"Hey."

I tapped the girl who was sitting beside me as gently as I could on the arm so she wouldn't get a shock. "What's the name of that guy again?" I nodded at the guy seated in front of Eli, who had turned in his chair to face her.

"Zachary," the girl answered, glancing at his direction.

"Right. Thanks."

She laughed, turning in her chair herself to look at me. Her face was all lit up. "Having trouble memorizing people's names?"

I shrugged, trying to appear cool about it.

"We have Chem together too, right?"

"Uhh -" I started to say but she just continued speaking.

"Well, do you remember my name?" she asked, looking straight at me.

"I uhh," I stammered, my eyes already darting away from her and feeling the beginnings of a prickle at the back of my neck.

She laughed again. "It's cool. No worries. It's Janey."

"Right. Nice to meet you. Kris," I responded in relief and returned her smile.

"I know. You were the talk of the school when you got here. But you probably knew that."

I gave what I thought was a noncommittal shrug. I expected them to talk. New kid and all. Trying to make new friends when majority of them have spent half of their lives knowing each other. Established circles you didn't want to disrupt but at the same time wanted to get to know. It's taking some time to get used to the new-but-not-so-new-place. If I really thought about it, there was something to distract me, and I guess that made it easier. Easier to forget what I left behind and look forward to something new, something better. It was odd how one one crazy thing was a random coincidence that lead to another.

Honestly, it was hard not to miss the talks. I got sized up or sometimes judged when I hadn't even done anything. When I walked in the hallways, the heads swiveled in my direction, eyes going from my head to my feet, the whispers (and sometimes, giggling) followed me down the corridors. If I didn't feel like I was in the Witness Protection Program, I would have liked the appreciative glances. I just didn't feel them now. I kept on feeling paranoid that one of them would recognize me. It was bound to happen; I knew that. But it would definitely be from one of the guys and I would be fine with that. That piece of information would 99% stay in that circle only. Of course, I had to leave a margin of error there. I just didn't want it to be this early in the game.

"How do you find our lovely city of Chester so far?" Janey asked, a hint of sarcasm in her voice. I realized I didn't reply to her and she was trying to get me to talk again. I could see in her face how pleased she was to be talking to me. Once upon a time, the attention would have boosted my ego. I would have smirked at her. Turned on the charms. Again, I just didn't feel it now.

Jeez. If I felt like this at 18, I'd be a wasted, hopeless man by the time I turn 25.

"It's...cool." I genuinely tried to give her an answer that didn't sound textbook like. I wasn't sure I succeeded. "My old school was a lot bigger but it's cool here too. Quieter. Less rowdy. And a lot more extracurricular activities offered."

"I find it hard to believe that you'd like this school over -"

"No, I like it here," I interjected before she could continue. It was definitely better here where no one knew who I was or at least what I do. Or used to do, anyway. "The people are nice," I finished, but when I looked up at Janey, I immediately thought that might not have been the best thing to say. I tried to cut the conversation short by turning away, but my eyes fell on Eli again. The Zachary guy was still talking to her. Eli had a book open on her table and I could tell she was trying to explain something to him. Trying because Zachary wasn't focused on the book. He was too busy studying Eli's face. Why hadn't the possibility of someone else getting her attention occur earlier in my mind? And why did that even bother me?

"And the girl Zachary's talking to?" I asked Janey, trying to arrange my face into something like genuine confusion and not interest. I hoped she'd talk about Eli's connection to Zachary and I wasn't disappointed.

I should really stop with this stalking.

Janey glanced back to Eli's seat impatiently. "That's Eli. Zachary's been trying to ask her out for ages you know, but she's never interested. Mostly keeps to herself." She shrugged. "Eli's really nice though. She's just...unavailable, I guess. Not putting herself out there if you know what I mean." Janey looked at me pointedly. I tried to keep my face blank.

Why did girls think that guys don't notice things like that?

"Zachary, Eli...and that one beside her is Taylor, right?" I confirmed, just to throw her off.

"Oh," and Janey sounded completely surprised and relieved at my question. Her face cleared so fast, it was almost scary. I almost smirked at her. "Yeah, Taylor. Then there's Sandra on Eli's other side."

"Right. Got it," I said, nodding at her. "Thanks."

"You have plans on Friday night, Kris?"

I turned back to Janey reluctantly. "Plans? I can't even memorize you guys. Hardly know anyone here. Definitely no plans."

"Good," Janey replied, looking pleased. "There's a party over at my place. You should come."

I was feeling too surprised to formulate a response quick enough.

"I'll text you the directions?"

I didn't want to refuse outright, especially when I might end up offending the only new friend I had made in school since moving. And I really didn't have plans on Friday night. That afternoon, I had Sophie, but the night was - wait, that wasn't a good way to show my schedule on a weekend. Afternoon with a five year old girl and then nothing afterwards. That was how pathetic it was.

What the hell.

"Sure," I said, pulling out my phone and handing it to her. She gave me hers in turn.

"Great!" Janey exclaimed and she proceeded to type in her number. I entered mine back in her phone. The teacher - I forgot his name - entered the room then and Janey hurriedly handed me my phone back. She smiled again before turning to the front of the class. I caught the girl sitting beside her raise an eyebrow and then shot me a look. Janey waved her hand dismissively with a smile on her face.

I had to bite back the smirk forming on my face. Exactly the point I was making earlier. No doubt I would be their topic of conversation after class.

The smirk was long gone when I left World History. Eli was already heading for her locker with her friend, Sandra. I shouldn't pay this amount of attention to her but I couldn't help it. There were all these walls around her every single time I saw her. I didn't want to creep her out any more than I had already done on my first day. Or the second time when we saw each other at the ice cream house. That one was infinitely better than the first; Elijah was the key to breaking down those walls.

I reached my locker just as Eli closed hers.

"Hey Eli."

From the corner of my eye, I could see the guy called Zachary approaching...and Sandra rolling her eyes behind Eli.

"You guys going to Janey's party on Friday?" Zachary asked, turning from Eli to Sandra and back again.

"Might," Sandra replied with a slight narrowing of her eyes. I couldn't miss her omitting any kind of pronoun in her answer.

"Cool. And oh yeah," Zachary said, his eyes all on Eli as he pulled out a pen from his pocket. "You left this. Must've dropped it?"

"Thanks Zachary," Eli replied, looking annoyed at herself. She raised a hand to take the pen from him but Zachary grabbed his hand away at the last second.

Zachary laughed. The idiot. "Where are you guys headed now?"

"Umm, getting something to eat before heading home," Eli answered, glancing at Sandra.

"Do you mind if I join you?"

"Sorry, Zachary. We're actually meeting my parents at the mall," Sandra said.

"That's cool. Maybe next time. See you tomorrow." Zachary took Eli's hand and placed the pen on it, closing her palm afterwards. He smiled before walking towards the doors.

"What?" Eli asked Sandra with wide eyes as soon as Zachary was out of earshot. Sandra was eyeing her back with a glare.

"What are you doing telling him our plans?" She slapped Eli's arm as she spoke.

"Ow. Are we really meeting your -"

"No. I just said that so he'll go away. I know you told Zachary Montgomery that you weren't interested, but to him it probably sounded like "not today" or "try again tomorrow."

Eli shrugged. "Zachary's fine, Sandra. He's been nothing but nice to me. Why do you hate him so much?"

Sandra stared at her. "I don't know. I just don't like him."

Eli shook her head. "You don't like anyone."

"That's not true! It's just him! He's...sleazy!"

"Thanks for calling my only other remaining friend, sleazy, Sandra."

Sandra rolled her eyes. "You deserve better. Fine. Zachary's nice but we both know who he used to date." She widened her eyes at Eli.

"Oh no. We're not going there," Eli replied, her own eyes open wide at Sandra.

"Whatever. Useless to talk about it. You don't date anyway so yeah. Let's go before I change my mind and decide to leave you here."

Eli laughed and together with Sandra, walked towards the main doors. I closed my locker after a few seconds, shaking my head. The girl was oblivious. Not that she was pretending she didn't know the attention was there; she was aware, just that she didn't think much of it. Going against the tide with that one too.

The next day at lunch, when I entered the cafeteria, I immediately spotted Eli and Sandra on a table, having what appeared to be an argument. Eli was frowning, her eyebrows knitted up together as she looked over at Sandra who was waving her arms wildly as she talked. I turned away to get a tray and my food and decided that I couldn't stand knowing what the hell they were talking about to have Eli look like that. It was just like that day at the restaurant.

"I just don't think that it's a good idea," Eli was saying as I approached their table.

"What's not good about it? It makes perfect sense!" Sandra replied. "You haven't been in ages! It's time for you to go out and -"

"Hey Kris."

It was Janey, blocking my view of the table I had my eyes on.

"Hey," I replied, completely taken aback by her sudden appearance.

"Would you like to sit with us?" she asked, motioning to a table full of people.

"Uh, sure," I heard myself say.

"Great," Janey answered with a smile. I noticed she was carrying a tray with her and a thick stack of paper on her other hand. I gestured for her tray and she looked at it in surprise then back to me again.

"It's alright," she laughed breathlessly. "I can manage."

"It's no problem," I said, taking the tray from her without waiting for any more protests.

"Okay," she said. "Thanks." Janey led the way to the table and I followed behind her carefully. "Posters for the concert on the 26th," she explained as she adjusted the papers on her arms. "We're putting them up later."

I nodded absentmindedly, feeling sweaty as we reached her table.

"Hey guys, this is Kris. He's in my Chem and History class with Ron," Janey said, nodding at the guy sitting directly in front of her. "He's new here. Also, it's Kris with a K, not C, without an H. Kris, meet Emma, Sarah, her boyfriend JD, George and Hanna, and of course, Ron." Janey pointed to each one as she rattled off names. They waved or said hi.

"Hey," I said as I dropped both mine and Janey's trays on the table. Janey mumbled another thanks when we sat down.

"Dude, you're tall!" George said, sizing me up. "What are you, six feet at least?"

"Six one," I replied automatically.

"Awesome. You play ball, I bet."

I shrugged casually. "Everyone plays ball."

"Not Ron," JD snickered, eyeing Ron pointedly.

"Hey! Leave me out of it!" Ron complained. "But I'm definitely not playing with him," he nodded at me, "He's gonna smash me."

"Well I am. Up for a game sometime?" JD asked and I heard the challenge in his voice.

"Uh-oh, JD's eyeing some competition here," George laughed again, nudging JD on the elbow.

"There's no competition unless I see it for myself." JD looked at me pointedly. I could see the girl beside her, Sarah, smiling with closed lips, shaking her head. "What do you say, Kris?"

It was stupid to agree but I did anyway. Couldn't resist it. I had to wipe that smirk off his face, didn't I? It was my duty or something. "I'm in."

"See you later then," JD said and I could tell he was sure he was going to pawn me. He had no idea who he was dealing with. No one knew, I thought to myself.

"So Kris," Emma said and I turned to pay attention to her, "Where are you originally from?"

"Somewhere near Magnolia but my mom's originally from here," I answered vaguely.

"It must be difficult to move on your last year..." Janey trailed off, looking at me curiously.

"It's fine. Lots of new things to see," I replied, starting on my food.

"So why the sudden move?" Sarah asked.

I shrugged. "Just some stuff."

I wasn't about to admit I was running away from something. Thankfully, no more awkward questions followed that one and lunch went smoothly. My social calendar was suddenly packed. Basketball after school. Party on Friday. Movie night over at Ron's house next week.

Mom will be pleased. Maybe I should bring them over sometime for evidence.

After school ended, I made sure to catch Eli before Sandra joined her. Unfortunately for me, she caught us instead.

"Eli?" I said as gently as I could as I approached her. Her head popped out of her locker and surprise immediately registered on her face.

"Hi," she mumbled, turning back to her locker to return some books.

"Did Eli build his police station yet?" I asked just as I rehearsed all throughout class.

She fidgeted with her bag and locker a bit before turning her attention to me.

"Umm. I'm not sure. I haven't checked his Lego city again. He probably already did. I'll look tonight and let you know," she said, her eyes steadily going downwards as she spoke.

"Yeah? Okay. So are you going home now?"

"Yeah. I'm just waiting for Sandra."

I nodded. "Need a ride?"

"Oh no," she shook her head, looking relieved, "Sandra took her car today. She's dropping me off at home."

I nodded again. "Well, anytime you need a ride, just tell me."

"Um. Thank you. But I - ah, you don't need to do that. It's fine."

"Really, it's fine Eli. You know you don't live far from me."

She shook her head. "We can always take the bus if Sandra doesn't bring her car."

"Why doesn't she bring her car every day?" I asked, frowning.

"She hates driving," Elizabeth replied, shuffling her feet, "and her boyfriend picks her up most of the time."

I started to nod but she spoke again. "Thanks for the offer anyway."

I smiled at her. "Offer still stands."

"Really, Kris. No need to -"

I opened my mouth to reply but someone else called her and we both turned towards the source of the voice.

"Eli! Sorry," Sandra said, her eyes flitting from me to Eli and back curiously. "Justin wouldn't shut up. Let's go? Unless you..."

Her eyebrows quirked up at me.

"Hi," I said, as Eli visibly glared at Sandra. "I think I met your books before you. Kris."

"Sandra," she replied, looking surprised as she took my hand and shook it. I tried to smile at her but I had a feeling it looked like I was constipated or something. Sandra eyed me curiously. "I heard JD and you guys were headed to his house?"

Damn. Right. I glanced at Eli but she had her back turned towards me. She was securing her locker.

Securing. Jeez. Where did my brain go when Eli was around?

"Yeah. You guys want to come?" I asked. I didn't know if the invitation was open but I said it anyway because I didn't know what else to say.

Sandra raised her eyebrows at me, looking smug. I knew exactly then that she was someone I shouldn't cross. "No thanks. But it's nice to finally meet you, Kris."

Finally?

"I think Zachary's already waiting at the parking lot," Sandra added, turning back to Eli.

"Zachary?" Eli asked, sounding confused. "Wh -"

What? Zachary?

"Yeah. Come on. He's waiting for you. Bye Kris!" Sandra said, raising one eyebrow at me before turning away. She pulled Eli with her and started walking towards the doors. She knew exactly what she was doing.

And she was right.

Why would Zachary be waiting for Eli? I frowned at her retreating back, thinking of something to say. Anything. I shouldn't even feel this way. I barely knew Eli for crying out loud!

For crying out loud?

Jeez.

Why was I feeling annoyed about Eli and Za - what changed in a day anyway? Sandra was against him the last time I heard her talking ab -

Oh hell. I was getting all worked up for nothing.

Guess it was a good thing I had a game to go to.

*********

A/N: Dedicated to MisteryMe13 for being an awesome reader; taking the time to read and your lovely comments! I appreciate it all. Thank you so much ♡