"I have an idea!" Owen perked up as he noticed that all of us were beginning to grow bored with his party. Stella and I looked at each other as we wondered what Owen could be thinking of. She shrugged, but worry sparked up inside of me.

Owen was a wild child. He had some of the craziest ideas I'd ever known and was the true daredevil of our class. He had gone to the hospital a record 23 times and we were only twelve.

"Now, I'm gonna need my right hand man for this. So, Jamie, will you join me?" There was a mischievous grin growing on Owen's face. It was changing the whole atmosphere of the room.

"I've decided that since we have some girls here that Jamie must kiss the prettiest girl in the room, but, none of us get to know who it is...but me."

It was silent. Jamie's face was as white as a ghost's and my heart was pounding. Jamie was only the boy whom I had been crushing on for years. Now that he was forced to kiss the prettiest girl in the room, well, I couldn't help but feel sick to my stomach. Owen was playing a cruel game. Every girl in our class liked Jamie, and Owen knew it.

I was afraid that this little game of his was going to expose my feelings for Jamie. I couldn't let that happen because Jamie and I weren't friends. We were well aquatinted, but that's as far as it went. I was terrified of this idea. Not only would it possibly expose me, but it was well out of my comfort zone, too.

After the god of mischief explained the rules and sent the other boys outside, he grabbed five blind-folds and tied them over our eyes. Then his voice rang out and reminded us, "If you're the lucky girl that gets kissed, you can't tell!"

It was quiet, the kind of awkward quiet that was full of tension where nobody wanted to be involved. Palms were sweating and hearts were pumping. I could hear the blood roaring through my ears and thought that my chest was going to burst open from the pain of my heart thumping so hard. I was shaking but then it stopped.

Lips were pressed onto mine for a split second and my mind went blank. My breathing slowed and my heart calmed down. I couldn't hear it and I thought it had stopped.

"Ladies, take your blindfolds off and enjoy the rest of your night!" Owen's sudden burst scared me, but I did as he said and took it off, letting my eyes see the wonderful world again.

But for the rest of that night I didn't talk to Jamie, let alone even glance his way.

Because I, Finnley James McGowan, do not kiss and tell.

I shot up in bed, sweating. The memory had felt so real I thought I was back at Owen's childhood home. It was Monday morning, and after not seeing Jamie for a whole day, I was a nervous wreck.

I didn't want to see him in AP calculus, but I guess I didn't have any control over that.

After the whole seven minutes thing, Monica had discovered me outside. She decided to take me home after that and I went straight to bed. Sunday I spent the whole day doing nothing, just thinking about what had almost happened. What Jamie and I almost did for the second time.

"Finnley? Hurry up!" My mom called from downstairs and I gritted my teeth before throwing the covers off of me.

I headed to the bathroom and brushed my hair out, putting it into a french braid and pulling out some pieces to frame my face. I brushed my teeth and washed my face, feeling refreshed.

I didn't know exactly what to wear so I just threw on a pair of ripped black jeans and a blue shirt, grabbing my gray, over-sized cardigan and rushing down the stairs where my sneakers were.

"Want some breakfast?" My mom asked as she took a bite from her single piece of toast.

"Nah, I'm okay," I replied and rushed out the door, walking to school.

It wasn't that cold this morning, but I still pulled my cardigan around me, crossing my arms over my chest. I wondered if Jamie would even talk to me in class today and honestly hoped he wouldn't.

As West High came into view, I glanced over to a car that just pulled into the lot. I watched as Collins and Jamie got out, Collins giving me a quick wave. I averted my gaze before Jamie could see me and rushed up to the school steps, hoping the students could make me disappear before the two caught up to me.

I quickly made my way over to my locker to find Monica already standing there. Talking to Ginny. I froze and watched as the two of them looked at me. Monica was smiling, Ginny was not.

"Hey! Ginny was just telling me about their new dog they got! Isn't it cute?" She thrusted Ginny's phone in my face, and I had to agree, it was a really cute dog.

"What breed?" I asked and motioned to my locker since she was covering it. Ginny moved, but kept her hard gaze on me.

"She's a goldendoodle, you know, the kind that doesn't shed."

"Oh, cool," I unzipped my backpack and grabbed the books I needed for my morning classes. Ginny and Monica started talking again but I ignored them. I didn't really care for their conversation and I knew the real reason for why Ginny was over here. She was trying to keep an eye on me.

Why? I had no clue. Clearly she saw me as a threat, but nothing was going on between Jamie and I and nothing ever would. It was pretty obvious and I no longer wanted anything to happen.

The warning bell rang, and without saying bye to Monica, I brushed past the both of them. Inwas making my way through the large crowd of students when someone matched my step.

"Hey," I looked up to see Jamie and narrowed my gaze, not giving him a response.

"What?" Jamie looked confused and I rolled my eyes, trying to step away from him but he grabbed my wrist, stopping us in the middle of the hallway.

"Are you mad at me?"

"Yes," I pulled my hand away from him and started for Mrs. Franzelli's classroom, knowing Jamie was trailing behind me.

"Why are you mad?" He kept pestering as we sat down at out desks but I kept my eyes straight on the board, ignoring him. Jamie wasn't worth my time anymore.

"Did I do something?" When he asked that, my blood started to boil. I finally gave in to him with a dead stare.

"You almost kissed me again. That's not okay."

"You never said it wasn't."

"So?" My voice heightened and a few students turned to look at us. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat and waited until they turned back around before I continued.

"So you can't just go around kissing girls that you don't even have feelings for. It's mean and a dick move," I hissed under my breath and Jamie's jaw clenched at that, his brown eyes hardening.

"But I didn't even kiss you!"

"Well you did six years ago and then acted like I didn't exist," I snapped back and flipped my math book open, going back to ignoring him.

"Okay class!" Mrs. Franzelli clapped her hands together, saving me from hearing whatever remark Jamie wanted to say. I quietly thanked her, hoping she wouldn't give him another chance to talk to me again.

"Before we begin, I have a little surprise for you. For the next month and a half, you will be working on a project together. The packet that I hold in my hands has 10 pages of real-world problems that you'll need to solve while using calculus. You'll each get one partner and have until October 15th to finish the whole thing. Each real-world problem is elaborate and complicated, but with the help of a partner, I'm sure you can all receive A's," she smiled at all of us, half of the class groaning.

"I know, I know. It doesn't sound like very fun, but it will be useful in the future. Now, I've already picked out your partners and your names will be on the packet when I hand them out. For today we'll be learning how to solve the first problem and will progress from there," Mrs. Franzelli pointed out and started to hand out the packets. When she got to Jamie and I, she smiled at us.

Oh no I thought as she handed us our packets, Jamie's full name written in bold, red ink next to mine.

No no no no this can't be happening I yelled in my head, staring at his name and blinking, wondering if this was all a dream and it'd disappear. But it never did.

"Well, would you look at that," he gave me a smug grin as he leaned towards me, his eyes never wavering from mine.

"Looks like were partners," he raised his eyebrows and I wanted to pull my hair out in frustration.

"You have got to be kidding me," I scoffed and Jamie just grinned like he'd won the lottery.

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Jamie had asked me to stay for football practice after class so we could discuss our project further. I didn't want to, but I knew we had to. Since the project was lengthened over time and would go along with the syllabus, it meant we didn't have to see each other all the time, just when we had to do a specific part of the project.

But as I ran the calculations through my head, that still left me seeing him every single day in class and twice a week after school. So basically, all the time but for the weekends.

"This sucks," I shut my locker as Monica and I headed for lunch together. "This sucks so bad I could never come to school again and be fine."

"It can't be that bad. Maybe you and Jamie will finally become friends?" Monica suggested and I scowled at her. There was no reality that existed where I wanted to be friends with Jamie Thompson. I could guarantee it.

"Yeah right, he'll probably just end up trying to use me or something. Besides, Ginny would never let him get near another girl," I replied and Monica frowned at that.

"Why do you say that?" She questioned and I wondered if I should tell her about Ginny's threat. I didn't like that Monica and Ginny were suddenly becoming friends, but I also couldn't tell her who she could be friends with.

"Just trust me, okay? They have a thing."

"Since when do they have a thing?"

"Since forever! How have you not noticed that? Jamie flirts with her all the time and Ginny doesn't even let another girl look at him, let alone breathe around him," I clutched the books in my hands, turning the corner with Monica as we entered the cafeteria.

"Well maybe I just don't pay as much attention to Jamie and Ginny as you do. It could all just be in your head," Monica never believed me, she always assumed the best in people, and sometimes it really bothered me.

"I guess...but enough about Jamie, have you spoken to Collins since the party?" I changed the subject, tired of all the drama suddenly surrounding my life.

Monica smiled brightly at that, her whole demeanor changing. "Nonstop!" She sighed and started to ramble off all the things they discussed.

Monica and Collins had barely known each other, but by now, it seemed like the two were closer than I was with her. It hurt a little, but I was happy Monica found a boy that really cared about her. Plus, Collins seemed like a really good guy, and if he did do anything to hurt Monica, he knew he'd be answering to me.

"Is he gonna sit with us at lunch?" I interrupted her and she stopped talking at that, and I could see the hesitation in her eyes.

"Actually...I'm sitting with him," she bit her lip and I leaned my head forward, as if I didn't hear her the first time.

"Wait, what?"

"You could join us!"

"But what about Harry, Oscar, and Yvette? They're our friends too. We can't just leave them," I gestured to our table where Oscar and Harry were telling a story, their faces so animated and ecstatic.

"I know, but Collins just feels more comfortable with Jamie. Besides, you know how Yvette can be," Monica replied meekly and I understood her point, but still. Even if Yvette was a little rude, that didn't give Monica the right to just ditch us.

"You know what? It's fine. Go eat with them," I gave in and Monica looked a little hurt but made her way to their table anyways.

I loved Monica to death, but she'd always been a little flaky. It was true we were best friends, and would always be, but sometimes it just felt like I cared more about our friendship than she did.

This is just not a good day I thought and walked over to my table, ready to explain to everyone why Monica wouldn't be joining us today.

"Really? That's dumb," Harry looked disappointed, so did Oscar. Yvette didn't show much emotion, but then again, she never really did.

"Yeah, so I guess it's just us today," I ate one of my french fries and watched as Jamie sat down across from me.

"And me," he winked, Harry dropping his fork.

"He's not a celebrity," Yvette hissed at him and he blushed, embarrassed.

"What are you doing here?" I glared and he reached over the table, grabbing my apple and taking a big bite out of it.

"Eating lunch, duh," I recoiled as he said that with his mouth full of mashed apple.

"You're disgusting," I jabbed.

"And you're annoying," he swallowed, leaning forward. I could feel the tension rising between us again like it did in the closet, Jamie's lips turning upwards into a small smirk.

"Whatever," I leaned away from him, not caring that my response was both lame and weak. At least I didn't get all flabbergasted about him like I used to. And for that, I was proud.

"You're still coming after school, right?" He asked me and I nodded my head yes, going for another fry, but he snatched up the boat.

"Would you stop?" I grumbled and Jamie's brown eyes danced with amusement, plopping a fry into his mouth.

"Jamie, give me my food back," I ordered, my voice low. Harry, Oscar, and Yvette were all watching us now, and intently, as if this was the most important thing to happen in their lives.

"Not until you promise me that you'll be at practice tonight," I huffed at that, angry that he was bribing me to go to practice with my own lunch food.

"Okay! I promise!" I finally caved and he smiled at that, setting my fries back down.

"See you after school," he stole one more fry and then walked away from our table, leaving Harry, Oscar, and Yvette staring at me in utter silence.

I tried to ignore their stares for as long as I could, but made the mistake of peering over at Oscar.

"Okay, what kind of bullshit was that?" Oscar spoke up in disbelief, his blue eyes wide.

"We're partners in AP calculus. But it's just for a month and a half and we won't even be doing that much together," I advised them, spitting it all out as quickly as I could.

"So why were you so mean?" Yvette pushed and I ran a hand through my hair. I didn't want to get into it with them, not now.

"Mean? What are you talking about? That was full on flirting," Harry objected and flicked his gaze to me.

"You do realize what he was doing, don't you?" Harry was putting me on the spot as my heart began to pound.

Was Jamie really just flirting with me then? It didn't sound like it, nor did it seem like it. But that tension when we leaned into one another, it was the same tension I felt at the party. So...had he really been flirting with me?

"Jamie flirts with everyone," Yvette bursted my bubble and brought me back to the real world. She was right, Jamie did flirt with everyone, but he mainly did it with Ginny.

Ginny I suddenly thought and mentally smacked myself. How the hell was I supposed to stay away from Jamie now that he was my partner? How was I going to do any of this? Even if I asked Mrs. Franzelli to switch partners, she wouldn't let me. She'd force us to work out the problem like adults and move forward. Which, gotta say, that's something I'd have to do in the future anyways.

"I'll catch you guys later," I stood up abruptly and rushed out of the cafeteria, ignoring Oscar calling after me.

This next month and a half was going to be streasful and I had no idea how I was going to get through it.