"Kill me," I ordered.

Jake gave me a look. "I think I'm gonna pass on that."

"Guess who my chemistry partner is," I smiled wryly, my eye twitching. "Just guess."

"I'm hoping it's Skyler," Jake began, looking me up and down worriedly. "But I don't think it's Skyler."

"Nope!" I laughed, probably looking completely insane. "It's not Skyler. It's Quinn. Freaking. Vega."

As if on cue, a voice called out from down the hall, "Oh, wondrous lab partner of mine!"

I groaned, already feeling like my head was splitting open and he'd only said three words to me.

Turning toward the source of the voice, I bit down on my lip and stopped any retort I had from escaping when I saw that Quinn was not on his own, but instead with Luke and the other two Lost Boys. I should have been surprised, but my heart always skipped a beat whenever I saw Luke.

"Hi," I greeted, smiling at Luke and completely ignoring Quinn.

Keegan made kissing noises at me. "Hello to you too, Ebony."

Why was I such good friends with these boys, I'd never know. I liked Luke, but the other boys never failed to get on my nerves. And it seemed like that was always Quinn and Keegan's goal.

"So, Ebby," Quinn began, using that insufferable nickname he had for me. "I guess you could say that you and I have... chemistry together."

As I was about to retort that we definitely did not have any sort of chemistry together beside the actual class itself, a new voice cut me off with, "Lindsey seemed pretty pissed when lab parters were assigned."

I turned to see my mother best friend Skyler making her way over to us, her backpack slung over her shoulder as she lazily leaned against the locker next to mine.

I rolled my eyes at the memory. As soon as Mrs. Campos announced that Quinn and I would be lab partners, Lindsey immediately began to argue against that decision. Our teacher was having none of it, however, and promptly partnered her up with a boy that seemed to never blink. He just stared with wide, green eyes. It was actually pretty creepy.

"Well, hello, beautiful," Keegan greeted Skyler, slipping by us to get closer to her. She made a face. "You're looking as gorgeous as ever today."

Keegan clearly had a huge thing for Skyler, yet she couldn't have cared less. She was turned off by his goofy attitude and violent behavior. She'd always say she wanted to date someone mature, and Keegan was the exact opposite of that.

"And you're just as annoying as ever today," Skyler scowled, but Keegan wasn't deterred. He made kissy faces and reached out to hug her, but all she did was swat him away like he was nothing more than a fly.

Quinn rolled his eyes at them. "She's got to give in eventually."

"Isn't that your wish, Quinn?" was Skyler's flat response to him, and Quinn flipped her off.

"Well, ol' Luke and I here are partners in our period," Keegan explained, wrapping his arm around Luke's shoulder. The loudest Lost Boy then turned toward the quietest. "What about you, Christian? You're in a different period from all of us. Who's your partner?"

Christian shrugged his shoulders uncaringly. "Some guy."

"You're as talkative as always," Skyler drawled with a roll of her eyes.

Christian talked so rarely that it was strange to hear his voice. And when he did speak, it was only ever a few words. I didn't know why he was like this, but he'd been this way ever since I'd met him in sixth grade. He'd never been a talkative person.

When I saw Lindsey making her way down the hall toward us, I internally groaned. I wasn't in the mood to deal with her and her comments. But to be fair, I was never in the mood.

"Hi, Quinn," she greeted once she got up to us all, wrapping her arms around Quinn's and squeezing tightly. He didn't seem to mind. "I'm glad I got to see you before you went home."

"We were just talking about our chemistry partners," Skyler informed her, saying this on purpose to anger her. It worked.

"I hate chemistry," Lindsey glowered, but none of us actually cared about what she liked or disliked. "I don't get why it's a requirement to take."

I didn't necessarily disagree with that, but since I was acing the class just like the rest of my classes, I didn't care what classes we needed to take. She only disliked it because I was Quinn's partner and she wasn't.

I'd readily switch partners with her if I could, but that wasn't something I had the power to do. But Quinn, however...

"Can't you talk to Mrs. Campos and get her to switch your partner from Ebony to me?" Lindsey asked, playing with the collar of Quinn's shirt as she made puppy dog eyes at him. "Then everyone would be happy!"

"I wouldn't be against that," I shrugged.

It was fun to see Lindsey squirm, but I knew I was going to suffer much more than she was now if Quinn continued to be my partner. Both my sanity and my grade...

"Nah, I'm good," Quinn grinned, and Lindsey immediately deflated. "I want to be partners with Ebony."

"You just want to make my life a living hell."

"You know me so well!"

Lindsey was practically fuming, her grip on Quinn's arm so tight that I'm surprised she hadn't ripped it off by now. The leader of the Lost Boys didn't seem bothered by it however, even though she was practically digging her nails into his skin.

"Have fun with your partner, Lindsey," Skyler waved away, clearly bored by her now. "I know Quinn and Ebony will."

"Most definitely," Quinn grinned the same time I said, "Not a chance."

Lindsey opened her mouth to snap back at Skyler, but thought better of it and turned back toward Quinn. I didn't know if she was trying to be civil in front of Quinn, or if she was afraid of ticking off Keegan by being rude to Skyler. That was not something anyone wanted to do.

"Are you going to try out for the school musical, Quinn?" Lindsey asked him, changing the subject to something else I didn't really want to talk about. "It would be so much fun if you did!"

"I don't know. Maybe," he shrugged, and it looked like he was trying to get her off of him with the movement, but I couldn't really tell. "If Ebony does it, I'll do it for sure."

"I'll pass," I blurted immediately, not planning on giving them the reason why. It was pretty obvious I didn't want to be around Quinn or Lindsey anymore than I already had to be.

"She'd be no good anyway," Lindsey waved away, and it wasn't even important enough to try to make a retort. She batted her eyelashes and placed her hand on Quinn's chest as she pressed up against him. "But Quinn, on the other hand..."

"He'd get the main role simply because he's the leader of the Lost Boys," I announced bluntly, only speaking the truth.

"Thanks for having faith in me," Quinn thanked sarcastically. I snapped my fingers at him.

"You know that's how that works," I continued with a shrug, remembering all the past school musicals I had seen with previous Lost Boys because my brother had been in them. "Eli Hunter got the main male role in every musical he did here. And then his girlfriend always got the main female role."

"Someone sure knows their stuff about old Lost Boys," Keegan grinned, poking at my shoulder as he spoke. "Doing some research?"

"No!" I denied, annoyed that he thought I cared enough about something so unimportant to do research on it when I had better things to be studying. "My brother was friends with them!"

Well, more like he was a friend of a friend... But same difference. That was a whole other story in itself.

"The Lost Boys might get everything they want, but I've got to hand it to Quinn," Skyler began, and I was surprised because she rarely ever complimented anyone. "He's definitely got the chops to get the lead. He'd probably get it even if there weren't Lost Boys."

"But he still hasn't done a show at school yet," Lindsey pouted, rubbing up against him even more. It was a pretty disgusting sight to see. "You're so talented, Quinn, but you never show it off!"

I nodded. "And it's not like you to not show off."

Quinn simply stuck his tongue out at me before turning back toward Lindsey. "It's just not something I'm all that interested in, that's all," he explained, but even I could tell he wasn't entirely telling the truth. None of us pushed for more information.

"Do you even know what the musical is going to be?" Keegan asked, and I thought that that was actually a pretty good question.

"Not yet," Lindsey answered with a shake of her head. "It'll be announced in the next couple of weeks."

It didn't affect me, but I still thought it would be interesting to know what musical they were doing. It was always a Disney show, since they wanted to pay homage to the name of the school or whatever, but no one but the directors knew what it would be until it was announced.

"Well, I'm going home," Skyler yawned, stretching out her arms. Keegan tried to take her hand as she did so, and she smacked him away from her. "Do you need a ride, Eb?"

I shook my head. "I'm not going home yet," I answered, though I was thankful that she offered it to me even though I would have declined even if I was going home so I could walk. "I'm going to the library for a little bit."

"Like you always do," Lindsey scowled, and I rolled my eyes at her. "Freak."

Sometimes she didn't even try to be civil to me around Quinn. I didn't know why she even tried, considering everyone knew that she hated me. It even seemed like sometimes it physically hurt her to try to be nice to me. It was too bad for her that mostly everything she said to me never got to me.

"Shut up, Lindsey," Jake warned her, taking a step in front of me as if I needed physical protection. Dangerous was the last thing Lindsey was, at lest physically.

"Sticking up for his girlfriend like always," she drawled, rolling her eyes as she tightened her arms around Quinn's.

"She's... she's not my girlfriend!" Jake stammered, his whole face turning red at the accusation at the same time Quinn said, "She's not his girlfriend."

Keegan scuttled up beside Quinn, elbowing him in the side. "And why would you care enough about that to comment?"

"Because who would date Ebony?" Quinn inquired with a roll of his eyes.

"I would ask who would want to date you, but I think we've already got the answer to that question," I replied, glancing over at Lindsey for only a moment so he'd understand what I was referring to. She glared at me and I ignored her.

"Believe me, I'm sure there are quite a few guys who would date Ebony," Skyler cut in, her arms crossed lazily over her chest as she continued to lean against the lockers. She gave Quinn and bored look. "You might know that better than all of us."

"Need someone to join you in the library, Ebby?" Quinn asked me, ignoring Skyler completely and wagging his eyebrows at me.

I scowled at him. "No. I want to be alone."

I library was quiet and peaceful, the exact opposite of there best of my life. In the few hours that I spent there, it was like all my stress just melted away. It was weird, but studying made me feel better. And no one else could understand that.

I said goodbye to my friends and made my way to the library. The smell of old books and ink hit my nose immediately once I entered, and I knew that I was home.
Maybe I was weird for spending so much time in the library after school, but it was better than going back to my house and dealing with my stepfamily. I'd stay here longer than I already did if I could.

Leo worked at home in his office, while my mother worked almost every single day out of the house. I never felt welcome in my own home, so I spent hours in the library to just get away. Just to feel better.

Sitting down at an empty round table, I let out a long breath. This was what I waited for all day. To come here and read, or study, or just think. It was relaxing. It was something I really needed.

There was rarely ever anyone in the library after school. There were few kids who come to do homework or to study like I did, and not all of them were there regularly like I was. Most of the time, the majority of the kids in the library were different each day because they were working on projects or researching something.

The library closed at five every day, giving me a little over two hours more away from home. I stayed until I was basically kicked out.

And even though I could drive and I even had my own car, I still walked to and from school when I didn't have any other plans. It meant I got to spend even more time out of my house.

I guess I could have joined a club, but nothing was much of an interest to me. I had once considered joining the drama club, but Lindsey's prominent presence there stopped me from doing that. I enjoyed just sitting and studying in the library. And here, I didn't have to deal with Lindsey.

There was nothing else I really enjoyed doing. If I didn't have plans with my friends, I was sitting in the library. Anything to stay away from Leo and Lacey at home.

"Can I check this out?" I heard an accented voice ask a little ways away from me, and I looked up from my textbook to see Like at the front desk, talking to the librarian.

My jaw dropped. What was he doing here?

"Luke," I called out, and the librarian gave me a look that told me to be quiet, that I should have known better. And I should have. I smiled sheepishly at her, but I was happy because I'd gotten Luke's attention.

Once his book was checked out, Luke made his way over to me. "Hey, Ebony," he greeted.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, and I felt like it was a stupid question, since we were in a library and I'd just seen him check out a book, but I didn't know what else to say.

"I needed something for that project in history," he explained, pointing to the book in his hand as he referred to the class we had together. "I thought I'd be able to find something to use here. Since Mr. Flores said we needed to have an outside source other than the internet."

"Why didn't you just come with me when I said I was coming to the library?" I questioned trying my hardest not to show that my feelings were slightly hurt.

Like shrugged. "You said you wanted to be alone."

I wanted to punch myself for saying that. Is only said it so Quinn would leave me alone.

"I just said that so I could get away from Quinn," I explained shyly, feeling embarrassed for looking like such an idiot. "I... I wouldn't mind if you joined me."

Luke just blinked at me for a second, and I felt my stomach flip. I'd said something weird. He thought I was a freak. Now he'd never like me and all these years having a crush on him would have gone to waste...

"I'd love to," he suddenly smiled, pulling out the chair next to me and taking a seat. I felt my heart swell. "I just didn't want to bother you earlier."

"You're not a bother," I assured quickly, biting down on my lip afterwards because I did not want to sound too desperate. "So, uh... what'd you get assigned for your project?"

"Henry VIII and his six wives," he answered, making a face down at the history book lying on the table before him.

My jaw dropped. "So did I!"

The librarian shushed me, and I immediately apologized, feeling foolish. I usually wasn't so loud or giddy, but since Luke was with me, and we were all alone... I just couldn't help but feel happy.

"I hate it," he sighed, leaning back in his chair. "English royalty is so boring."

"Aren't you, like, related to them or something?" I asked, but then I realized how offensive that joke could have been and I immediately pinched myself in the leg.

To my relief, Luke laughed. "Not everyone in England is related to each other, you know," he grinned. "Maybe more so back then, but not anymore."

I was glad I hadn't offended him. I was so used to just saying whatever I wanted in front of the other Lost Boys without caring what they thought of me. But Luke was different.

"I can help you out, if you want," I offered, seeing the opportunity and taking it immediately. "We can meet up and work on our projects together, since we have the same subject. And since it's a subject I actually really enjoy."

"You'd be willing to help me out?" he blinked.

I smiled. "Of course."

We would be working and studying together. It'd be like a study date. A date. Just the thought of a date with Luke made my whole face turn bright red.

"Are you okay?" he asked, reaching over and touching my forehead with his hand. "You got all red all of a sudden. Are you feeling sick?"

What was I supposed to say to him? We were sitting here, practically all alone. He was so close, and he was touching me. This had been what I'd been waiting for for five years. To just get an opportunity like this.

"Well, well, well, looky here!" a new voice suddenly called out, and I nearly fell over at the sudden loud interruption. I then groaned because I immediately recognized the voice.

The librarian looked up to shush the person who had spoken, but when she saw that it was Quinn Vega, leader of the Lost Boys, she kept her mouth shut. They really were allowed to do whatever they wanted here. It was actually kind of scary sometimes.

"I thought you wanted to be alone, Ebby?" Quinn questioned, pulling a chair out from the table and spinning it around, straddling it backwards.

"I just wanted to be away from you," I snapped, leaving out that I also wanted to be away from Lindsey because that wasn't important.

Quinn didn't seem bothered by what I had said, waving it away as he leaned forward in his chair and asked what we were doing. Luke quickly informed his best friend that I was helping him out with our history project.

"Boring," Quinn drawled, picking up the book Luke had checked out and began skimming through it. "I thought you were going to tell me you two were hooking up or something, but no. You're just studying like nerds."

"Qu—Quinn!" I squeaked, my face turning even hotter at what he had said. I expected the librarian to shush me again, but since I was with the Lost Boys, she didn't even look over at us. I still took my voice down as I whispered harshly, "Don't be gross!"

Quinn rolled his eyes. "Someone's wishing for it."

I was probably so red that I looked like a tomato. I did not want to have this conversation, especially with Quinn. All he ever did was embarrass or annoy me.

I'd always said that I didn't care if Luke knew that I liked him, but that didn't mean I wanted him to find out through Quinn's teasing. It was none of his business anyway. He made me feel like I was stupid just for liking a guy.

I couldn't be here any longer. I felt absolutely mortified. Even if it meant I'd have to spend a little more time at home, I'd take that over the humiliated feeling I had right then. I couldn't even look at Luke. I didn't want to know what he thought.

"I have to go home," I excused, scooping my books up off the table and dashing out of the library as quickly as I could.

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Haaaaa please ignore that it's been five months

Jordan and Jesse met today nine years ago, for those of you who read There's a Thin Line Between Love and Hate lol

Please COMMENT, VOTE, and FAN! <3