"It's too hot," June whined, slipping the blazer from her shoulders.

"Sorry, I can't help it," I replied with a straight face. I ignored June's glares and chomped down on the sandwich in my hands.

"Why are you like this?" Bark asked, glancing disdainfully at me.

I merely shrugged and took another bite from my lunch. Stray tomato juice trickled down my chin. June sighed in disgust and tossed a napkin at me, gesturing at her chin.

I dabbed the mess away and nodded. "Thanks."

Bark attacked his lunch, and I devoured my sandwich. June was clearly unimpressed, but something seemed to be floating through her mind. "I'm curious," she began.

"Hi curious, I'm J," I immediately replied.

June's lips curled down and her cheeks puffed in disgust. "J, you're better than that."

I looked around in disbelief. Raising my hands in innocence, I replied, "I think that's pretty funny."

Bark tore himself away for his noodles just to scold me. "Dad jokes are never funny. Seek professional help."

A bark of laughter escaped me. Standing, I shook my head. "Don't need help. I already know everything that's wrong with me."

"Do you know to fix it?" Bark asked, concern evident in his expression.

I donned a cocky smile and danced about. "Still working on it," I said, winking at Bark.

Grunting, Bark turned away and continued eating his noodles. June looked at me seriously and mouthed something.

Laughing, I replied, "I can't read lips." I paused for a moment before grinning at them. "Hey, do you guys need dead batteries? I'm giving them away free of charge."

Bark groaned and June booed. They threw napkins at me and still laughing, I turned and strolled from the dining hall. It was midday, so the sun was high in the sky. Light dotted the land, shadows melting into intricate patterns across the courtyard.

Checking my watch, I realized there was still some time before break ended. Might as well take a walk. Though, there was too many people around here. With that in mind, I made for the trees by the fence-line. It was peaceful there. Quiet, and with few people. The rustling of the leaves and the smell of it all; it was my second favourite place on campus. Well, third. Top spot goes to my bed. Then that alcove hidden in the library. Though this place wasn't far behind. The funny thing was I came here to be alone, but part of the library's allure was that she might be there.

I was pulled from my thoughts by quiet footsteps. Glancing over my shoulder, I spotted her gray locks amongst the trees. Speak of the devil, I thought to myself, chuckling.

"V?" My head tilted curiously, eyes widening ever so slightly.

At my voice she turned, expression blank. Folding her hands behind her back, Evelyn strode between the trees, occasionally spinning around. It was as if she was waiting for me to say something, but I don't know what she wanted.

Eventually, Evelyn sighed and stopped moving. "I like it out here," she said, peering through the treetops.

I nodded seriously and leaned coolly against a tree. "It is nice, even better with me here."

Evelyn looked disgusted. "Get over yourself," she said, scoffing.

"Now why would I do that?" I replied with a cheeky grin. "Credit where credit is due."

Her expression twisting into some strange sort of restrained smile, Evelyn shook her head. "You're really annoying, you know that?"

"Yeah, I know," I answered, hanging my head. "But hey, never a dull moment."

Conceding my point, Evelyn giggled. Bringing a hand to her mouth, she covered her lips cutely. Again, she looked as if she expected me to say something but when I didn't, her smile grew sad and her hand dropped to her side.

"You really are lame." She sighed, crossing her arms.

I scoffed and pushed myself off the tree. "Tell me how you really feel," I teased, raising an eyebrow at her.

Evelyn seemed to think for a moment, then she nodded. "Alright, I think you..." she trailed off. Raising a finger to her chin, she grew pensive. "You're not as funny as you think you are. You're also not as lazy as I thought you were. You work surprisingly hard, but for little reward."

When Evelyn met my gaze, she was wearing an innocent smile, but my hanging jaw and the frown in my cheeks made her freeze. Her mouth slightly agape, she stood there, watching me.

Feeling my breathing quicken and muscles tense, I took a deep breath and buried my hands deep in my pockets. I kept moving, scared that if I stilled, it would overtake me.

I shrugged at her, donning that familiar forced smile. "Little reward is better than none." Without thinking, I lowered my voice and whispered, "I have to keep moving forward."

Frowning, Evelyn shuffled her feet and hugged herself loosely. "Forward?" She echoed.

Her small voice startled me, and I jumped, having lost myself for a moment. A sad smile slipped onto my face. I nodded slowly and replied, "Yep, forward. When I need to go that extra mile, or when I'm worried, whatever it is, if I can keep moving forward; if I can go a little bit farther, then I'll be alright."

Smiling at the ground, I leaned to one side and staggered before catching myself and doing it again. I repeated this drunken dance in a desperate attempt to keep any tears at bay. By sheer refusal to break, I kept my walls shut tight.

Clamping my eyes shut, I began to fall again, but Evelyn caught me. She hugged me from behind, her arms wrapping around my waist, her small body pressed against my back. Startled, I gasped and wriggled to break free, but she held tight.

"Self-preservation?" She said, her voice barely a whisper and full of heaviness.

I stopped squirming and smiled at the dirt again. "Self-preservation," I confirmed, hanging my head. Reaching slowly, I took her hands in mine and peeled her off. The hug broken, I grinned over my shoulder, "See you round, V."

I began walking, but Evelyn called to me. "Tomorrow night!" She yelled.

Confused, I stopped and glanced at her. Her eyes lifted from the earth and a scowl graced her face. "Tomorrow night," she began. "We have a math test next week. So, tomorrow we're meeting up to study."

My half-hearted scoff became a chuckle and I nodded. "Sounds good."

Just like that, her sweetness disappeared. Pointing at me, she yelled, "Don't you dare be late!"

I couldn't help it; a hearty laugh escaped my gut. "Wouldn't dream of it."

When I made that promise, I had every intention of keeping it. Alas, I failed. I'm not sure why I didn't go. Maybe I didn't know that she could see it? Maybe it was my own stubbornness or pride? Or perhaps it was that thing I claim to be self-preservation. Either way, that next night, Evelyn sat there, waiting for me, and I never came.