Hey, gurls!

Oh-mi-gosh, I SEVERELY WISH I WAS DONE WITH SCHOOL NOW!

I promise, I'm okay; I'm just a little stressed out. (By TøP.)

ANYWAY, enough of my boring life. Let's get back to the book!

*Avi POV*

The next morning, I got to school as quickly as I could.

In fact, I beat everyone else in the group to school.

When they walked up and saw me waiting, the reaction was immediate.

"What the heck?"

"Since when are you early?"

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," I told them, "and I just felt like getting here early."

Liar.

The unspoken word in my mind sent a slight smile across my face.
He was here.

☆☆☆☆☆☆

In Choir, while we were singing, I noticed the slight hum coming from the back of the room.

I also saw, during the occasional glances I stole, that he was also stealing glances as well.

What?

You tell me. You're the one who's staring at me.

And?

I heard a soft chuckle, despite his singing.

Cut it out, you're messing me up.

That caused me to start laughing, and mine wasn't as quiet as his.

"Mr. Kaplan," Ms. Michaels said, "is there something I should know about?"

"No, ma'am," I said, "Just a stray thought."

To Kevin, I thought, I will get you back for that.

You can try.

☆☆☆☆☆☆

During lunch, I sat with my friends again, but I kept glancing around, looking for Kevin.

"Avi?" Kirstie asked, "What's going on? You've been acting really weird lately."

"I'm fine," I said, "I'm just..."

Then I saw him over by the wall, looking right at me.

When our eyes met, he gave me his familiar slight smile.

I smiled back, then thought to him, Come sit with us. We don't bite.

He looked a bit shocked, then he shook his head.

I, however, wasn't about to be told no on this.

"I'll be right back," I said, then I stood up and walked over to Kevin.

"Kevin," I said, "Please, come sit down with us."

He looked at me, and I hated the look of fear in his eyes.
Such a look didn't deserve to be anywhere near him.

"I can't," he said.

Before I could ask him why not, I heard Scott call me.

"Give me a minute!" I called back, my eyes never leaving Kevin's.

Kevin, please?

Why do you care so much? You have your friends.

Because I care about you.

This remark seemed to catch him off guard.

Now, will you please come sit with me and my friends?

He looked down for a moment, and I thought he was going to run or vanish.

Instead, he surprised me by saying "Okay".

A/N: I don't like cliffhangers, either, but I've been a bit busy.

With any luck, the next chapter will arrive next week.
(Or tomorrow, if I get a chance.)

But don't worry; it'll be worth the wait.

Luv you all! *blows kisses*