The purr of the motorcycle's engine snagged looks as Jace pulled the bike into an open parking spot. Cars of every variation filled the high school lot. Students stepped out and streamed towards the front gates. As Haley climbed off the bike, she tossed the helmet to Jace.

"Thanks," she said, already walking away.

She joined the tide of kids. The school was a collection of two-story white stucco buildings scattered in a rough circle. Between them were concrete paths that cut through patches of grass. The California sun was hot despite the early morning.

Jace jogged up to her and tossed an arm over her shoulders. "Don't you want to be seen entering the school with me? We could cause a stir." He waved a hand in front of them. "Jace Cortez finds a new love interest."

"Not interested," she said, shrugging off his arm.

She doubted that anyone would believe they were in a relationship if you could even call what Jace had with girls a relationship. Next to him, her skin was pale and she didn't fit the type of girl he went for. Though not ugly, she was not overly pretty. She had an oval face that was easily passed over. To really see her someone would have to make an effort.

"You're prickly," Jace said, letting his arm be detached from her shoulder.

"And you're just a prick."

He laughed good-naturedly. "That's a fine way to say thank you for giving you a lift here."

Haley quickened her steps. "I said thanks."

"And then proceeded to call me a prick. I would say that negates your gratitude."

With an annoyed sigh, she turned on him. "Fine. I apologize. Next time I will not accept the offer of a lift when I know it entails you trying to add me to your string of girls."

Jace crossed his arms, studying her.

"First off, I don't have a string of girls. And second, are you always this moody, or am I special?"

Haley ignored the first statement, she wasn't blind after all.

"You're not special."

"No, but I didn't need you to tell me that. What has you in a look-at-me-and-die mood?"

Haley waved her hand about. "Who says this isn't my mood all the time?"

Jace shrugged. "I guess I wouldn't know. It's not like we talk."

"Are you saying that's my fault?"

"No, I'm merely stating a fact. A fact that over the past three years of living next door to each other we've had a grand total of fifteen conversations together."

"That's because though we might live next door to each other we don't live in the same world."

Hooking her fingers around her pack straps, Haley walked away. She had barely gone a few steps before Jace was at her side again. A group of younger girls passed in front of them, some sending Jace friendly smiles and waves. He returned the greetings with a nod and carefree grin.

"What makes you believe we don't live in the same world?" he asked, as they skirted the group. "As far as I can tell, we do."

"No, we don't. I'm...me and you're Jace Cortez. The dream of every girl. The friend to every guy. The star of the school. Girls. Sports. You're the ultimate player."

"It sounds like you have a preconceived notion of who I am."

"And it's one that has yet to be proven wrong." She spun on him again. "Why are we even having this conversation?"

Jace shrugged, the gesture bringing attention to his strong shoulders. "Call it Monday boredom. Call it an opportunity taken."

"What opportunity?"

"The one where I gave you a ride to school and this is the first full-length conversation we've had that went beyond you throwing a hacky sack at me." He gave her a teasing smile. A smile that accented his straight, white teeth and blue eyes. "I thought it was time to get to know the neighbors."

At the sight of his grin, Haley felt tired and all her desire to understand why Jace was still standing before her died away.

"Jace," she said, "whatever game you're playing, I don't want to be a part of it."

She turned away but he spoke. "It's not a game, Haley."

"Maybe not to you, but I just feel toyed with."

She made a hurried escape as the bell rang, keeping Jace from making any move towards her. Groups dispersed and flowed into classrooms. Haley walked into her English class and took a seat in the back. As the remaining students settled in, she laid her head on her arms, wishing to fall asleep. Everything in her felt weary. Despite herself, speculations on why Jace would have kept talking to her raced around her head. The final bell rang and her sweet-faced English teacher stepped in front of the class.

"Alright," Ms. Henley said, her voice as friendly as a flower, "we're going to close out this year with a research project all about an author of your choosing. It will be a month long project and so you will still have small assignments in between."

Haley raised her head and rested her chin on her arms, watching as her teacher strode back and forth, making eye contact with every student. When her soft hazel eyes reached Haley, Haley felt the need to bury her face again.

"I want you to choose an author that has meant something to you. Or their works have affected you or history. Before you ask this will not be a group project, I want you to do this solo. Now for today-"

The door opened cutting Ms. Henley off. A girl stepped in and handed Henley a folded piece of paper. The class waited as she read the brief note. When she looked up, her gaze fell to Haley.

"Haley, you're needed in the counselor's office," she said.

As Haley grabbed her backpack and left, students gave her curious looks but no one said anything. By the time the door was closing behind her, thoughts of her had been pushed aside. The school grounds were silent and empty. It seemed almost peaceful to Haley. A part of her wished she could stretch out on the grass, close her eyes and absorb the sun's smile, letting it melt away her troubles.

She didn't listen to that want. Instead, she crossed to the office and entered. Seeing a black, Labrador puppy, she halted. The puppy's tail thumped loudly against the tile upon seeing the door open. It seemed to be smiling up at her, its tongue hanging out. It half rose on its back legs but when Haley took a step forward, it sat back down, knowing she wasn't whom he was waiting for.

Puzzled, Haley stepped up to the long desk.

"Dana," she said, "why is there a puppy in the office?"

The gray-haired woman with a wrinkled smile and youthful brown eyes, shook her head, chuckling. "He's a stowaway."

Before Haley could ask what she meant, the door opened again. A guy a few inches taller than her with unkempt dirty blonde hair, pale blue eyes, a boyish face, and glasses rushed in. At the sight of the guy, the puppy pounded forward and jumped up at him.

"Cal, you maniac, what are you doing here?" the guy asked, kneeling to scratch the dog's short fur.

"Isaac," Dana said, "you know this can't happen again."

Isaac looked up, his hair falling over the rim of his large glasses. "I'm sorry. He gets lonely."

"Did he follow you here?" Haley asked.

Isaac nodded and returned his attention to the barreling pup. "I live a couple blocks away. He must have slipped out of the fence and come to find me."

"Yes and followed me into the office," Dana said, barely holding in her smile.

Isaac rose and snapped his fingers. At the unspoken command, Cal sat and stared up at his master as if he held the moon and stars.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I'll take him home. Come on, Cal."

Isaac pushed through the door, the puppy trailing behind him, tail wagging the whole time. Haley was watching the pair walk away when a voice called to her.

"Haley."

The woman in the doorway was in her late thirties with brown hair pulled back into a loose bun and keen green eyes. Though she wore trousers and a blouse, Haley couldn't help but feel they looked comfortable, almost casual on her.

"Come in," she said.

Haley followed her into a neat office. Along the walls were inspiring quotes printed over scenic photos. Sunlight fell into the room from a single window and caught the motes of dust floating in the air. Faith took a seat behind her desk and gestured for Haley to sit.

"Haley, do you know why I wanted to see you today?"

Haley shook her head.

"Well, I know you have been looking into colleges and are planning to apply soon and I wanted to offer you some help."

"Thanks, but I'm pretty good on my own."

Faith gave her a small smile that said she knew more than Haley realized. "Yes, I am very aware you are fine on your own, but I don't think that is going to help you." Lacing her fingers together, she leaned forward on her desk. "Haley, in the last year you have pulled out of any sort of clubs and social gatherings you can. I know when teachers assign group projects you opt to work alone, even when you could rely on other people."

Haley shrugged like it wasn't a big deal. "I've learned I get things done faster when I work by myself. Besides most of the time I would be doing the work for the whole group anyway, I figured I would not let them take unearned credit."

"I understand that, but I also understand that colleges want to see someone who can work well with others. See someone who can still handle the weight of schoolwork while balancing outside activities. That is why I am assigning you to work on the Senior Day project."

"What?"

Faith continued as if Haley hadn't spoken. "As you know every year the junior class helps plan an event for the school but specifically the seniors. I thought this would be a good project for you to be part of. It involves a lot of students from your class. And it would be a great way to support your brother since this is his last year."

"I don't even think Matt would go to a thing like Senior Day, doesn't matter if I helped with it or not."

Faith said nothing, her expression showing Haley that she had no intention of withdrawing her assignment. The thought of working alongside students Haley barely talked to sounded draining and a waste of time. She was self-sufficient, why wasn't that enough for colleges? Wasn't being self-reliant a thing that everyone should be striving for? A part of her wanted to say she would take on the whole project if it meant she could do it alone but knew Faith wouldn't be happy with that suggestion. Tucking away all her annoyed thoughts on the topic, Haley let out a breath and crossed her arms.

"Fine," she said. "What do I need to do?"

Faith gave her a bright smile. "Great. All you need to do is talk to Rachel Decker and she will give you all the information on meetings and what you will be doing."

"Rachel Decker, like the Mayor's daughter and Junior class president?"

"That's the one."

Haley let out a groan. "Can't you just tell me when the meeting is and I'll go."

With a steady look, Faith shook her head. "Nope, for this you will have to go talk to Rachel. She's a sweet girl, you'll like her."

"Not likely," Haley thought. "Is there any other form of punishment you want to give me before I leave?"

"Interacting with your fellow peers is not punishment, Haley. If you let yourself be open to getting to know them and letting them get to know you then you might find relying on people isn't the failure you imagine it to be."

Haley picked up her backpack and put it on. "So is there anything else?"

"No, there's not. But try to be more open about this project. It's going to help your future."

Haley nodded and left the office. "I highly doubt that."

**********************************************************************

Hello minions!

Wait, if you're minions does that make me Gru? 🤦🏽‍♀️Oh dear. Forget that.

Moving on!

What are the cliches about high school that you find most annoying?

Mine is that there is all this hate between groups, that if you're part of one group you can't ever talk to someone in another. For me that's not true. In my high school everyone is chill with everyone else. They might not all be friends but this shunning of outsiders thing doesn't really exist.

Vote, comment, follow! You know the usual! Cause you love me! Or you don't and in that case don't do the following!