Ash slammed the alarm clock exactly at 6:00 a.m. Usually it would take thirty minutes before he was ready to get out of bed, but today was different. Today, he was sitting next to May in English. He didn't know that she even existed until yesterday, but he was so taken by her that he couldn't even put it into words. The best he could do was something between that nervous feeling you get when you have to preform on stage and hoping not to sound stupid during an interview. Ash's early start was put to good use. He made sure that he showered a bit longer than usual making sure to get every spot that she might notice. She knew his name so maybe she watched him closer than one would expect. That prospect particularly pleased Ash, but he didn't want to become overconfident. Excessive pride brought down one of his favorite tragic heroes, and although the results wouldn't be so dramatic or extreme, he didn't want to set himself up for a fall. But as in all things, he would try his best despite what the odds might be. He considered grabbing his comb and fixing his hair, but decided that that was just a part of him that she would have to accept. He walked downstairs and ate breakfast quietly. His mother was hurrying to get ready for work. She didn't notice that her son was in deep thought until there was only a minute left to go.

"Ash, hurry up and finish. We're going to be late."

Ash didn't seem to hear her. She snapped her fingers in front of his face making him drop his spoon.

"Oh sorry, Mom."

"Something on your mind, dear?"

"Nothing really."

"Well, let's get to the car or we're both going to be late."

Ash agreed and moved outside. His mind was still scattered between nervousness, fantasy, and contentment. He didn't fully understand why he felt the way he did, but he didn't even bother. No use in losing even more focus by splitting his attention for yet another thing. Ash arrived at school on time with a few minutes to spare as usual. After he finished gathering his books, he was stopped in the hall by a friend from his childhood. He stood a bit taller than Ash. He had brown hair and eyes and a warm smile. The two had been in strict competition since they could speak. His grandfather was a professor at a prestigious university, something that he had prided himself in.

"Ash, we can't be late to class."

"Oh, morning, Gary."

"You look kinda dazed there. You know you can't keep up with me unless you stay focused."

"I know. It's just. Have you ever....?"

"-Ash we've got to go, the bell's about to ring."

Ash obeyed and followed his friend into the classroom. Luckily, the bell had spared them by about a minute or two. Ash took his seat and was immediately disappointed that May was nowhere to be found.

At the last minute, in came May rushing to her seat just as the bell was ringing.

"Cutting it a bit close there Ms. Maple."

"Sorry, sir. I guess I took too long in the shower."

"Moderation, Ms. Maple which is something that is obviously lacking in our beloved play Oedipus Rex as well as in The Great Gatsby."

The instructor masterfully parlayed May's scolding into a start for the day's lesson. She smiled at Ash and greeted him, "Morning, Ash."

"Good morning, May," he replied returning her warm smile.

"Now, even though these two texts are thousands of years apart. What similarities do they have?"

May raised her hand immediately to answer.

"In the end, both of the main characters or protagonists take somewhat of a fall from grace. Gatsby unable to realize the dream that he had for a life with Daisy, and Oedipus unable to handle what fate has made him become. Both men are broken by the truth."

"Very good, May. Brains and beauty."

"You got that right," Ash mumbled under his breath.

"What was that Mr. Ketchum?"

"I said, um, 'She's got that right.' That parallel is exactly what I was thinking."

"Ah, yes. Genius is to be admired. Now, let us draw another parallel between the two using the idea of moderation, which as I said in reference to Ms. Maple's morning ritual, is lacking. More so in the works than Ms. Maple's private life," Mr. Coben said with a wink.

Ash was amazed at how well she knew her literature. Even more so that he hadn't realized that she was there until second semester. When class was over, Ash sheepishly inquired what class May would be attending next.

"Calculus, and you?"

"Same. Wow, I didn't know we had two classes together. I'm a bit embarrassed that I hadn't noticed that all last semester."

"I just transferred this semester. Don't worry. You're still as much of a genius as you thought you were."

"I never said I thought I was."

"I was just teasing. I only meant that it wasn't because you were dense or anything, but at least you noticed me this semester," she said as she almost skipped into Calculus.

Calculus wasn't Ash's favorite class to say the least. He did well enough to pass with a 4.0 in the class, but he didn't enjoy it as much as he did his other classes. It was required that he take one math class a year, so it couldn't be helped. Ash had just made the cut between Calculus and Pre Calculus, and it seems that May had too; however, she didn't barely make it. She was clearly at the top. All of the symbols, derivations, and equations seemed as simple as doodling on the board for her. Ash wasn't seated next to her in this class because there were a few people between K and M here. At least Ash could watch without looking too creepy. He caught up with her after class again to ask where she was headed.

"AP Physics. You?"

"AP U.S. History."

"Aw. That's a shame. Well, I'll see you in Latin and Spanish."

She walked off quickly to get to the science lab. Ash did vaguely remember seeing May in his two language classes. He was in too much of a daze yesterday to have fully noticed. Plus they sat on opposite ends of the rooms.

Ash ate lunch distractedly and was only awakened from his trance-like state by the bell at the end of lunch.

"Eamus, amice," said Gary.

Gary chose to take Latin for his second elective as well. Not only because his best friend was taking it, but a recent interest of his had signed up for that language too.

"So, the Great Gary Oak hasn't make his move yet?"

"Ash, Hikari isn't someone that you can just walk up to and start something with just like that."

"Alright. So when are you going to do that?"

"In time. I just have to find a way to make an impression."

"Well you can't do that unless she knows you exist. I suggest saying 'hi'."

"Real funny, Ash. But I've got all semester."

"Who knows if you'll have any classes next year? And don't you want to go to junior prom with her? Tempus fugit."

"Scio, scio."

The teacher finished her review of the fourth and fifth Latin declensions and then dismissed class. Gary followed after a girl with long dark hair. She shot him a smile and proceeded to walk next to him to her next class.

Ash was getting his books together when a smooth voice greeted him, "Salve, Ash."

"Salve, May."

"We'd better switch language gears since we're going to Spanish now."

"Bueno. Vámonos," said Ash in comical accent.

May giggled and followed him to their last class of the day. They started class off with a review of the irregular tú commands. The teacher wrote them on the board and recited them with the class.

"Pon, ten, ven, sal, haz, di, ve, sé. That last one meaning?"

Ash shot up his hand. "Be."

"Not to be confused with what, Señor Ketchum?"

"Yo sé. I know."

"Yes, you do! Very good. Now class since we've all spent so much time without the subjunctive, I thought it would be best to bring back an old friend. Take out a sheet of paper and write down these sentences that I dictate in English. Translate them into Spanish and decided whether or not they require the subjunctive."

Ash finished first. He saw that May was avidly scribbling on her paper and finished just a few seconds after he did.

"Srta. Maple, please tell us why the first sentence does not require the subjunctive."

"I do not deny that this class is fun. This denotes certainty and therefore requires the indicative."

"Excellente."

The lesson continued on. Ash didn't answer a single question. He was too busy studying May. So she's good at literature and languages. What isn't she good at?

Ash congratulated her after class for her preformance.

"That was really well done, May."

"Thanks. I had a little outside experience."
"Really? Like what?"

Just as Ash had made his inquiry, he noticed that a young man had gotten close behind May and had taken out a pocket knife.

Ash blurted, "I don't think so, buddy."

Not permitting him to proceed any closer, Ash took him by surprise and struck his face, and twisted the hand which held the knife, just as he had been taught in self defense classes. Soon, faculty members restrained him and a call was made to the police.

"May did you know this guy?"

"No, but I know why he was after me."

"What?"

"Will you walk me home? There's something I need to tell you."