I had another bad dream that night. A dream similar to the one I had in Megan's classroom except my dad had been there this time. He had remained silent while mom yelled at me, as if he was deaf. As if he didn't care. Maybe he didn't.

Blair said I had woken up panting. That I had jolted awake which then woke her. I didn't know exactly what was provoking the dreams but I just knew it was a bad sign.

So I went home late that Sunday with high hopes to miss Shawn and Megan. I wasn't in the mood for an interrogation about what my weekend consisted of and I wasn't ready to be approached by either one of them about the incident in Megan's class. Of course, that's if Megan had even told Shawn about what happened. I prayed she hadn't.

I walked in to the aroma of someone cooking in the kitchen. It smelt delicious, and if I knew anything about Shawn it was that he couldn't cook. It had to be Megan.

Shawn was sitting at the counter while she stirred something on the stove. As soon as I emerged in the kitchen both of their gazes fell onto me.

"Wow," Shawn spoke. "You're alive."

Barely. "Yeah," I answered, forcing a laugh.

Megan watched me without saying a thing. The look in her eyes let me know she hadn't forgotten about the other day.

"So what, you're plotting to move in with Blair or something?" Shawn continued.

My eyes met Megan's before I answered. "Could I?"

Shawn frowned.

"I'm just kidding." Not really.

"Have you eaten?" Megan asked. I felt the need to run in the opposite direction.

"I haven't."

"I'm making chicken parmesan," she claimed. "Shawn told me it was your favorite."

Oh really? Why the hell had they been talking about me in the first place?

I looked at Shawn. "Really?"

He shrugged. "She asked."

Okay, what was really going on? One second Megan was bitching me out on my birthday and the next she was fixing my favorite meal? Was she guilty of something? Or was she pitying me? Just thinking about the latter made me want to vomit. I certainly didn't need her pity.

"Excuse me," I stated, escaping to my room.

Did Shawn know about the dreams? If he did he wouldn't bring it up in front of Megan because he knew how personal that was to me. But he hadn't looked at me with worried eyes like Megan had. And he didn't seem to know why she was cooking my favorite meal. He didn't know. Which meant Megan hadn't told him.

But Megan liked getting personal, and I knew it was only a matter of time before she asked me about it.

So I avoided her. Or at least avoided being alone with her. It was the only way I could insure that she wouldn't be able to corner and ask me about it. I knew she would try because she was Megan, but if I erased the opportunity it wouldn't happen.

So I behaved in her class to make sure she didn't have a reason to keep me after. I didn't join her in the mornings either and waited till she left to make my coffee. After a week of that she seemed to have forgotten, and I labeled it as a personal victory.

But it seemed that when I dodged one problem, another always emerged from the shadows.

* * *

"Homecoming is in two weeks and I still haven't even found a dress. Oh my God... I need to make a hair appointment. And I still have to paint the banners for the pep rally-"

"Blair," I intercepted. "Calm down."

"Calm down?" she answered. "Do you know who I am?"

"Unfortunately."

Blair was my polar opposite when it came to school. She was a straight-A, honors kid that involved herself in as many school functions as she could handle. She was liked by the majority, and didn't seem to mind the high school scene as much as I did.

She liked high school, and I refused to hold that against her, but when big events like homecoming rolled around... Well, she tends to get a little ahead of herself.

"Why did I agree to do this my senior year?" she complained.

"Because you're a control freak and you love it."

She didn't hear me.

"I should talk to Emma, see if she has anything else she needs me to do," she thought aloud.

"Don't you think you're doing enough?"

"I'm doing more than enough." She sighed. "Besides, why am I even helping her? She probably has it under control. She's the class president for a reason."

"You're still bitter about losing to her."

"She beat me by five votes, Sam. I'm still convinced it was rigged."

"I don't remember who I voted for," I joked.

She gave me a hard punch.

"Ouch." I rubbed my arm. "I'm just kidding."

"I don't believe it."

Even though I wasn't the one to involve myself in school functions, Blair always found a way around that. She would either blackmail me into coming with her or drag me there kicking and screaming. Today was one of those days.

Since all of the senior class committee was free after fourth period, they were getting together to prepare for homecoming week. Blair was vice president, which apparently made me the vice, vice president in her head because she was forcing me to join her.

"You don't need me for this," I complained.

"What else do you have to do?" she asked.

"Nap, eat, avoid this place at all cost... Anything really."

"If you'd stop being a scrooge for a minute you could think of someone to ask to the dance."

"I don't do dances, Blair."

"Oh c'mon! You skipped last year. You have to come to this one! You're a senior, dammit!"

"Okay, throwing a tantrum won't convince me."

"Wanna bet?"

I rolled my eyes. "And what makes you think anyone would wanna go to homecoming with me?"

"Sam, there are plenty of girls that would love to go with you. I blame it on poor judgment, but I hear the talk."

"Bad judgement? For wanting me?"

"Yes for wanting you. You're a walking disaster."

"But I'm fun," I finished, wiggling my brows. "Where is this meeting anyway?"

"Emma convinced our physics teacher to let us use the lab room."

Blair knocked before letting us inside, familiar faces turned their attention to us.

"I brought an extra set of hands," she announced. "Figured we could use all the help we can get."

Emma, who sat in the middle of everyone else, eyed me. I knew Emma just as much as the rest of the normal school population. Also an overachiever, softball player, and one of the prettiest in our class in my opinion.

The meeting proceeded while I picked my fingers in boredom. They talked about the spirit days and activities which would take place all next week, leading up to the football game that Friday night, then the dance Saturday. They discussed homecoming king and queen nominations and the ballads for voting. Then they discussed the after party, which was the only part of the conversation I tuned in on.

"Eric agreed to host the after party. His brothers are buying the alcohol. I'll text everyone his address so you can spread the invitations," Emma finished as she looked down into her notebook. "I believe that's everything."

"Should we work on the banners for the float today?" Blair asked.

Emma looked at me before answering. "Tomorrow."

Then the committee was dismissed but Blair lingered around to talk to Emma. I figured there were other things they needed to talk about together without everyone else here. I gave them a few minutes of privacy.

"Alright, we're going to the store," Blair claimed.

"What?" I asked.

"We need to get supplies for tomorrow."

"You comin' or what?" Emma crossed her arms and smirked.

I tilted my head. "Fine."

It's not like I was gonna tell her no.

I didn't want to go, but I decided to look at the positive. Emma was attractive. She didn't seem like most girls here at Baldwin, which made her more attractive. And she seemed to like me enough to invite me along.

When we made it to the store Blair and I parted from Emma to get the job done quicker. She was also one for not wasting time. I liked that too.

"So you really want me to come to homecoming?" I asked Blair.

"Yes. Did I not express that enough earlier?"

"Okay, well what do you think of me asking Emma?"

She stopped walking. "I think you've lost your mind."

"Why?"

"She's a bit too much, even for you. And I'm pretty sure she doesn't do girls."

"It's just a dance. I'm not asking her to be my girlfriend," I said.

We continued to throw things into our basket while Blair contemplated my idea. Maybe she was right about Emma being a little too much. But out of my league...? Well, I just saw that as a challenge.

"Well, you're going to homecoming whether you have a date or not," Blair stated. "I'm not letting you bail this year."

"Fine, but I'm not wearing a dress."

"You don't have to."

I sighed. "So are we going shopping this weekend?"

"How about tomorrow?

I groaned in response. Blair took this as a yes.

We met Emma back at checkout where we hoped to have everything we needed. That was until Blair realized we were missing tape.

"I'll be right back," she mumbled, leaving me alone with Emma.

I took this as my chance to get to know her. "I don't know how you and Blair do this."

She seemed to take it as a compliment. Bingo.

"I don't either. But it's worth it when everyone has a memorable homecoming," she beamed.

"Well thanks," I continued. "It takes a special kind of person to do it."

Okay, maybe I was sucking up a little, but at this point I didn't care.

She laughed. "Okay, what's your motive, Sam?"

"I'm not sure I know what you mean," I teased, giving her a smirk.

"No offense, but you're not exactly known for having a ton of school spirit. So I'm a bit curious as to why you showed up today."

Hmm, she was onto me.

"Blair said you needed help and I volunteered," I lied

She crossed her arms and gave me a "oh really?" look.

I laughed. "I'm serious."

She was still unconvinced. "Right."

I broke. "Alright, Blair forced me to come."

She laughed and nodded. "I know you better than I thought."

I leaned on the front of the basket, bringing us closer. "Oh really?"

I could feel a pull. A chemistry that was rare between me and someone of my younger. But before we could exchange anymore words Blair rejoined us.

"Alright, got the tape," she interrupted. "What did I miss?"

Emma glanced at me and smiled. "I actually convinced Sam to join us for the rest of the week."

Blair looked at me. "Really?"

Emma lied. "Really."

Wait, what? I looked between Blair, who already seemed to know the truth, and Emma as I attempted to read the situation. Was this Emma's way of coming on to me too? Or was she just messing around?

I went along with it. "Yeah, figured I couldn't say no to the president."

Blair narrowed her eyes. "Don't expect much from her," she relayed to Emma.

Blair stepped away from us and began loading the bags. I moved closer to Emma and tilted my head. "What was that all about?"

"I have to get you in the spirit somehow."

Oh she was flirting. Hard. Blair had to be wrong about the "no girls" thing because I felt like Emma was playing right along with my game.

"You'll need a miracle," I teased.

"We'll see."

She looked up and smiled, a cocky expression on her face.

"I guess we will."

Okay, maybe homecoming wouldn't be that bad after all.

* * *

The next few afternoons I fulfilled the unspoken promise to help the senior committee with preparation for next week. We mostly organized and made posters since Emma decided it was best to save working on the float till Friday. I didn't mind because making posters took little to no effort on my part and I got to talk with her one on one.

Blair and I also went shopping for outfits, and by the end of the trip my homecoming attire consisted of a pair of black, fitted slacks, a black vest and a dark grey button up. I never attended these types of things, so dressing up for it was unfamiliar. And I wanted to rebel against Blair's insistent behavior on me attending, so I settled for something more comfortable than a dress. Not that I had anything against wearing one. I just knew I could get away without it.

By Friday afternoon the school buzzed with excitement for the weekend. The anticipation for homecoming week was growing and I could feel the change in the atmosphere.

"So have you asked Emma to the dance yet?" Blair questioned while she walked with me to Megan's classroom.

"I'm planning on it today," I answered.

"Cuttin' it close don't you think?"

"The dance isn't till next Saturday."

"Not everyone is last minute like you, Sam."

I rolled my eyes. "You're killin' my vibe."

We made it to the hallway where I saw Megan outside her classroom. I had been distracted all week and hadn't really paid much attention in class. I silently wondered if she had noticed. Knowing her, she probably had and it was only a matter of time till she cornered me. I prayed for it not to be today.

"So, I'll see you after this?" Blair asked.

"Sure thing."

I went to walk into Megan's classroom only to have her stop me. "Sam, I need you to stay after."

I turned to face her. "Why?"

"Because I'm asking politely."

"I don't get a reason?"

"Stop asking questions or I'll make it a detention," she ordered.

I rolled my eyes. "Fine."

Great. The day of all days she could pull this was also the day I wanted to ask Emma to homecoming. I swore sometimes Megan was conspiring to make my life as annoying as possible.

So I sat with my arms crossed upon my chest the entire time. Her lecture was boring and once again I found myself paying more attention to her than the information she was rambling off. Even though she was annoying sometimes, she was still hot and way too fun to look at.

But why did she want me to stay after class? Did this mean she was tired of me avoiding her? Did this mean she was about to question me about the other day in class when I freaked out? Oh no. That couldn't happen. I couldn't let her corner me. Not after successfully dodging her for so long.

The bell rang and students filed out of the room. I packed my bag even though I had to stay because I wanted everything in order just in case I had to run.

"Take your book back out," she ordered.

"Megan, what's this about? I have somewhere to be."

"I'm giving you extra credit," she answered. "Because you're failing and we haven't even had our first test yet."

I was shocked. "I'm failing?"

"Yes. Now get your book out."

"How am I failing?"

"You don't do the assignments, you don't do the homework, and you fail the quizzes..." She paused. "You see where I'm going with this?"

Okay she was right. "Yeah, but I was just distracted this week. I was helping Blair with-"

"Sam," she interrupted. "Just get your book out."

I hesitated before slapping my book back onto the desk she had pulled next to her own. She slipped me a packet of fill-in-the-blank questions that looked way too thick to be extra credit. Jesus, this looked like a test.

"This is extra credit?" I groaned.

She ignored my question. "Just finish the packet. You have fifty-five minutes."

She had to be kidding, right? I mean there was at least fifty questions on here. And why was she even going out of her way to help me?

I decided that if I wanted to get to Emma as soon as possible I needed to get it over with, so I picked up my pen and got to work. It was easier than expected because if I had learned anything in school it was how to use a book's index. The answers were right there in the book all this time?

"So what have you been helping Blair with?" she asked.

"Uh, she's on the senior committee and they organize all the student events. I was going help them work on the homecoming float today, but instead I'm here," I snapped, giving her the evil eye.

"You'll thank me later." She wrote something on a piece of paper. "I didn't pin you as the school spirited kind."

"Probably cause I'm not."

"Then why are you so worried about joining them?"

I thought about Emma. Megan didn't know much about me, so I wondered how to go about this. Then again, she was a grown woman and could handle the blunt truth.

"I wanna ask the president of the committee to homecoming," I confessed.

"Oh really." I heard the smile in her voice. "What's their name?"

"Emma Lewis."

She didn't react the way I had expected. She just nodded and continued marking her papers. After my birthday night at Jinx I figured she wasn't all that comfortable with it. Usually people were surprised, or disgusted if you included my mom, but never did they act normal. No one except Megan, or course.

"Well, if you finish that packet you can go," she finished.

"You...?" I paused, which finally got her to look up at me. "You did hear me say Emma Lewis?"

"I heard you." She shrugged. "Why? Is she like, the most popular girl here or something?"

I shook my head, realizing Megan didn't care. She knew and didn't give a single care in the world. I found it fascinating. Intriguing even.

"N-No reason," I stuttered.

She set her pen down and folded her arms on her desk. "You expected me to react to the fact that you like girls?"

"Yeah I did," I answered.

She just smiled before continuing what she was doing, as if this conversation never happened. I found this frustrating. Why didn't she care? Was she brought up in a home that didn't discriminate? Was she into girls herself? Oh, now that would be the cherry on top.

"The last two answers are on page one-eighty," she mumbled.

I flipped and saw them, finishing the packet.

I stood. "How many points?"

"Twenty," she answered, urging me to keep the papers. "It's also the study guide I'll be giving out Monday."

Wait. Did this mean...?

"You'll have an extra few days to study," she finished.

I stared at her. A double whammy surprise had stumped me. Why was she doing this? I wanted to stay and ask but I knew I had somewhere else to be.

I just stood there and nodded. "Thanks..."

"Just don't fail my test."

"No promises. You're giving a test during homecoming week."

"Is that against the rules?"

"It's practically illegal."

She frowned. "Weren't you in a rush?"

I found myself smiling. "See you at home."

Then she grinned. "Unfortunately."

That's when I left and headed to the football field where Blair and Emma would be waiting. But as I walked all I could think about was Megan. I found that I had more questions that were left unanswered. Personal questions about her that I wished to know the answers to.

The wall she had built between us was driving me crazy and I hadn't noticed until now. She seemed to know more about me than I knew about her, and it was bothersome.

I ditched my backpack in my car before I spotted them working. The guys were patching up a few boards while the girls repainted from fading over time. In all honesty they didn't seem to need me, but I wouldn't ditch Emma. Plus, I had a question to ask her.

But Blair spotted me first. "It's about time! Here." She shoved a paint brush into my chest. "Emma needs help on the letters."

"Good to see you too," I responded before she disappeared.

I walked around the float and spotted her. Her long dirty-blonde hair was in a pony-tail that swung around her neck when she turned and spotted me.

"Oh hey," she sighed. "I thought you had changed your mind about today."

I stepped closer. "Nah, I just got held up in history."

She looked back at me. "History?"

Oh great. Now she was going to think I was an idiot because I had to retake a history class. Then again, why did I care what she thought about me?

"Uh yeah, I failed it last year," I answered. "But Miss Adams asked me to stay after for..." I trailed off. I couldn't confess the special treatment. "Because I'm failing. Again. And she wanted to warn me."

But Emma didn't react. Just like Megan hadn't. Why was everything ass-backwards today?

"Sam, if you ever need help, like study tips or whatever, I'm willing to help you. I passed that class with a hundred."

I began to help her paint. "I bet you pass every class with a hundred."

"Maybe," she smiled. "But I'm serious. All you have to do is ask."

Our gazes met as our shoulders touched. Was this a good moment? I dropped my brush and faced her.

"I actually do have a question," I said. "But it's not about studying."

This time she reacted. A tiny hint of red showed on her cheeks, as if she already knew my question. She was blinking more which meant she was nervous. Was I really about to ask Emma Lewis to homecoming?

"So Blair's forcing me to attend the dance and I really hate those kinds of things... But I wouldn't hate it half as much if you came as my date."

The words just flowed, like they usually did, but usually I didn't care about the answer. Rejection never bothered me unless it was Blair or my family, but standing here waiting for Emma to answer made me nervous. I knew I didn't want to hear a no. I honestly wanted nothing more than a yes.

But she dropped her eyes and her shoulders slumped, which answered my question.

"I'm sorry," I said before she could say anything.

She shook her head. "Sam why didn't you ask me sooner?"

What? Had I heard her correctly?

"W-What do you...?" I stuttered for the second time in one day.

"Jeremy asked me yesterday," she answered. "But I..." then she stopped. What was she going to say?

"Just tell him you changed your mind," I joked. "I'm way more fun anyway."

She laughed. "I hate you so much right now." Then she resumed painting.

"No you don't," I teased.

She ignored me but continued to glance over every now and then. I wanted her to ditch him. I wanted her to go with me.

"Ditch him."

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"But you don't even wanna go with him!"

She smirked. "And what makes you think that?"

"Because you're mad that I didn't ask you sooner," I answered. "You kinda gave it away."

She just stared at me before taking a few steps closer. I felt the adrenaline soar through my veins. Then she poked me in the forehead with her paintbrush, the coldness shocking me.

"I am mad at you," she laughed while inspecting the paint on my face.

"I can't believe you did that."

"Believe it."

I took my own paintbrush and got her back, a blue streak stretched right across her cheek. Her mouth hung open as she moved in for another go. We laughed as I grabbed her hands, making sure that paintbrush didn't get anywhere near me.

"Two wrongs don't make a right Sam!" she joked.

"They do in my book."

I pressed her back against the float, careful to avoid the wet paint. Big brown eyes seemed to melt at the closeness of our bodies.

This wasn't normal of me. Usually I wasn't a romantic. Usually girls knew the deal when it came to me. So why was it different with Emma?

"You two look very productive."

I jumped away from Emma and locked eyes with Blair, who had crossed arms and a smirk on her face.

"Blair that wasn't funny," I stated.

"Sorry for interrupting...whatever that was...but we have a situation."

"What?" Emma asked.

"One of the guys pierced a tire with a loose nail and uh... well, we have a flat but no spare."

"Shit." Emma placed her hands on her hips and thought. "I'll have to get someone to patch it because the school won't pay for a new tire." She faced me. "I'll see you later?"

More like see me Monday morning.

I nodded. "Sure."

Blair walked closer to me as Emma disappeared before asking. "So, what'd she say?"

"Jeremy asked her yesterday and she's already said yes."

"Bummer," she paused. "Wait. Are you saying she considered being your date?"

"She definitely considered it."

Blair nodded with a confused expression. "Wow."

"What are you wow-ing?" I huffed. "The fact that Emma Lewis considered going to homecoming with me?"

"Yes. I mean, I just didn't think she was into that."

"Guess you were wrong."

Blair poked my chest. "Shut up, cause you're still coming with or without a date."

I rolled my eyes. "I know, Blair."

"Woah, are you really upset?"

I shrugged it off as I set the paint brush down. "No, just not used to being rejected."

"But you had expectations! Sam, do you like Emma?"

Like Emma? Ha! That wasn't what this was. I just liked the chase. The anticipation.

"What? No. She's just not like other girls," I defended.

Blair walked with me to my car in silence, as if she was pondering the idea of me having feelings for someone. Now if I actually did form feelings for Emma that would be a miracle.

"Actually, you don't have to answer that. I already know the truth," Blair stated.

"Oh do you?" I asked.

"Yep."

"And what's the truth?"

"You do like her."

"Your evidence?"

"You, Sam Carson, helped the senior committee all week strictly because Emma asked you to. I had to drag you here Monday and I'm your best friend."

"Yeah well, that's not hard enough evidence," I countered.

"And you're leaving now that she's gone," she continued, which began to annoy me.

"I'm leaving because it's hot."

"Sure. Keep lying to yourself."

"Happily." I rolled my eyes. "See you later?"

"Duh," she agreed before turning around. "I'll call you."

And as much as I hated to admit it, Blair was right and there wasn't much I could do about it.