At Red Oak Christian Academy about a month later, early October 2012

Kate and Maranda are at their lockers in the hallway after their last class of the day. Maranda asks, "So, are you and Michael studying together again this year?"

"Yes," Kate replies.

"Ohhh...," Maranda coos.

"What's "Ohhh..."?" Kate asks crossly.

"Have you even looked at him this year?" Maranda asks.

"No, why?" Kate asks.

"He's almost six feet tall, his braces are off, he's got "abs" and "pecks" now," Maranda says, "he's not the little nerd-boy we used to know!"

"And he did something with that mop of hair," Kate says with a laugh.

"Oh! You did notice that!" Maranda teases.

"Well... umm... sure... but...," Kate stammers.

"Are you going to finally ask him out or something this year??" Maranda asks.

"We... We're just friends. You know that," Kate replies.

"Just friends? You guys have been "study buddies" for twelve years!" Maranda exclaims.

"But... I...," Kate begins to say.

"Just ask him out already!" Maranda interrupts. "He's practically the only boy here you'll talk to..."

"Or will talk to me," Kate tells her.

"Well, whose fault is that?" Maranda asks.

"It's not mine!" Kate says defensively.

"Oh no, little miss 'perfect Christian who never gets in trouble and always does her homework on time', and her freshly-pressed skirt is always the right length," Maranda says.

"Gee thanks," Kate says glumly. "You can stop encouraging me any time."

Maranda shrugs and says, "Just sayin'..."

On the other side of the hallway Michael and two of his friends, Amos and Zeb, are at their lockers. Amos asks Michael, "So, are you and Kate studying together this year?"

"Are you ever going to ask her out?" Zeb asks.

"Umm...," Michael mumbles.

"Or do you think you have a chance with one of the new girls?" Amos asks.

"Like with Zoe Cross? She's beautiful and a great athlete," Zeb replies.

Michael stammers, "Well..."

"I heard Zack Justice is going to ask her out," Amos says.

"Or Marielle, our French exchange student?" suggests Zeb. "She's gorgeous and smart. She knows three languages."

"I... I...," Michael stammers.

"And you have trouble with English," Amos jokes.

"Or Kim Lloyd? She's Filipino. Her dad owns a software company. She's an athlete and she's super smart!" Zeb exclaims.

"And you barely got out of Algebra," Amos says.

"So, what are you guys saying?" Michael asks.

"That you don't stand a chance in... you know where... with any of them," Zeb replies.

"And if you want to ask anyone out this year, you better stick with Kate," Amos adds.

Michael shrugs and says, "Eh, maybe I don't want to."

"Why not?" asks Zeb.

"I don't know she's quiet and plain Kate. Her family is always at our house, so she's more like a sister or a cousin," Michael tells them.

"Dude, you at least have a shot with her," Amos replies.

"Maybe, we'll see," Michael says. He goes down the hallway to the area where all the girls hang out and sees Kate and Maranda standing there.

Michael nods at Kate and says, "Kate."

"Hi Michael," Kate answers.

"Hey, Maranda," he says to her.

Maranda says in a flirty voice, "Hiya, Michael."

"Wow, that's a nice outfit," Michael says.

"Thanks!" Maranda exclaims.

"But, isn't that skirt a little short?" Michael asks.

"Michael!" Kate says.

"Shhh!" Maranda hisses, smoothing her skirt out while pushing it down. "No, no, it's perfectly fine."

"But, what if Pastor Cross comes by?" Michael whispers.

"I can handle him," Maranda answers. "Well, I'll let you two get on with your 'studying'."

"Maranda!" Kate exclaims, in an annoyed voice.

"See you around!" Michael says as he watches Maranda walk away.