I searched the cafeteria for Eli and Claire. Eli was sitting at a bench with his elbow on the table holding a half eaten apple, while the other hand was occupied by the small of Claire's back. They were giving each other goo goo eyes. Claire caught my sight and gave me a warm smile. Eli waved me over. I sat opposite of them and watched the two lovebirds in disgust.

"Do you two ever get tired of each other?" I declared as I sat down.

"No." they said almost synchronically.

I stuck my tongue out at them with a 'you guys are sickening' face.

"Hey Adam, I have see you every day, and you don't see me complaining." Eli retorted.

"Touché"

I looked down at the tray in front of me. Greasy chicken nuggets and mashed potatoes, ugh. It looked about as appetizing as the moldy burger I had yesterday. That's one thing schools really needed to work on. They wonder why kids are so unhealthy with the crap they serve us.

"So what are your plans today?" Claire directed at me.

"Read comic books, pretend to listen in class, try not to get jumped by Dumb and Dumber."

"Fitz and Owen still picking on you?" Claire gave me a concerned look.

"What else is new?" I spat.

"They'll find someone else to fuck with next week. People like that are the scum of the earth." Eli said with disgust in his voice.

"…Yeah."

As much as I'd like to believe Fitz and Owen would leave me alone, I seriously doubted it. I was their shiny new toy to play with. Degrassi had never had a "freak" like me, and Fitz and Owen were definitely swimming in my torture. Eli could hint the uncertainty of my voice.

"Hey man how about we go to my place after school tomorrow and play some video games? I got Black Ops last weekend."

I had to give Eli props for being such a good friend. He always tried to cheer me up.

"Yeah, man… that actually sounds nice. Anything to get away from school and my house."

"Well then it's a date." Eli gave me an overly dramatic wink.

"Aww aren't you two boyfriends so cute." Claire humorously interrupted.

"I love you Claire, but you can't stop me from being with my boy toy." Eli said in a stereotypical gay voice as he jumped on me, giving me a noogie.

At this we all laughed.

"Well, I guess after school…" I was cut off abruptly.

My heart suddenly raced as I saw my girl walk into the cafeteria. Hah, I can't believe I just called her 'my girl'. You wish Adam. Yesterday was the first day I had seen this girl. She was beyond beautiful. She had flowing brown hair and deep blue eyes, but what was even more unique to me than the proud eyes she held high, was the pain she held behind them. I couldn't explain it to you, but she carried this depth to her. Like she'd seen more than most, like she understood more than most. It was this characteristic about her that drew me so infatuated towards her. Every time I saw her I got the butterflies. Now here she was nearly twenty feet away from where I sat, and I was already breathless.

Eli followed my glance again. He saw the girl I was looking at and immediately knew what was up.

"Would you like a bib for that drool my friend?" He teased.

"Huh?" I said kind of alarmed, my mind still half in its own world.

"What's her name?" Claire asked plainly.

"Wha? Who's?" I asked confused on who it was Claire was referring to.

"I may not be a boy, but I know when a boy see's something he likes. So what's her name?" She tried again.

Wow, was it really that obvious that I was into this girl? I mean yeah, I would look at her when she passed by my view, but I didn't realize I was staring like a fool. Now I felt even more foolish when I realized I didn't even know this girls name.

"Uhmm…" I paused awkwardly unsure of how to respond.

"Wait, so you don't even know her name?" Claire said in disbelief.

"The body wants what the eyes can see." Eli smirked.

I shook my head at Eli. "It's not even like that." I said. "I don't know how to explain it, but there's just something about her, there's more than just an outer beauty to her. I know it doesn't make much sense but I just know it."

"Well then stop beating around the bush man, and just talk to her already."

It sounded easier than it was. I was not one to be labeled a "ladies man". I'd never even kissed a girl before, but what Eli said made sense. It was dumb for me to sit here fantasizing about some girl I wanted but couldn't even muster up the courage to talk to. It was childish, pathetic. I realized if I really wanted this girl, I was going to have to do it.

"Well, maybe I will." I stated quite confidently—way more confidently than I felt.