He was halfway through the book by the time school started again.
It was a romance book, and Tanner knew there was no way the boys would let him get away with reading a love book. He ended up taping a picture of a pistol onto the non-existent cover to hide it.

"Tanner, have you asked Liana what her schedule is? She skipped a year so maybe you two will have some classes together" his mother called. His mom was best friends with Liana's parents. They met in high school and have been friends ever since.

"No, she got a new number," Tanner lied. He was actually just too nervous to text or call her, he just didn't know what he would say.
But He did know that she skipped a grade, she was too smart not to.

"I can give it to you," his mother offered.

"I'm good, thanks. I'll figure it out today" He responded.

Tanner was hoping he had classes with her, maybe he'll get control of himself and maybe she'll get to know Tanner. The real Tanner that doesn't do whatever her brother says to.

Tanner grabbed his bag and headed out the door, just as his mom stopped him.

"Tanner, is this book yours? I didn't know you were in to reading. What's it about?" she asked.
"Uhh, yeah it's a good book. Just started it a few days ago." Tanner walked back and grabbed the book from his mother, "its, uhh,  just about pistols" he lied, "Umm well i got to go to school. Bye mom" he waved and walked out the door, ready to take on the day.

And maybe talk to Liana.

. . .

Four classes later, Tanner was walking around the commons area with his friends during lunch, and he hadn't seen Liana all day.
Until he followed his friends into the cafeteria.
He saw her in line for food and laughing with her friend. She was beautiful, even more beautiful than when she's glaring at him. Her brown hair was done in gorgeous waves and messily pulled half up into a clip. She was wearing ripped blue jeans with a purple top. Her hands were fidgeting and Tanner saw that she was twirling a ring between her fingers.

Every time Tanner looked at her, it felt like he fell in love all over again.

"Oooh, little Tanner boy has a crush" Michael taunted, catching Tanner staring at her.

"Lay off Michael. At least I have a chance at being loved back" Tanner snapped.

"I believe you just got roasted" James slapped Michael on the back as Michael rolled his eyes at Tanner.

"He didn't deny liking her," Michael pointed out.

"That's because I do like her, idiot," Tanner hissed.

"Then tell her. all the girls are falling for you, Why shouldn't she? You did say you have a chance of being liked back." James asked.

"She hates me. Liana hates me. I always tease her with her brother." Tanner admitted.

"Trust me, girls like it when we tease and are mean to them," Michael assured.

Tanner raised his eyebrows at him, giving him a look that said 'you're an idiot'

"What?" Michael asked, "it's true!"

"No no, Tanner has a point. Teasing only worked in elementary school. High school is a whole different story" James Pointed out.

The bell rang, Tanner took one more glance at Liana before heading to his class.

...

He walked into his seventh period class- math, giving up on the hope that he would have a class with Liana. He was in honors after all, there's no way Liana would skip a grade and do honors. It just didn't make sense.

The desks were arranged in three rows, Tanner walked to the last seat on the middle row.
The bell rang and the teacher walked to the front of the class. "Alright class, I'm Mr Wattkins and I will be your math teacher. We are going to have a joyous time here!" He exclaimed. Trent had described Mr Wattkins him as "a dollar store with regular pricing", So Tanner really wasn't looking forward to this class.

Tanner glanced around at the rest of the kids in his class. And that's when he saw her.

Liana was in the row in front of him, drawing in her notebook. Tanner could make out a pencil drawing of a dragon breathing fire.
Guess drawing is one of her hidden talents, he thought.

He watched her pencil move confidently across her notebook. Her eyes were on the page, but every so often she would glance up and look around, then go back to her drawing. Tanner saw the dragon slowly come to life with detail.

"Liana, why don't you answer?" Mr Wattkins called on her.

"I don't know, '' Liana answered without looking up.

"Come on Liana, You were smart enough to be in this class, you should know the answer. Just think for a second"

Liana put down her pencil and looked Mr Wattkins straight in the eye, "I have been thinking. Did You ever stop to think about why I wasn't raising my hand? It's because I don't know." Tanner saw that she was twirling her ring again, "Not everyone comes in here knowing everything perfectly off the top of their head. There's a reason I said I don't know. If you want me to learn, then teach me"

That's all it took. Tanner would never love anyone else.

Her answer shocked the room into silence. Even Mr Wattkins was speechless.

Tanner saw rage forming onto Mr Wattkins face. He knew the teacher was going to flip out on Liana. Tanner remembered Trent mentioning a few times that when Mr Wattkins got mad, it wasn't pretty.

Maybe this was his chance, Tanner raised his hand "Mr Wattkins"

"Yes tanner?" His face relaxed a tiny bit.
Tanner realized he didn't know what the question was. He glanced towards the board to see if he could get an idea.

It said

If squirrels have terminal velocity and can't fall at more than 20 mph, how high does a squirrel have to fall from in order to die?

Squirrels? Why was he asking about squirrels?

"Umm well if squirrels have terminal velocity and can't fall at more than 20 mph, they can't die from falling. They would have to fall for a long enough time to starve to death" Tanner answered.

Mr Wattkins nodded in approval and all the tension in his expression disappeared.  "Yes, very good Tanner." Then he moved on, talking about expectations and himself.

Liana turned around to face Tanner and mouthed "thank you" and gave him a small smile.

Butterflies filled his stomach, he smiled back and nodded a Your Welcome.

As he walked home, he decided that was the best first day he'd had.