Receiving.

Bryce entered the yellow bus holding the note between his fingers while his eyes scanned for the girl named Columbia. They landed on the woman and he grinned as he made his way back to her, hoping not to startle the young girl. He sat beside her, catching her gaze. "I believe this belongs to you?" She glanced down at the paper before nodding and taking it from his grasp.

"I'll be sure to give it to him this morning." She whispered, trying to keep her voice down from everyone. Bryce only nodded and walked to the seat where Jonathan sat staring at him with wide eyes in confusion. He could tell he wanted to know what was going on but instead of spilling Bryce just smiled instead. He wanted this to be a secret.

--->

Bryce tapped on his desk as he tried to block out his English teachers voice but it came to no avail. He let out a long irritated sigh as he stared at the blonde headed woman at the front of the board. A light knock came onto the door and Bryce lazily looked at the door to see Ryan standing halfway in the door with his hands in his pockets and a cheeky grin on his features. She seemed to know what he was here for and gave a slight nod of approval which caused Ryan to enter the room followed by a tall Asian looking male and David's best Irish friend who went by Jack. 'Why are they here?' He watched as the boys grabbed a labtop and sat past them.

Luke only gave a pat to Bryce as he passed.

When the teacher began to rant on and didn't look behind her Bryce turned around and faced Luke. He mouthed, "Why are you here?" Luke just stared at him for a moment as he tried to process what he had just been asked. "Make up test." Luke (tried) to whisper. Bryce only nodded and turned back around thankfully the teacher took a moment before glancing back leaving her none the wiser.

Bryce held his pencil in his hand then watched the clock tick. Soon the bell rang and everyone got up to leave but as Bryce put his notebook in his bag he noticed a gray jacket hanging from the side of the desk. He immediately recognized it and grabbed it. Bryce shoved his way out the door and managed to see the brunette walking away alone so he picked up his speed and somehow, dodge everyone. His fingers wrapped around the tall males arm and the brunette came to a stop with wide eyes.

Bryce held up his finger as he tried to catch his breath leaving Ryan to just stare at him with wide eyes in shock. Bryce came up with a smile and held up the jacket catching Ryan's attention. "Is this yours?" Ryan nodded as he reached out and took it from the blonde. "Thanks man, I owe you one." The brunette smiled warmly.

"Oh it's no problem." Bryce shrugged.

"Can I get your name?"

"My name is Bryce."

"Bryce..? Nice, my name is Ryan."

"I know." Bryce blurted, earning a smirk from the older. His face went red as he realized what he had just said and how it sounded. "I mean uh, you were in my class at one point and uh-I gotta go."

"Bye Bryce."

Bryce only walked away in a hurry to get away from the man he just spoke too. It was obvious he had at least managed to embarrass himself in front of the coolest boy in school. He couldn't believe he actually just chased after that man and grabbed him like he did. Bryce actually talked to him.

Even though it was just a minute he couldn't help but feel achieved in some way. To him it was a win, a great feeling that he would never forget. The way his heart quickened like it did when he spoke to him told him he was crushing on the male and he didn't deny it. How could he? 'Okay Bryce, get it together man.' He grinned to himself as his heart began to resume normal speed.

Bryce heard the bell and began to sprint to his other classes. He didn't want to be late.

<---

Bryce tapped his foot cooly on the floor as he watched the clock tick until it struck the final hour and the bell rang off its chimes. He grabbed his things and began to leave the classroom to the bus, excited for whatever note would come.

If he was honest he wanted to believe it was a prank but part of him held onto the fact that it could be something more. He just wouldn't let go. Bryce entered the bus and seen the cotton haired girl sitting behind Jonathan who was checking his phone immediately. "Hey," the girl began. "You got mail." Bryce took the note from her hand and she walked to the back where a girl with long brown hair awaited.

He undid the note and let his eyes roam over it as if it was the last thing under the tree.

Dear McQuaid,

I can assure you I have no need to pull anything on you sir. If it makes you any better I'll give you my locker number and you can drop the note off there though I rarely come by when people stand there. I knew you had to be new, I know many people and haven't once seen you. I won't make this long for you Bryce so I'll end it with my locker number. Be sure to write me sometime. 434

Bryce flipped over the note to see the same exact smiley face in one of his favorite colors, purple. Bryce's eyes scanned over the small signature and he slipped it into his bag with a small grin. Maybe this wasn't a joke. "Tha hell you smiling for?" Jonathan's voice made him jump a little.

"Nothing." He stated simply.