The next day, Ryesen opened her locker and found a folded paper. She stared at it for a long moment, before she ignored it and reached over to grab her books. There was no doubt who was it from. Apparently, 'Mr. All smiles and straight forward' didn't get the hint and was still trying. She didn't mention him to Ovia or Jarle and thought it would be over after her clear rejection. How wrong was she? He did mention in his note that he wasn't giving up.

"Um.. excuse me, Ryesen?", a small voice called.

Ryesen was pulled out of her thoughts to the girl looking at her. She recognized her from class. Her short cut black hair that made her face look rounder than it was. She had beautiful almond shaped brown eyes and a cute button nose. Ryesen noticed that she was too shy to talk to her, but always gave her a friendly smile. What was her name? It started with a Z... What did the teacher call her by? Ryesen raked her mind. Those human names are strange. Ryesen went through the short list of people she knew. Zoe! Yes!

"Hey, you're Zoe, right?", Ryesen asked to confirm.

The girl's face lit up as she gave a cheeky grin. Her dark brown eyes sparkled, "Yes! I didn't think you'd know my name".

Ryesen smiled, "It's nice to meet you, Zoe".

Zoe shifted from one foot to another and giggled nervously, "Same here". Then she started twisting the sleeve of her oversize hoodie, "Um... I came to tell you that Mrs. Martin from administration assigned me to show you around. I was supposed to do that yesterday, but I couldn't find you during lunch time".

Ryesen apologized, "I'm sorry about that. I had to skip lunch. Mrs. Martin did tell me that she'll assign someone to show me around but she didn't say who will it be. And yesterday they called me back to collect the rest of me books and P.E uniform".

Zoe shook her head making her short straight hair sway, "No.. It's fine. How about we do that today?".

Ryesen beamed, "That would be great! Thank you!". This girl is so sweet. She thought forming a very positive first impression.

Zoe nodded, "See you later".

A second after she took her seat, Travis walked in all smiles.

"Good morning boys and girls", he said cheerfully. He felt a little disappointed when she looked away the moment she laid eyes on him.

"Hey, Travis", a boy with freckles and a bright red cap yelled in a teasing tone, "How was detention yesterday? Great way to start first day of school".

Travis grinned and looked at the girl who busied herself with her book, "Absolutely worth it". He was on his way to his desk but made a stop in front of hers first, "Good morning".

Ryesen was deciding between acknowledging or ignoring him. If she acknowledged him he might take it the wrong way and thinks she liked him. Ignoring it was.

Her heart jumped in her chest when he crouched and rested his head on his arm on her desk. His blue eyes peering up at her. "What are you doing?", she fumed. She could hear the laughs around them.

He smiled, "Waiting...".

She whispered through clenched teeth, "Everyone is looking at us. Get up!".

"Say, good morning Travis, first", he cooed tilting his head a little.

"No! Get up!". It's official! This one is crazy! With his baby blue eyes blinking at her like she walked out of a dream and that grin that wasn't leaving his face, she had all the confirmation she needed. Completely crazy!

"Not until you say it".

"Everyone to their seats, please", a loud voice echoed.

Ryesen glanced up then back to the head on her desk, "The teacher is here, you better move".

Just as soon as she finished her sentence she heard, "Travis, what exactly are you doing?".

Travis didn't move, "Oh, good morning Ms. Harriet. Nothing much, just waiting".

"Waiting for what exactly?", she asked.

Travis shrugged, "For Ryesen to say good morning back to me".

Ryesen leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at him. She didn't give a damn if it was polite or not.

When she didn't budge, Travis shrugged again, "Don't mind me Ms. Harriet, if you want to start. I can hear you perfectly from here". A few students laughed.

Ms. Harriet rolled her eyes and asked, her voice reeked with patience that Ryesen didn't appreciate, "Ryesen, would you be a dear ans say 'good morning' to Travis so we can begin. I think others would like to get started with class".

The guy with the red cap yelled causing a stir of laughs, "We don't mind!".

Everyone was waiting for her move. Ryesen gritted her teeth. Can't Ms. Harriet grab him by the ear and put him in his seat? She should have elbowed him in the ribs when she got the chance. Ryesen threw her arms in the air and seethed, "Fine! Good morning!".

Travis was still looking at her when his grin widened in victory. He could see clearly that she was pissed. There were noise around him but he couldn't care. He got off her desk but was still crouching. He stretched himself up to meet her at eye level. "Now, was that too hard?". He wasn't waiting for an answer. Only then he went to his desk.

During the second period, a folded paper reached her table while the teacher wasn't looking. This time it read:

So, did you change your mind?

Signed: T.

Her answer was the same. She even added a HELL to her NO! If she was to spend a year with humans, she might as well express herself as one.

She noticed some of the students were curious about what was going on between them. A few eyes followed the paper as it reached her, then followed it back when it was returned to Travis. Apparently her answer has shown on his face because she heard the girls Aww in sympathy. She rolled her eyes.

Ryesen couldn't wait to be anywhere else other than the same class as Travis. She met up with Zoe during lunch break. Zoe had a nervous smile when she hesitantly offered her one of the two small cookie bags she was carrying, "I thought we could have a snack while I showed you around". Then her offering hand jerked away quickly as if the thought just hit her she exclaimed, "Oh, I'm sorry! I should have asked you if you liked cookies or not. You don't have to eat them if you don't want to".

Ryesen was taken by the kind gesture and smiled in appreciation, "That's so thoughtful. I love cookies. Thank you, Zoe". She was still adjusting to humans food that suited her vegetarian diet.

Zoe handed her the bag of chocolate chips and hazelnut cookies, "Those are my favorite", she smiled.

Despite her shyness, Zoe was the pleasant company that Ryesen needed. The more they talked the more Zoe felt comfortable speaking to her. She showed her around the school campus. The labs, gym, library, music room, art room, cafeteria, workshop, even the theater. In short, Zoe was thorough. During their walk around she gave her a short introduction on some of the teachers as well and of course shared some funny stories that happened in their classes too.

"Thank you for showing me around today", she said in appreciation when her tour came to an end, "and for the cookies".

"You're welcome", Zoe smiled hiding back in her shy shell.

They were back in class before the second bell rang. Ryesen found a wrapped sandwich on her desk. She looked around to see whom it might belonged to, but no one was making a move to take it. When her eyes caught Zoe who had the similar sandwich in hand. Then they had a silent conversation. Ryesen shrugged in: Who are those for?

Zoe looked at the sandwich on her desk then at the one on Ryesen's before looking at her with raised eyebrows like she figured it all out. Her mouth forming an 'Ooh'. Zoe smiled a little and then did a small head gesture towards the back of class.

Of course it was him. Who else will it be? She glanced to where he was standing with his back her. He was talking to that guy with the cap. Ryesen rolled her eyes and growled. He doesn't know when to quit, does he?

Even though she was annoyed with how relentless he was, she had to admit, it was sweet of him to get her and Zoe sandwiches. Nonetheless, she shouldn't encourage such behavior. So she turned to the boy who sat on the close by desk.

"What is she doing now, Max?", Travis asked.

Peeking from behind him, Max ran a broadcast of what he was seeing, "She rolled her eyes and I think she gave it to Steve", then he added, "Man, that girl can't stand you. Shouldn't you give up by now?".

Travis grinned, "Not yet".

"She's in her seat", Max informed him then shared his opinion, "Honestly, I don't think you stand a chance".

Travis shrugged, "Shameless begging and constant pursuing must get me somewhere".

"You got the 'suing' and 'somewhere' parts right", Max laughed.

Travis stared at her back and sighed deeply.