, the sophomore class would be having a mass homeroom session and a briefing about the upcoming events in our school," Mr Andrew said.

Michelle mouthed the words 'upcoming events' before tilting her head in question. Summer just shrugged before getting out of her seat and moving out of the room with the rest of the class.

Their school auditorium was quite huge, it could be used to fill the entire student body population and then some. Since it was only the sophomore class and several other teachers, they were situated at the bottom left quarter of the auditorium. Summer saw Zac and Katie wave over to her, Michelle and Freddie some seats away. Michelle however walked to where Holly Daniels and Janice Baker was. Summer turned to Freddie and said apologetically, "Sorry about Michelle, she's kind of anti Frankie right now and your names are almost the same. Help me explain to Zac and Kates." Freddie nodded and Summer gave him one more apologetic look before going to seat where Holly, Janice and Michelle.

"Hey Summs," Holly and Janice greeted as Summer sat between Holly and Michelle.

"Hey girls," Sumer greeted back to Holly and Janice before turning to Michelle, "That was not nice."

"But he would not stop talking," Michelle protested.

"Who won't stop talking?" Janice piped up.

"Freddie Jones," Summer informed them still not taking her eyes of Michelle.

To her surprise she heard giggling from Holly and Janice.

"Freddie Jones? He is hot," Holly giggled.

Both Summer and Michelle looked at each other and then at Holly and Janice. Freddie Jones? Hot? Ewww… Michelle looked as if she wanted to speak her mind about Freddie and Summer was about to stop her when Mr Andrews appeared on stage. "Settle down, settle down ," he said before continuing on, "As you all know, the sophomore batch would be taking part in various activities this school year. In relation to that, the school has decided to do a batch project…."-

Batch project?

"This year the sophomore batch would have the privilege of teaming up in pairs from someone in the same year. The project would account for 30% of your final grade. So it is not to be taken lightly…"

Summer let Mr Andrews drone on and on about the project. It was a little out of character for her but she could not help it. Summer let her eyes roam around the auditorium. She spotted Brittany on her mobile phone, no doubt texting the person just beside her. She saw Jake Stevens trying to pay attention but was distracted by his group of friends, saw that girl she sat beside in English, saw Dylan talking to a couple of his friends.

It seemed like no one was paying attention.

"Any questions?" Mr Andrew asked when he was finally done.

The hall was silent before a voice asked, "Yeah, can I partner up with Summer?"

In an instant, there was laughter. Summer felt herself grow red as she looked away from the person who asked the question. His name was Bryan Adams and he was one of Jake Stevens' friends . She had him for several of her classes and he also liked to think of himself of a player. He was a very likable and funny person.

From beside her Holly giggled, "Looks like Summy here has a new admire."

"Oh shush up," Summer said still unable to keep the red from her face. It was rather flattering.

"Besides, she's got her eyes on a certain Dylan Harper," Michelle joined in, teasing her.

Summer briefly wondered how Dylan would be reacting before shaking her head and focusing on Mr Andrews.

"I'm afraid that partnerships are already assigned Mr Adams," Mr Andrews said to Bryan before turning to everyone else and saying, "I will display you and your partners name on the visualizer. Find your partner and sit beside him and her on this section of the hall and wait for further instructions."

The list came up soon and everyone started looking for their names. Summer hoped that she would be partner up with someone she knew. Michelle, Zac, Freddie, Katie even Holly or Janice. Or maybe even Dylan.

It wasn't long before she spotted her name. It was with amusement she turned to find her partner. Her partner had just finish reading of her name before saying loudly for everyone to hear, "Yes!" Summer watched Bryan Adams make his way to her and bowing down in a mock gentlemanly way saying, "My lady."

It was too much. Summer laughed but otherwise accepted the hand he had been holding on and walked to the other side of the auditorium. Summer could swear she heard a few people laughing at the turn of events.

Bryan was an easy person to talk too. He was already considered one of Sumer's friends. It was not awkward at all, especially since she knew something he didn't. Soon a teacher approached them and gave them their assignment topic before moving on to the various other partners. Bryan and Summer agreed on when to meet up and what exactly to do.

By the time Mr Andrews called for everyone's attention, it was nearing lunch time. Mr Andrews explained some more stressing on the 30% of their grade before dismissing them.

Summer said her goodbyes to Bryan before going off to Michelle.

"So who did you get?" Summer asked.

"Zac," Michelle replied, "It will be easy, what about you Miss partnering up with Bryan Adams?"

"I didn't ask, merely coincidental," Summer shrugged, "But you have to admit it, it was quite funny."

Michelle nodded, "Did you see Dylan's reaction?"

"No, why?"

"I don't know. Maybe he got all jealous or something."

"Yeah right," Summer scoffed before getting a tray.

They were already at the cafeteria, getting their lunch. Summer wished she could sit beside Zac, Katie and Freddie at lunch today but the coach wanted all the cheerleaders to sit together today. Something about team spirit which Summer thought was a poor excuse.

Summer did like hanging with her friends from cheerleading, but sometimes she would rather hang out with her own group of misfits. Well they were not exactly misfits. Zac, Katie, Freddie, Michelle and her little goup was considered strange to the outside world.

Zac was into music more than anything and dressed in dark clothing. Summer could call him an emo or goth but he wasn't. He just preferred to dress like that. Katie was in cross country and hanged around people who were almost just like her in retrospect. Freddie was considered one of the better looking guys in school, it didn't help that he was in football. Michelle was into fashion and Summer was into books even if she was a cheerleader. From a stranger's point of view, it was weird to see them all together but to them it was normal.

Summer paid for her lunch and followed Michelle to the where the cheerleaders sat. There was a lot of talking and gushing. Summer did enjoyed it. Hanging around with friends, talking about nothing and everything.

It was halfway through lunch when something did happen. There was a loud clatter as if someone dropped their tray and then total silence. Summer looked to see a girl around her age on the floor, in full view of everyone, with her food all over her.

Someone started to laugh and more started. The girl must be tortured, having a significant part of the school laugh at her. Summer got up from her seat and walked toward the girl. Silence seem to overwhelm the cafeteria again.

The girl's eyes were wide as if caught in headlights and afraid of what Summer might do. Summer could see her perspective a little. She was a cheerleader and that girl seemed to classify herself as a geek.

Bending down, Summer offered the girl her hand.

The girl looked at her quizzically. Summer could practically see what the girl was thinking. Why was Summer Hathaway, a cheerleader, helping her.

"Here let's get you out of here," Summer said still holding out her hand. The girl took it and walked out of the silent cafeteria alongside Summer.

It was when they were at the bathroom did that girl speak, 'You're Summer Hathaway."

It was not a question. It was a statement.

"Yes," Summer replied.

"Why are you helping me?," the girl asked, " I'm a…"

The girl trailed of and Summer knew what she wanted to say. The girl was going to say something degrading about herself and that made Summer think the girl was a little pathetic but then again so was she last year.

"Everyone needs a little help sometime," Summer responded, "Besides, you reminded me of someone I know."

"Thanks," the girl gave a shy smile before introducing herself, "I'm new here. My name's Allie."

After cleaning Allie's shirt and whatever else, Summer and Allie parted ways. Summer walked away for the restroom to her locker when a voice called out.

"Hey Cheerleader!"

Summer turned around to see Dylan coming toward her and smiled

"Hi Dylan. How's it going?"

"Good," Dylan replied walking alongside Summer to her locker, "That was cool what you did for that girl."

"I guess," Summer shrugged.

"No, it is," Dylan insisted which made Summer smile.

"Thanks."

"No problem," Dylan said as they reached Summer's locker. Summer spun in her combination and unlocked the door, not noticing that Dylan straightened a little. The next few words were unexpected, "So, are you and Bryan you know…"

Dylan trailed off. It shocked Summer that Dylan was thinking that there was anything. Sure she and Bryan had classes together where he would flirt and tease her and about every other girl in the same class but other than that she never really hung out with him.

"What? No, that's…" the idea was just so laughable, "We are just friends."

"Oh. Okay," Dylan said looking a little more pleased.

"Was that the only reason you're here?"

"No actually. I wanted to talk about the night at the cinema."

Summer cringed internally. She had not spoken to Dylan since the cinema incident with Frankie. She could just imagine him saying that thing were not working out and he wanted to date someone with less crazier friends.

"Sorry again for what happened," Summer started to apologise but was cut short by Dylan.

"It's alright, really," Dylan insisted before asking nervously, "So, Summer Hathaway, what do you say to giving our first date a second try?"

Summer stared at him before a smile formed at her lips. The way he phrased it was just too sweet, "Sure, I'd like that."

"Great," Dylan said more happy before walking away while still facing her, "I'll see you around."

"You too."

It felt as if she was skipping to class. She could not wait to tell Michelle who would no doubt be excited for her. It was sort of sad that this class was one of the classes she did not have with Michelle. Summer wanted to tell her now, but nevertheless endured the class. By the end that class, Summer practically bolted to General Science which she had with Zac and Michelle.

Michelle was practically squealing and she and Summer were devising ways to keep Frankie busy during that time. Zac merely smiled and paid no attention, no doubt the aftermath of the cinema incident still somewhat fresh in his head. In the end, he promised to distract Frankie.

Mr Andrews came in a while in later and began the lesson. Summer, however could not pay attention. Maybe it was because it was the last class of the day or maybe she was just too preoccupied with Dylan asking her for a second first date. By the time the bell rang, Summer had already decided to shake her head out of these thoughts. After the pep rally was band rehearsal. Well not exactly rehearsal, the band was coming out with new songs and the past few weeks had been about changing the tune or lyrics or simplifying or complicating the song melody.

She needed to focus.

"Now before you go, those who would like to sign up for the month at sea contest, please sign up over here," Mr Andrew said pointing to a signup sheet.

With that he dismissed the class. Summer cleared her things before going to the signup sheet. She wasn't the only one. Several others were already fighting to write their names.

"You signing up?" Jake Steven asked Summer, Michelle and Zac.

Michelle nodded, "You?"

"Yeah, who knows, you might get lucky, right?" Jake Steven said after he signed his name, "See you at the pep rally."

Summer watched Michelle look on as Jake left. Michelle shook her head and signed up before walking away leaving Summer and Zac.

"We should get them together," Summer spoke out.

"Excused me?" Zac turned his head.

It was then Summer realised that she spoke out loud. She could back paddle but she didn't want to. Instead she became more excited so she spoke out in a rush, "You and me. We should get Jake and Michelle together."

"And how do you suppose that would happen?" Zac asked with one of his eyebrows raised. He did not look like he objected to that plan but also did not want to interfere."

"I have some ideas," Summer said before relaying everything towards Zac.

Done.