I was sitting at the table, enjoying my breakfast acai bowl and lemon water when Natalie strolled in... still wearing those ducky pajamas, might I add. This girl really has questionable style.

"Woah, you're up and ready early," she said as she began pouring herself a bowl of cereal.

"Yeah, I didn't want to have the same timing conflict we had yesterday," I said casually.

She gave a heartwarming face, "Aww Daisy, you woke up early, just so that I could have more time in the bathroom. That's really sweet of you."

Oh get real sister, I only got up early so I wouldn't have to hear your insistent knocking on the door, while I hog the bathroom. Plus, you definitely need all the beauty rest you can get.

"Yeah, something like that," I said before drinking my lemon water.

"Well thank you. I shouldn't take too long to get ready," she said, mouth full of cereal.

How funny is it that she seems to be polite to people, but her table manners are just... not there?

After breakfast, and about 35 minutes of me posting selfies, Natalie came back.

"Ready to go?" She chirped.

I took in her look. She had on ripped blue jeans with a slightly oversized green and blue striped shirt. She even had the audacity to wear a red jacket on top. Can you say "color clashing"?

What was she thinking putting on this little get up?! If this isn't a cry for help, then I don't know what is. I really should let her rent an outfit or two from me.

Knowing I was going to criticize her 'fit, I just simply nodded in response before heading out of the door. See, I can be nice when I want to. 

•••••••

When I arrived at my homeroom class, I was desperately hoping to find a seat that was FAR away from Ryan. No way was I sitting next to that jerk face again!

Oh but just my luck. Everyone was already sitting in the same seats as last time! 

Are these seats assigned? And how early do these nerds get to class?! Ugh, the only downside of always being in advanced classes was that I was surrounded by them.

Sighing deeply, I dragged my Jimmy Choos down the aisle, preparing to sit at the seat of doom.

A few short minutes passed and Ryan, of course, was the last person to enter the room. Again. Does he do this for the dramatic affect or something? I mean, come on dude.

"Hm, you're still here?" He asked as he passed by me to sit on my left.

"And why wouldn't I be?" I rolled my eyes.

"Figured you'd drop this course and move on to something more your pace." He then took a full look at me. His black orbs, scanning my figure. "Like fashion and design class, maybe?"

I arched an eyebrow. Normally, I would be flattered that someone appreciated my top notch fashion skills. However, I could tell that he didn't mean it in an endearing way. He was clearly mocking my intelligence capabilities, thinking I would have caved in by now and dropped this rigorous class. Oh but little does he know, Daisy Nickels, is one smart and hot cookie who won't let anyone call her dumb!

"I'm very much aware of the criteria for this class, and quite certain I WILL excel in it, but thanks for your fake ass concern," I said sarcastically to him, before turning away.

Still in my peripheral vision, I noticed he arched an eyebrow at my words and gave a slight smile, or maybe it was another conceited smirk, I couldn't tell.

"Alright class, no time for formalities, we have A LOT to cover today," Mr. Peterson announced as he arrived. Sitting his briefcase on his wooden desk, he turned to face the class.

"First up, I'm sure you all are aware of the big project that will be worth 55% of your final grade. It's going to involve a lot of researching, so I'm giving you until right before Winter break finals to complete it."

Ha. project smahject. I, like, totally have got this, no pressure at all!

"Oh, and I hope you all like your table buddy, because they will be your partner for the project," he added.

*CRASH*

Okay... did I mention how much I hate this school?!!

I took a slight peek over at Ryan. His hands were folded under his chin as he listened to the lecture. His face was indifferent and stone like. Ugh, what is this guy? A british soldier or something?

He then cut his eyes over to me. 

EEP! He noticed! Okay, be cool, Daisy, pretend like you weren't just staring at him.

I squinted my eyes a little as I drew my attention to the board, trying to make it seem as if I was actually curious about what was being written on it.

I soon felt Ryan's gaze fade as he turned his attention elsewhere. Whew, that was a close one. It's a good thing I'm good at acting, like an Academy Award winning actress, isn't it?

After quite some time later, class finally ended. I finished out the last sentence of my notes and put the pencil down. I instantly winced as I rubbed my sore left wrist. Okay, remind me to bring in my laptop for next time. I can't handle hand writing anymore of these excessive notes.

"Meet me in the library after school," Ryan said, turning to face me.

I smirked to myself, as I conjectured up the idea to give him a taste of his own medicine. I reached inside of my light pink Gucci purse, and took out my airpods. I then put them in my ears, gathered my things, and walked clean out of the classroom, without so much as a nod to Ryan.

Sashaying towards my next class, I felt a body jog up beside me. Having a good feeling of who it was, I kept my head forward, not daring to look towards my left.

That was until I felt cool air hit beside my ear.

"Hey! Give it back!" I protested.

"Not until you tell me why you just ignored me back there. I was trying to tell you about our meet up times to work on the project," Ryan said annoyed, holding my airpod in his hand.

Smirking, I put my hand on my hip. "Oh I'm sorry. You didn't seem to mind yesterday, when you ignored me. All I was trying to do was ask you for directions."

He rolled his eyes and sighed, before handing me back the airpod. "Look, sorry, okay. But we really need to figure out a consistent schedule to work on this project. I won't tolerate a failing grade, just because of you." 

"Because of me? Oh honey, you should be thankful you are even within breathing space of me," I said, flipping my hair over my shoulder. "And don't worry about the grade, I'm sure I'll be pulling all of the weight anyway." Satisfied with my comeback skills, I gracefully turned and walked away.

"Library at 2:45!" Ryan hollered out.

Rolling my eyes at his bossiness, I continued my way up the steps.

▪▪▪

Later that afternoon, I was sat at the lunch table when the mystery gang-- er I mean, Natalie, Kaitlyn and Alex sauntered over to me.

"I see you brought in your lunch today, nice move," Alex said, taking the seat in front of me.

"Yep, I'll leave the slop to you all," I said before taking a bite of the orange chicken held between my chopsticks.

Natalie took a seat beside me, opening opened up her orange colored bento as well.

"Ugh, Natalie?" I asked completely unamused. "Must you even copy my lunch?"

She looked back and forth between mine and her bento with a confused look. "But my mom made us matching bento boxes?"

"Yes, but now we look like the ditsy bop twins. Go switch seats with Alex."

Her mouth hung open before she reluctantly got up to switch.

"So how's your day going, Daisy?" Kaitlyn perked up. 

Oh, aren't my admirers so caring?

"Well, everything was going fine until I got paired up with Ryan Lombardi for a project," I rolled my eyes.

"Oh my goodness! Are you forreal!? Wow, you really are the luckiest girl I know," Kaitlyn fawned.

"Ugh, more like unlucky. Didn't you hear me? I got stuck with Ryan. I totally can't stand that guy," I scoffed.

"Well you are now part of the small, minuscule 1% out of 100 that don't," Alex said.

"Hey, what about me? I'm not crazy over Ryan," Natalie spoke up.

"Yeah, but would you go out with him if he asked you out?" Kaitlyn questioned.

Natalie's cheeks then turned pink as a blush spread across them.

"See. You are part of the 99% that absolutely adore him," Alex told Natalie.

"Yeah, but you're just... more sane than the rest of the girls. We both are actually," Kaitlyn cluelessly smiled.

"Uh huh, sure you are," Natalie said, patting her back sarcastically.
 
▪▪▪

Lunch, and the rest of the day soon went on pretty well actually. However, it was now time for the study session of misery.

I walked inside of the medium sized, icky brown and dark green themed library. 

Ew, when was the last time someone cleaned this dusty place? Hm, Mildred must be out of a job now, maybe she could apply to clean this place up.  

As I walked over to the green study tables, I spotted Ryan sitting at one of them in the back, situated a little farther away from the other ones.

"Well it's about time," he said as he put his book down. His deep, onyx eyes pierced into my brown ones with slight annoyance.

I checked the time on my phone. "It's 2:46?" 

"One minute or ten minutes, late is late, Princess," he said.

I rolled my eyes as I sat across from him. "Okay, this is the second time you've called me 'princess'. What's up with that?" 

He furrowed his brows up a little as if my question was blatantly obvious. "Well for starters, you're wearing a pink dress right now and, oh look; you're even wearing a little tiara on your head."

...What? You have to admit it goes fabulously with my cute, pink mini dress. 

"And your point is?" I questioned, folding my arms under my impressive chest.

He shook his head before reading out his already written agenda for what we should base our paper on.

As we were sharing ideas with each other, I felt a tingle in my nose. I then let out two abrupt sneezes.

"Bless you," Ryan said while still looking at his sheets.

"Thanks," I muttered as I tried to get back to focusing. It was extremely hard, however. No matter how many times I swatted the air, I kept noticing more and more small dust particles floating around the area.

"Achoo, Achoo, Achoo."

Ryan then exhaled deeply as he slowly looked up at me with apparent annoyance written all over his face.

"What?" I questioned. "I'm not used to being around dusty areas. This place is so gross." 

"Well try to keep it under control," Ryan said.

How can I keep my sneezing under control?

"Or maybe I'm just allergic to your bad attitude," I rolled my eyes.

I then began to feel them water up a bit. Oh no! I am not about to let my mascara run. That is where I draw the line! 

I quickly got up and gathered all of my materials. Swiftly slinging my bag over my right shoulder, I pushed the chair in with my hip.

"Where are you going?" Ryan narrowed his eyes at my movements.

"Anywhere but here! I can't work in an environment like this."

He sighed in defeat. For some reason though, he hesitated a bit before standing up. "Fine, we can go to my place from now on then."

"Oh, yeah right!? Why? So you can drop me off at the desert, where the coyotes will hunt me as prey?!"

Why would he offer to help me? Especially after how much of a jerk hs's been! My mind went into defense mode as I started imagining a million scenarios of Ryan abandoning me for good in the wild.

He gave me a bewildering look. "Or we can just stay here, so you can sneeze at 50 mph."

Feeling another sneeze coming on, I quickly shook off the thoughts of the coyotes. "Okay, sounds like a plan!"

Literally running out of the building in my Jimmy Choo sticks, I took in a breath of fresh air. "Ah, clean-- but still kind of smoggy-- L.A. air."

"Uh, Daisy?"

I turned around to see Natalie sitting at the single bench table on the school's front lawn. A large tree's leaves and branches shielded her from the sun as it served as protection.

"Oh, it's just you," I rolled my eyes before turning back to the front, still trying to grasp some air.

"Yeah, just your ride." She rolled her eyes. "I thought you said you wouldn't be done until 3:30?"

"Change of plans," I shook my head. "That library is toxic to my lovely body. I won't step foot in there ever again!" 

"Okay, well where are you gonna study with Ryan then?" She asked.

"at his place," I said quietly, hoping she wouldn't hear me. 

Oh, but I could tell she did, because I saw a smirk spread across her face.

"Oh grow up," I rolled my eyes as I walked over to the car.

"Oh, we all have grown up. That's why you should be worried," Natalie teased behind me.

Ugh, whatever little thoughts Natalie had, she could just forget it! 

 FORGET. IT. 

There is NO WAY that something could happen between me and that arrogant guy. We're only tolerating each other as study partners.

Nothing more, nothing less...