Sorry it took so long to post this chapter. I had real bad writers block, and I still kind of do. I have a basic idea of things I want to happen in this series, but I would absolutely LOVE it if you guys would leave suggestions of where I could go in the next few chapters! Thank you, I hope you like this chapter, and as always, let me know what you think!

Walking into the house, I made the quick decision to simply go straight to my room. I was still trying to comprehend the events that had happened during 7th period, and I was in no mood to try and socialize with anyone. After shutting the door to my room, I plopped down onto the bed and started my homework. After about an hour, I felt my phone buzz beside me, I picked it up and unlocked it. The message was from an unknown number:

Hey Jude. It's Connor Stevens. Just wanted to let you know that I got your number from coach and he wanted me to let you know that I'd be joining the tennis team. I'm relying on you to help me get situated, Captain (;

I sat there on my bed, stunned. That whole text just took an interesting turn, and I have no idea how to respond. Do I just ignore that comment? The WINK? HE WINKED AT ME! Jude…just chill…It was a winking emoticon, that hardly means anything…right?… Calmly, my thumbs sail across the glass as I type out a response.

Hey Connor. So, I guess we'll just start by having you play some practice matches, that way we can assess where you are, so then we can have an idea where to put you in the team bracket for when we decide who plays what line for districts.

Sweet, thanks. See ya tomorrow, and also, still waiting for help on my forehand (;

Ok. This is not happening. Plugging my phone in to charge, I lay in my bed trying to sift through my thoughts and find a way to understand how I am feeling, but sleeps takes me over before I can come up with something.

Waking up the next morning, I glance at my clock. Stretching, and feeling refreshed, I rub my eyes to eliminate the haze. 6:30. Ok…. WAIT WHAT! HOW IS IT 6:30?! Realizing that I had not set my alarm last night, I jump out of bed, almost in a manner that you'd see in a cartoon. After showering, I have to skip breakfast in order to even stay on my schedule. It's 7:10 and I'm pulling into my parking spot. At least I made it on time, I think to myself, trying to remain calm. Taking the key out of the ignition I rest my forearms on the steering wheel. Glaring at the silver Mustang logo, I rest my head on my folded hands. Ok, Jude. Today is just another day. This Connor guy isn't important enough to simply throw your entire life off schedule. Especially after just one day. After my feeble attempt at a pep talk, I snatch up my backpack and swing one of the straps around my right shoulder.

Making my way into Statistics, I sit in my desk and smile at Taylor who is sitting next to me. The bell rings and we begin working on the warm up when the door to the room opens. In strolls Connor Stevens. Walking up to Mr. Powell's desk, Connor hands him his schedule and starts scanning the room when his eyes land on me. He nods in my direction and I smile back at him. Lowering my head, I glance down at my paper then at Taylor. Seriously. Can I not catch a break? Being brought back to reality, Connor asks,

"Hey Jude, is this seat taken?"

"No, go for it." I respond making sure not to make eye contact with him.

The rest of class doesn't go too well. I find myself staring blankly at the back of Connor's head the whole time, simply lost in my thoughts. I've never been so confused about something in my whole life. I just don't get it. I've never felt this strange. What is going on with me? I bump into this random kid and all of a sudden I'm as giddy as Mariana when she's around Isabella. It doesn't make sense. Just as class is about to end, Mr. Powell clears his throat.

"Ok class, I know it's only the second day of school, but we are going to be starting a project!"

Groaning begins resonating throughout the classroom.

"It will be due at the end of this grading period, and I want it to cover one of the topics we will be studying in the first 6 chapters of the textbook. This project will be done in pairs—"

Taylor glances over at me and dishes out a fist pump, I can only help but chuckle.

"—but before y'all get too excited, I have already assigned you all to partners."

Taylor's smile slips off her face and is replaced with a scowl and a jaw clench. Mr. Powell begins to read off the names of our partners. Taylor ended up getting paired with a boy she has a crush on, so I have a feeling that she isn't too upset with how things turned out.

"Ok, Jude, you will be working with—" flipping to the next page of his legal pad, Mr. Powell speaks, "Connor Stevens."

Turning around, Connor says "Hey, this will be fun!"

"For sure!" I echo, trying not to sound too enthusiastic. Secretly, I guess I was happy I ended up partnered with Connor. This would definitely give me a chance to examine as to why he throws me off so much.

The rest of the day went by without any problems, and I found myself walking to tennis with Taylor before I knew it. We gave our usual spiel to the team and soon got to work. Since I'd played my practice match yesterday, I assigned those who hadn't played one, and then spent the rest of the time brainstorming ideas with coach. Leaving the locker room, I walked towards court 1 to see who was playing. It was Connor and another kid, Robert. Climbing onto the bleachers, I place my elbows on my knees and cup my face in my hands. Watching Connor play was like watching an Olympic ice skater. He played seemingly effortlessly and had great skill. The rally I'd starting watching was intense. Each boy returning one shot after another until Connor took advantage of a short ball and smashed it into a corner cross-court. Robert scrambled to get it back, but his racquet only making the ball fly into the air. Running up to the net, Connor stops to prepare for an overhead. Then it happened. Connor turns his head in my direction, and we make eye contact. Grinning, Connor turns his head back to the ball and backs up, letting the ball bounce. Swinging through the ball, Connor hits a perfect forehand winner to the opposite side of Robert. Walking back to the baseline, Connor turns his head towards me again, flashing me a smile whilst winking.

My eyes widen and my mouth opens, letting out a scoffing huff of air. You've got to be kidding me. Getting up from my place on the bleachers, I walk over to my backpack and being working on my Statistics homework. After practice, Connor walks over to me.

"Hey, so do you think we should get started on this project sometime soon?" He questions.

"Yeah, how about we get together this weekend, we can do it at my house." I answer.

"Cool, that works for me."

"Hey, Stevens," Coach approached Connor and places a hand on his shoulder, "nice swinging volley. I have a feeling you're going to be a great addition to this team. Jude, I want you to take this kid under your wing, and get to know him. I could see you boys being a great doubles team." And with that remark, he proceeds to leave the courts.

Beaming, Connor turns towards me,

"Yeah, Jude. We will for sure have to work on getting acquainted. And maybe we could learn a thing or two from each other. And I have just the idea. We can start with that swinging volley. You're familiar with that shot, right?" Laughing all too sarcastically, Connor turns and walks away. And with that, Connor Stevens, for the second time, has left me absolutely flabbergasted.