"Flowers do not bloom without a little rain. Everything has its purpose, even pain- Sahar MJ."

"That was lovely, Camille," Ms. Lancaster said. "Now, can you please tell us what you think the author is trying to convey to her readers?"

I stared at her. I was about to have a nervous breakdown, reading out loud was scary enough without a question to follow. "What the author is trying to convey?" I asked. "It's pretty self explanatory, I think."

She didn't lose her smile but she did roll her eyes before she said, "It is pretty self explanatory, but I'd still like to hear your thoughts. What do you think she's trying to say?"

I swallowed a little more than just my nervousness. "Um..." I said looking at the floor. "I think she's saying that even though it's hard right now, something better is coming and maybe the pain you're feeling will make you stronger in the end...or not," I added softly.

"See, that wasn't so hard," she said with a kind smile. "Does anyone have anything to add?"

I sneaked a glance at Caitlyn, she had her hand raised.

"Caitlyn," Ms. Lancaster said gleefully. "Go ahead."

"Well," Caitlyn started with a pointed stare in my direction. "I don't exactly agree with Camille."

I rolled my eyes. Of course she doesn't.

"I mean, I get that the author's saying that everything will work out for the best or whatever," she continued. "But I think that she's also saying that until that happens we should just relax. You know, stop complaining and worrying because it's bound to get better, right?"

I wanted to ask her how she could possibly disagree with me when we had similar points but I bit my tongue and stared at my hands instead.

Ms. Lancaster didn't say anything for a few moments but when she spoke, she thanked Caitlyn for her input and told us that she just had a 'wonderful idea' for our first project. A few kids groaned but she ignored them and continued.

"For your first project, you'll be compiling a book of short poems and after each entry I'd like you to tell me what you think the message of that particular poem is," she said excitedly. "It's a group project and I'll be selecting your partner. But bear in mind that whoever you're paired with will be your designated partner for the rest of the year."

She seemed pretty pleased with herself as she worked at her desk, probably having fun pairing us up. But I had a bad feeling about the whole thing, mostly because I preferred to work alone, that and the fact that she seemed to be having a little too much fun with her list of names.

She got up and walked to the center of the class and began calling our names and selecting our partners. Some kids cheered and some groaned, no doubt unhappy with their new partner. When she got to my name she paused and wrote something on the list in her hand. "Camille..." she said, dragging my name out. "I think I'll place you with Caitlyn."

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. She was joking right?

"No thanks," Caitlyn declared. "I'd rather work alone."

"This isn't a debate," Ms. Lancaster stated. "You'll work together or you'll fail."

I snuck a glance at Caitlyn and she scrunched her face at me with a look of disgust. "I'm not working with her," she snarled.

Ms. Lancaster didn't say anything, she just pursed her lips.

I glared at Caitlyn. She was starting to seriously piss me off. It wasn't like I wanted to work with her either but I didn't make a big deal out of it.

"See me after class," Ms. Lancaster finally said.

The rest of the period was uneventful, and so quiet that you could have heard a pin drop. It was the first time that we had seen Ms. Lancaster angry and I guess no one wanted to join Caitlyn after class.

I slowly made my way to my locker to get my book for my next class. There was someone leaning against it and as I got closer I recognized the figure as Aiden. "Hey," I said.

"Hey." He smiled and moved away so that I could open my locker. "I was hoping that I'd get to be your partner," he said, reaching for my history text.

"Really?" I asked. "I was hoping that I'd get to work alone."

He laughed and I smiled at him. He didn't say anything else as we walked to class. This was the first time that we'd spoken since that afternoon when we bumped into each other and I didn't know what to say either.

When we got to Mr. Archer's class he strode past my usual seat and put my textbook on the desk next to his. I raised my brow and he smiled and beckoned me to him. "What do you think you're doing?" I asked.

"I'm not doing anything," he replied, taking his seat.

I reached for my book and he put his hand on it. "This isn't my desk," I told him with a nervous glance towards the door.

"I know," he replied. "I took the liberty of switching your seat."

I crossed my arms. "Why?"

"Why not?" he shot back with a smile.

I rolled my eyes and took the seat next to his when I saw that someone was already sitting in mine. "Thank you," he whispered as Mr. Archer walked in.

I wanted to ask him what he was thanking me for but if I did, knowing my luck, I'd probably be called out for speaking in class and I didn't want to risk that with Grandpa Grumps watching my every move.

After class we went to the cafeteria and I couldn't help smiling when I saw that Casey was sitting with Madison and Sophie.

"Well, I'll see you around," Aiden said already heading in the opposite direction.

"Yeah, see you," I mumbled to his retreating back.

"I saw that," Casey whispered when I sat next to her.

"Saw what?" I whispered back.

She smiled but didn't reply.

I found myself scanning the room and I involuntarily smiled when I spotted Aiden. He was talking to his friends and I looked away, only to find Casey looking at me with her brow raised. "What?" I asked, reaching into my bag for the sandwiches I'd made for lunch.

"I think you know what."

"How come you're not sitting with the cheerleaders?" I asked, changing the subject.

She gave me a look that said this isn't over but answered anyway. "I missed you guys."

"Aww," Madison cooed. "We kind of missed you too."

"Kind of?" she asked with a laugh.

"Yeah, kind of."

Sophie laughed and shook her head. "A lot," she corrected.

"Why do you always do that?" Madison asked, glaring at her.

"Do what?" Sophie asked innocently as she sipped on her coke.

"Here we go," Casey muttered.

I took a bite of my sandwich and almost choked when I saw Caitlyn coming toward us.

"Hey, Cait," Casey greeted her with a warm smile.

"Hey, mind if I borrow Camille for just a sec?" she asked.

Casey said no at the same time that I said yes.

"Please," Caitlyn said.

"Fine," I muttered, hating being such a sucker for polite phrases. "What do you want?" I asked her, turning a corner in the mostly empty hallway.

"I need your help," she muttered.

I laughed then stopped when I realized that she was being serious. "What for?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"We have no choice but to work together for this project and since I'm going to be stuck with you all year, I need you to call a truce."

"Am I being punked?" I asked, looking around for hidden cameras.

"No, you're not being punked, Camille, I'm serious. I need to pass this class so can you please just... stop," she snapped impatiently, grabbing my arm.

I yanked my arm free and rubbed it. "Don't do that again," I warned her.

"Fine," she conceded. "But I need the fighting to stop, at least while we're at school."

"What are you even talking about?" I asked. "I'm always nice to you and I barely see you at school."

She ignored me and continued. "We have one week to get the project done and what happened this morning in English can't happen again."

"Well, that's up to you," I told her before heading back to the cafeteria.

***

"You're doing it wrong," Logan said for what felt like the thousandth time.

"I'm doing it exactly like you told me to," I defended.

"If you were doing it exactly like I told you to then you'd have gotten it right by now," he said walking towards me.

I rolled my eyes and handed him the baseball bat. We were at the batting cage, 'letting off some steam' as he'd put it. "I'm hungry," I complained gripping my stomach. He laughed and hit an incoming ball. "This isn't helping me," I muttered, walking off the field. I stood on the sidelines and watched him.

I thought about Caitlyn. I hadn't seen her after lunch. Then again, we didn't run into each other often at school, mainly because she was most likely avoiding me. When I'd told Logan what happened he insisted on us doing something 'fun' but so far he was the only one having any fun. I was tired and hungry. I pouted when he looked at me and he laughed again, but this time he put the bat down.

"I'll get you a hot dog," he said coming to stand near me.

"I'm hungry for real food." I sighed. "This is why we aren't friends."

"Of course we're not friends," he replied. "We're more than that."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah, we're like a really small gang."

I laughed and shoved him playfully as we walked toward his car.

"How much trouble are you in for skipping practice?" I asked him as we ate. We were having pizza in the Peach Pit.

"Coach is gonna be pissed." He sighed and devoured his pizza slice. "It's basketball season."

"And you're here with me," I said with a half smile.

He took another slice of pizza. "As the leader of this gang it wouldn't be right if I wasn't."

"I hope that's not what you're planning on telling him."

"Actually no, I'll just say you that had really bad cramps and I took you home."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Why can't you have really bad cramps?"

"Because it's my lie," he replied. "And Carter will have a fit if he finds out that I skipped practice for pizza."

"Skipping practice for pizza is a pretty good reason," I told him, holding up a slice and taking a bite to prove my point.

When I got home, Caitlyn wasn't there but Tori was. Her smile was filled with hope when she saw me but I couldn't smile back so I just nodded. April said that I should just forgive her but I couldn't 'just forgive her', I needed a little more time to be upset. "Honey, I know you're mad at me but you can't just shut me out," she pleaded, following me up the stairs.

"Don't call me honey," I told her. "The only person who's allowed to call me that isn't here anymore."

I heard her sigh and I felt a little guilty but still I didn't turn around. I went into my room and shut the door; the tears fell as soon as it was locked. I brushed them away and opened my bag. I took out my books and proceeded to do my homework, wiping my eyes every time a tear hit the page.

My phone vibrated, I checked it and saw two messages from Casey. I opened them, wiping away more tears. I'm going shopping tomorrow after school, you in?

I scrolled down and read the next one. Just the two of us though, if I have to spend two extra hours alone with Sophie and Madison I may just have to kill them.

I laughed and typed my reply. I'm in but just out of curiosity, where would you hide the bodies?

If I tell you, I might have to kill you too 😉

I felt a little better after that, not about the killing part but she had made me laugh and eventually the tears stopped completely.

I finished my homework and was on my way to the kitchen when I saw Carter going into his room. I followed him and sat on his bed. "Not now, Camille," he said without turning to look at me.

"Is everything okay?" I asked.

"No, everything's not okay and I don't want to talk about it, so just give me a minute.... Please," he added when I didn't respond.

"Okay," I murmured and got up to leave.

"Don't leave," he said, finally turning around. He walked to the other side of the bed and sat. I sat back down too but didn't say anything. I probably wouldn't know what to say anyway, I kind of sucked at giving advice. I always say 'I don't know' way too many times. "Have you eaten?" he asked, breaking the silence at last.

"Not since this afternoon."

"I think mom made spaghetti," he said with a tired smile. He stood and extended his hand to me.

I gave him an equally tired smile and together we trekked down to the kitchen.

For the time being I wasn't sad about my dad or angry with Tori, I was worried about Carter. After dinner he went to his room and stayed there until the next morning.

I guess that he didn't sleep well because by morning his mood hadn't improved much. Even Caitlyn noticed because she sat in the back with me on the way to school the next day. Something was obviously wrong if she was willing to sit next to me, or maybe I was overreacting like I usually did.

Maybe.

Photo: Joey King as Bailee.