"Rowena, you can't just go around calling ladies grimy old hags."

"I can and I'll do it how many times I think it's necessary. I didn't like the way she was looking at you Cyrus. She was probably a racist old goon who's still stuck in her ways of the fifties."

"And I appreciate you, you know I do. But you do realize that you're more bothered about this than I am?"

"I guess," I grumbled after a moment of contemplation.

We had left early before school to stop by a donut shop. There she was, sitting in her little corner with her glare glued on the back of Cyrus's head. He was ordering for us, so he didn't see her when I did.

I knew exactly what that look meant. She was judging him for the color of his skin. And maybe Cyrus wouldn't throw hands with an old person or a lady, but I most certainly would.

"Row she was so old, lonely, and falling apart anyway. Let her shrivel up in peace."

"Okayyy," I whined, "Okay. I'll drop it as long as you're not bothered."

That was the thing about Cyrus. He was a loyal friend and wouldn't hesitate to back me up when I needed him and he had no trouble defending himself either. But he was also respectful as hell when it came to ladies and old people.

So, he didn't allow crusty raisin lady from the donut shop to faze him. Good for him, but I was ready to throw hands until he dragged me out of the shop.

"Here, have a donut hole, it'll make you feel better." He held out the bag for me and I took it as we entered the school doors.

"Man, we should do this more often," I said, popping a second donut hole into my mouth.

"We would if you actually learned how to wake up on time." I rolled my eyes as I passed him the bag and we walked to our lockers to get our things for class.

"So, have you guys been thinking about senior prank plans?" Adam said appearing suddenly behind us.

"You guys do that at this school?" I asked in awe. This was a chance for me to act up without being singularly blamed for it.

"Yeah, you didn't at your old school?"

"Our last senior prank happened in 2017," Cyrus said.

"Technically it wasn't the senior prank," I interjected, grabbing the bag of donuts back and splitting the last one with Adam.

"Right, it was one kid frustrated with one teacher, so he put laxative in Mr. Field's coffee creamer, not knowing he shared that creamer with like... half of the staff."

"Yeah, and the dumbass did it during senior prank season and got the tradition banned."

"So, we steer clear of laxatives. Got it," Adam said with a reassuring grin and stuck a thumb in the air before taking a bite of his donut.

"Do I want to know what conversation I just walked into?" Declan said, joining our small huddle by my locker.

"Just sharing ideas for a senior prank," Adam filled him in.

"Easy," Declan shrugged. "We fill Mrs. Hymann's car with eggshells and empty glue bottles in all of her drawers."

This was the teacher that Declan was always complaining about. She singled him out every time things went wrong. Like when that food fight broke out in the cafeteria and he got detention just for being there.

"I think that's a little too individualized to be considered as a senior prank but, I'm sure we can still squeeze it in somewhere anyway."

"That's what I'm talking about Row." I met his high five in the air and then he slung an arm around my shoulders, covering me in the subtle scent of his cologne.

As the boys continued the conversation, I noticed now that he made it seem so casual, like it was the most natural thing in the world. I told myself it was no big deal, that this is the same thing as Cyrus doing it, or even Adam.

But you don't feel the gentle stir of your stomach when they do it. 

"Walk you to class?" He asked, looking down at me from my side.

"Yeah," I replied, smiling gently to mask my disappointment when finally pulled his arm away to give me room to walk.

"You know Cyrus, I think you should start walking me to class regularly as well. We could be as romantic as they are, don't you think?" I heard Adam say from behind us.

I didn't have to turn around to know that Cyrus smacked him upside the head.

"Thanks, Cyrus," Declan and I simultaneously called over our shoulders.

"You're welcome."

"I'm so excited to plan this senior prank thing out," I started the conversation as we walked deeper into the morning mayhem, "I didn't think I would get to do it this year."

"I have an entire list of ideas we could look through."

"Ooo," I said with interest, nudging into him a little, "Partner in crime?"

"Of course," he said. "You can help me rule out the bad ideas."

"Or encourage them," I considered out loud.

"That would be the point of having a partner in crime, wouldn't it? Sounds more fun anyways," he said and I found myself smiling along with his smirk.

"I think we should plan a group thing. We sneak into the school at night and figure out which entrances are the best to break into."

"I don't know if I'm impressed or upset that I didn't think of that myself."

"You can be both," I said proudly.

"So, how'd you sleep last night?" He asked. We were studying together just yesterday. Only, I just now remembered that he asked me to text him when I got home.

"Oh shit, I forgot."

"Mhmm," He hummed under his breath. We had stopped close to my classroom as the hallway crowd began to clear up.

"Hey well, I could have been kidnapped walking to my car."

"Not possible, I walked you there myself."

"Or accidentally driven into a ditch, or been mauled by a bear, or I could have choked on my drink driving over a bump in the road, and you didn't even check up on me."

"Ah, but look you now, all in one perfect little piece."

"Yeah, I guess so. How did you sleep?"

"I slept just fine. Until Parker woke me up this morning by shoving his artwork in my face."

"Is that why you have marker on your jaw?" Just now noticing the red smudge.

"What-"He started rubbing his jaw in the wrong place as I laughed at his struggle.

"Here let me help you." I reached out my hand and ran my thumb over the mark. Maybe I was a little too gentle, considering the mark wouldn't budge. "You might need a wet napkin," I suggested.

Then I stopped when he grabbed my hand with his own, slowly pulling it away from his face with a look of consideration set in his features. His eyes went from my eyes, slowly down to the tip of my nose, and finally stopping at my lips.

"I think I might kiss you Row." His words sent a jolt through my body as I stumbled for something to say.

I think I might let you, I thought. But the words that came out were, "Friends don't kiss, Declan."

"I can make it a friendly kiss," He replied gently, not faltering for a second, and although his tone was humorous, the look in his eyes said something different.

I shifted my own gaze to his lips then, imagining what it would be like to kiss him. I didn't even realize I was leaning in until he did it too, his hand reaching over to cup one side of my face.

But before he could reach me, we were interrupted by a voice down the hall. "Oh Rowena, do you mind getting the door for me, dear?" Said my science teacher, Mrs. Lesly. Her arms were full with a box and a thick stack of paper.

He leaned his head back as I snapped out of it. I turned to face Mrs. Lesly, still feeling his gaze heavy on me. "Mhm," I responded, feeling a flush in my cheeks.

When I looked back at Declan, he was just turning his eyes back up to meet mine. "I guess I'll see you later then."

"I'll see you later," I agreed, still trying to pull myself together as he turned to walk to his own class.

A/N: HOW ARE WE FEELING RN?

Not me pulling an all nighter to get this major assignment done, only to write this chapter instead.

That's how much I love you guys. Hope you enjoyed ;)

~Thanks for reading~

P.s. apparently donut holes are timbits.

P.p.s Don't worry about the mark on Declan's face, he stopped by the restroom to get it off right after leaving Row:)