I was packing my stuff up at my locker. The day ended pretty smoothly, and I planned on going back to Nixx's. As I was grabbing my things, I heard a throat clear from behind me. I turned and saw Mr. Harris. He looked at me with a slightly pissed off expression, an eyebrow raised.

"Care to tell me why you left? I'm assuming you didn't go to the nurse considering your cheek isn't covered by a bandage or something." He stared at me, his jaw set in stone. I turned back to my locker and grabbed my things. I wasn't dealing with this right now.

"Listen Sir, I need to go, or else I'll be late for my bus." I tried to lie. He snorted in response.

"I checked your file. You don't ride the bus." He said with a smirk. And I was caught.

"Now, explain. Because I can get you detention for lying to a teacher. And trust me, you don't want that. Not when I'm the detention officer." He noted. I huffed in annoyance.

"Listen, Mr. Harris. I need to go. My dad will be upset if I'm late." I hate it when I'm mad. Because it causes me to say shit like that. I quickly covered my mouth, not meaning for him to hear that. He stared at me in confusion, and then it hit him. He looked back down at me, wide eyed. I slammed my locker shut and sprinted for the exit. Again he called my name.

Once I made it outside, I started running. I grabbed my phone out of my pocket and hit number 2 on speed dial. It was Phoenixx. I called her and told her I might be a bit late because I needed to do something before I went back. She told me that was fine as long as I stayed safe.

I slowed down once I got into town, knowing Mr. Harris wouldn't follow some stupid little girl home to make sure she was okay. He was a strict teacher when he wanted to be, and I doubted he actually cared about my well being. I started walking normally as I made my way to the library. When I was younger, and my dad wasn't nearly as bad as he is now, I always went to the library for comfort. I arrived at the old building and a wave of familiarity crossed me. I opened the old swinging door, and entered. The place was ancient, being built back in the 1700's. The librarians didn't update the decor or anything, giving it an old and eery vibe that I loved dearly. I looked around until I saw it. An old computer near the back, one that usually only the librarians are allowed to use. But I had a pass from an old lady who worked here who let's me use it whenever I want. All because I used to help her organize things and close up at night. I took out my pass that held the pin for the computer. The only way to get in was through the pin. If you were on the computer, then you would be okay if someone asked why you were on it.

I turned on the old machine. Despite it being from the 90's, it ran like a MacBook Pro from the 21st Century. Curiosity was getting the best of me, and I looked up something that was quite odd to the normal human.

Garrett Harris

I looked up the name after looking around to make sure nobody was looking. A few articles came up, one about the Valedictorian of the Class of 2008. Woah, he was only 28, turning 29 in December. I nodded my head in approval. Another article mentioned some college basketball player who didn't look anything like the one I was trying to find info on. This guy looked like he was on drugs, and he had blue eyes. Not my dood. After multiple scrolls, I found something interesting. It was an essay, dated to April 24, 2006.

My fellow peers:
How many times have you had to end a relationship because of age differences?

The essay started out like a letter. I read through the paper, and was quite surprised at what I saw.

Many think an age difference of 12 years is much. But honestly, there is no such thing as "too old" to love someone.

Hm. He did realize that sometimes, a 16 year old really shouldn't be with a 50 year old. I didn't care about age gaps, but that one seemed excessive.

Many will address this issue bringing the whole underage ordeal. That's why, I believe, along with many others, the legal age of consent should be lowered to 16, and if someone is the age of 16-18, said person's partner should be no older than 30.

Woah wait, my damn Calculus teacher didn't mind age gaps as long as they seemed logical. Never would've thought. I read through the rest of the 4 page essay in silence, except for the little hums of agreement sometimes. The paper had finished with a blunt, but powerful quote.

"Age is an issue of Mind over Matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."
-Mark Twain

"Wow," I sighed. That was weird. I checked through the records to make sure it was the Garret Harris that I was wondering about. Yeah, maybe it was weird, but I just felt the need to research him. I wanted to know more about the man, who was considerably a douche. But he seemed kind to me, even though he was a bitch when I came in late. He was definitely surprised when I came in early, but he wasn't mad at me which was good. I don't like it when people are mad at me. Not one bit.

After another hour of research, I left, and headed back to Phoenixx' place. I arrived at the house with no complications, and stepped back into the welcoming atmosphere.

"Nixx, I'm back!" I called out, setting my bag on the couch. Maybe she could help me with my calculus work. The red haired girl came into the living room with a whisk in hand.

"Hey, I was just finishing making some pie. I'm about to put it in the oven if you want some." I grinned at her.

"What kind?" I asked. She wiggled her eyebrows.

"Creampie," she joked, and I laughed at her feeble attempt at an inappropriate joke. "Nah, it's just pumpkin, I picked some stuff up for it at the store and thought, 'Hey why not?'" I hummed in approval and started to do my homework.

"Hey Nixx?"

"Was up?"

"Do you know how to do calculus?"

"Not really, no." I silently sweared at that. I should've done it at the library and asked one of the ladies for help. I still attempted it, even though I could only get through one question by the time the pie was done. Phoenixx placed a slice of the treat in front of me and I ate it quickly.

"Jeez, vulture much?" She asked with a laugh.

"Sorry, I just really need to get this work done, yeah know?"

"Sorry I can't help man, I didn't get it either. Wait, you have Harris for that class don't you?"

"Yeah, why?" I asked in confusion.

"Shit, you're gonna have one hell of a year. Actually, you're a junior. Hmm... I thought that class was for seniors?"

"Oh it is, but the school thought it might help me understand math a little better."

"Is it?"

"Does it look like it?!" She jumped back at my sudden outburst before laughing.

"Make that two years."