God, why had Tommy done that? He had been asking for trouble.

Somewhere in the back of Jim's head he thought, You did the right thing back there, Jim.


The bell rang at 3:00 PM. It was a Friday.

What am I going to tell her? She's going to think I'm lame and stupid and countless other synonyms for lame and stupid. And weird. And annoying. And careless.

Tom was debating what to tell Charlotte. His dad had told him to forget about the plans to go to the Smoothie Shack with her today. Ha! How could he ever forget something as exciting as this? He really liked Charlotte. He didn't know the reason why. Maybe it was because of her beautiful hair that, when the light caught it, looked the color of the chestnuts that fall from the trees in the park at winter. Maybe it was the way her soft turquoise eyes felt like they were looking right into his soul as she looked at him. Maybe it was because of her laugh, like a bell that filled his ears and made him warm inside.

Or maybe it was because of her, and her personality as a whole. An honest, humble, sweet person. That was the reason. That, and all of the above.


Tom waiting patiently outside her 6th period classroom. She always got out late; her teacher liked to keep them extra time. He leaned against the back of the lockers and looked at his watch. Maybe, if I just run now, I can hide in a hole and never come out and that will solve it.

The door opened and students came flooding out, complaining about the last class. Then he saw her. Charlotte grinned when she noticed he was waiting for her.

"Hey, you. You didn't have to wait, we'll see each other this afternoon. I know how long my teacher kept us all," she rolled her eyes, playfully. Her smile was infectious; Tom couldn't help himself. He smiled too.

His grin faltered when he realized what he actually waited to say. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. He was like a fish, just silently gaping at Charlotte.

"What?" she asked him, looking down to see if something was wrong with her. "What is it?"

"...Well, you, uh, see..." Tom started. "I, um, actually came her to, uh...well, to tell you something." He was wringing his sweaty palms together, hoping she wouldn't notice.

She looked up, concerned. "What? What is it? Tom, whatever it is, you can tell me."

"I, um, I can't--" Tom started.

"Charlotte!" A girl with blonde hair, about the same height as Charlotte walked over, confidently.

"Um, hey Madeline," Charlotte said, glancing at her and then Tom.

"Hey, yourself. Where have you been? The soccer team started tryouts fifteen minutes ago! Weren't you going to try out?" Madeline said, with an air of exasperation.

"Oh no! Gosh, Tom. I'm so sorry, I have to go! Hold that thought until tonight though! I'll see you at five? Okay! Bye!" And without waiting for an answer, she sprinted away with Madeline leaving a very hurt and very frustrated Tom standing in the hallway.


AN: I know, short chapter again. I have the next chapter written, so maybe I'll put it up today, too. Read and review.