"Romeo and Juliet is a tale of love..." I drown out the rest of Mr. Riley's teaching and focus on the struggle to keep my eyes open. My lack of sleep doesn't seem to help the case.

I give up.

I didn't come here to kill myself.

With this soothing thought in my head, I place my head on my desk then allow myself to drift off to dreamland.

I'm awoken from my short slumber as a long object rhythmically pokes me from my side. I ignore it and try to continue my sleep. However, it continues to poke me, and I raise my head to meet the culprit.

I send a glare to the person only to lock eyes with my grinning best friend. She ignores my glare and shifts her chair close to the edge of her table.

"Mark Hanson just invited me to his party" she whispers in a happy tone. In my dazed state, my mind doesn't register what she says. All I can think about is the guy who sang Uptown funk along with Bruno Mars.

"Who?" I ask, checking to make sure that Mr. Riley doesn't catch us.

She opens her mouth in shock "Mark Hanson... He was on the swim team..." She explains "He graduated last year... He used to date STD Stella"

Then it finally dawned on me

"The Sex tape guy?" I ask and Sarah laughs "Okay...Are you going"

"Hell yes. And so are you"

"Doesn't he go to UCLA?" I ask and she nods once more and types something on her phone quickly "So it's a frat party? I can't risk having my brother see me"

She starts to speak but shuts her mouth when Mr. Riley looks in our direction.

"Stop giving me that excuse. UCLA is a big place" She says as he turns back to the board "This party is the start of the October season of partying. Don't give me that look, it's a real thing. It's going to be fantastic"

Sarah, for some reason always prefers college parties to high school parties, saying that college parties are wilder. And she's not wrong. However, they're not my scene.

"That's un-convincing me" I deadpan, placing my elbow on the table and my head in my palm, once again reminded that I need sleep.

Sarah pouts when she realizes I'm not going to cave.

"Oh come on, I need a wing woman" she tries again and I almost scoff.

"Oh please, what you need is a designated driver" I clarify. Sarah purses her lips and starts fiddling with her pen. I shake my head, knowing that I've hit the nail on the head.

"Please?" she gives me a puppy dog look. I scoff this time, I invented and perfected that look. Everyone knows that.

"Tell me what's up with you and Wayne, or no DD for you" It's a win-win, if she agrees, I get info; if she doesn't, I get to sleep in.

Sarah stays silent for a while and I try and imagine the gears turning and working in her head. I simply sit and stare at her till she makes up her mind.

After a while, Sarah's eyes flick over to mine, as if in so much pain, she nods her head hesitantly. I smile widely in victory. Sarah sees it, rolls her eyes and with a flick of her hair over her shoulder, her attention returns to the lesson.

I take out my phone and send a quick text to my mom to inform her that I'll be having a sleepover at Sarah's place in a few days. Unlike most parents around, my parents aren't as lenient. My mother detests the idea of me attending any parties, that hasn't stopped my siblings and me though.

I place my head back on the desk and continue my slumber till the bells ring for lunch. I throw my book and pen into my bag haphazardly and follow Sarah into the hallway traffic.

"I gotta use the restroom" Sarah states, glaring at a girl who bumps into her. "Can you get me a cheeseburger?" she asks as she turns her attention back to me. I nod and we part ways.

Upon seeing the long queue for lunch I let out a loud groan, then lazily take a lunch tray and get behind the last person. After five long minutes of standing, I can't take it anymore. I begin scanning the lines for familiar faces.

My eyes chance upon someone.

Femi, a Nigerian senior who was my Physics partner last year. He's the son of a Nigerian Tech mogul and he's not failing his father's legacy.

I quickly make my way over to him seeing as he's getting ready to order his food. He greets me with a friendly smile and fistbump.

"Hello Naa," He says, referring to my Ghanaian name, making me smile.

If I had it my way, I'd be called by my traditional name, but aside from my family, most can't correctly pronounce my name, even Femi. Most just stick to the shortened form, Naa, but I prefer the full name. I guess I'm stuck with Noelle for the time being.

"Hey Femi, I need a favor," I ask in a sugar-sweet tone. He furrows his eyebrows as he gives me his full attention. "Can you buy my lunch for me, the line's too long" I raise my lunch tray.

Femi bursts out laughing and collects the tray "You're really funny Naa, what do you want?" he asks, his Nigerian accent not completely overshadowed by his American one.

I dictate Sarah's lunch order to him, but when I try handing him some cash, he shakes his head and refuses to collect it.

"It's no problem," He says as hands me my lunch. "I'll see you around." He offers a parting smile to which I return one, then turns and heads toward his lunch table.

"Where's Sarah?" Priya asks as I sit.

"I always knew you preferred her over me" I sigh out loud, one hand on my chest, another wiping fake tears from my eyes. Priya rolls her eyes at my theatrics.

"Washroom" I answer her and take a sip from my water bottle "Where's Jake?"

"He had to submit his History essay" it is Lucas that answers. I nod and begin chatting with him.

Sarah then comes and sits, taking her tray from me. Planting a kiss on my cheek, she says a quick thanks before digging in.

"You didn't buy lunch?" Lucas asks.

I shake my head and rub my eyes to clear the sleep "I'm done for the day remember? I'll go get some McDonalds"

"I'll come with" Priya pipes in.

There are many good things about my school. One that I appreciate the most is the timetable. Normally on Fridays, school lets out an hour and a half earlier for seniors. But since I have a free period after lunch, I'm done for the rest of the day.

"That's so unfair. I mean what ar—" Sarah is interrupted by a new presence at our table.

"Hey, guys" Ben greets; to which the entire table throws back different replies. "Umm Elle can I talk to you for a sec?"

I don't miss the shocked look Sarah throws in my direction, but I choose to ignore it.

I follow him out of the cafeteria and into the courtyard, which is secluded as everyone is in the cafeteria. A huge gust of wind blows and my hands immediately pin down my skirt. To not embarrass myself, I place a little part of the fabric between my thighs.

"So Elle" Ben drawls. My heart speeds up as I think of multiple possibilities.

Maybe he's going to confess his undying love?

That's too far-fetched, I chastise my overactive mind.

"—I'm free after school if that's okay for you?" Ben finishes, waiting for my reply. I didn't hear a word of what he said.

"What?" Is he asking me out?

"Uh for tutoring... I got a text from Parker that you're my math tutor"

"Ooooh!" I exclaim and laugh awkwardly at my messed-up thoughts. "Umm sure"

"Great. My house?" I nod without thinking.

Suddenly another unexpected gust of wind raises my skirt, exposing my undergarment to anyone who dares to look. I'm unable to process it quickly enough to pull it down. A look of horror masks my features as Ben quickly averts his eyes. I wrestle with my clothing and finally manage it pin it down. Even as the wind slows down, all I do is replay one thought in my mind

I just flashed my crush.

********************************************************************************************

"And that's all about trigonometry. Any questions" I conclude.

"Yes! Where have you been all my life?" Ben asks, perplexed "Did you just use 30 minutes to explain an entire year's worth of math?"

I laugh and nod at him. He holds the open book in front of him as if he can't believe what he's seeing on the pages. I take the moment to stand up and stretch.

Ben, like the sweetheart he is, never mentioned the little incident in the afternoon, instead of chatting away as nothing happened.

"And I understand it?" He asks himself. "Thanks, Elle, you're a savior"

He falls backward on his bed, mumbling out incoherent words, then looks at the open book in the same strange manner.

I laugh and shake my head at his antics, grab my book and start packing my stuff. He finally snaps out of his daze and rejoins me by his desk.

"Are you always this shy?" he asks out the blue, his eyes focused on me intently. I can't handle the intensity of his gaze, so I look away.

"No, not always. Why do you ask?"

"It's like you're stuck in your bubble. You're either studying or working on extra credit, or juggling multiple clubs."

I don't tell him that the reason behind that, is my anxiety. I also don't tell him that my anxiety is caused by the sparks I feel whenever our hands graze. Or the frenzy my heart goes into whenever he looks into my eyes.

So I settle with a simple response.

"Frankly I prefer solitude. And I have to work hard to get into college. I've got a lot on my shoulders."

"Ah. It seems you've got all the ivies in the bag. Medicine right? At Harvard?" He asks and I look at him questioningly.

No one aside from Parker, my friends, and family know about Harvard and medicine.

"I heard our mothers discussing it one time" he smiles sheepishly "But that's great, you're gonna be a doctor. That's amazing"

"Yeah, it is" I reply weakly. I immediately start looking for ways to divert the topic from my fixed future. "What are you going to do in college?"

"I don't know, Economics maybe? I know how to bargain like a god with Maddie, so I guess I can do it" He says. His hands stretch behind him casually and I let out a little laugh.

"I don't think that counts as Economics" I let out between my giggles. Ben joins my laughter and I freeze when I thought hits me.

I'm laughing with Ben Meyers. Who knew this day would come?

His phone lights up and he scans the notification before unlocking his phone and replying.

"You're going to Mark's party?" He asks after he locks his phone.

"Yeap" I pop the p at the end. Mark's facial expression changes at my answer. He somehow looks disappointed, which probes me to inquire further.

"How did you know?"

"Sarah just texted it to the group" He answers simply. "I thought you quit the party girl lifestyle"

"Party girl lifestyle?" I ask forcing a laugh, trying to push the memories back. "Sarah needs a DD, in case she tries to do something stupid"

Ben laughs "I get that. It doesn't suit you anyway... the whole wild child act"

"And what suits me better?" I ask, raising my eyebrows in a challenging manner. He laughs and scratches his chin.

He pauses before answering me "You are more of the innocent, quiet, and pretty type."

I laugh in an attempt to ward off the annoyed feeling bubbling in my chest. I hate it when people assume I'm the innocent type of girl, it's good and all, but I hate assumptions.

I don't fail to hear the compliment that came from Ben's lips.

He thinks I'm pretty.

"But I guess I don't know you well enough to draw conclusions" he adds after a while, the intensity from before returning to his eyes.

"It's never too late to start," I say, surprising myself with my level of confidence.

My phone lights up with a notification, and I catch the time.

"I have to get going," I say, standing up and slinging my bag over my shoulder.

Ben stands as well. "Let me walk you out"

He walks me to my car and waits for me to enter the car before saying his goodbye. I start the engine and place both hands on the steering wheel, however, I don't step on the gas.

Ben lowers his head to my level a hand on the roof of my car "Any problem?" he questions.

I turn to him and allow the corners of my lips to raise slightly. "You were wrong" I state, and his eyebrows raise.

"About what?"

"About me... About my type"

"Then what type are you?"

"You'll have to find out yourself"

"But I damn sure am not innocent" I add in my head as I drive away.