I lean back on my chair, staring at Kite. I had to admit, it was tough arguing with him all the time, and I really just wanted it to stop.

But he made me feel horrible, he made me feel like the world was going to end. Why else would I get up and leave an assembly?

Him. It was all him.

Kite looks back at me. I don't see how else we could live without hating each other.

"What are we doing for the problem then?" He asks, coughing nervously. He did that a lot, I notice.

I shrug. "Whatever you want."

Kite sighs. "Can you make at least one decision?"

It's my turn to sigh. I really hated every moment of this, and for 2 months? Might as well put me in my grave.

"Fine." I groan, pulling out my phone. Because of the 2 month project, Y11s were allowed our phones out in school, when we were in school, and I was not going to waste this opportunity.

I go to Google, and search up 'world problems'. A lot of ideas come up, but I scroll past them. I give up, and place my phone down.

"Maybe we should just do animals." I state, looking back at Kite.

He runs a hand through his hair.

Disgusting, my brain immediately thinks.

Hot, my mind thinks.

"Animals." He says blankly.

I snort. "Yeah, you heard me right. Animals."

Kite makes a face. "That's a bit broad."

"And what? It's a 45 minute presentation." I argue.

"And what would we do with animals?"

I sigh. "Habitat loss, animal experimenting, poaching." I list.

"Ah." Kite says. I snort at that.

He eventually nods. "Alright."

I nearly snort again. "You're so dry."

He glares at me. "So?"

"So it's boring!" I exclaim. Kite just shakes his head.

I sigh. "You know we don't have to stay here."

"Where would we go?"

"Ashfield Mall?"

"Nah." He shakes his head. "I'm going at the weekend."

"What." I say in shock. My face freezes.

"If you want to go to the mall with me, you can just say." Kite smirks.

"No, no!" I shake my head violently. "You're going at the weekend?" Kite nods nervously. "With who?" I ask quickly.

No. He can't ruin my weekend as well.

"The boys."

I let out a small sigh of relief. At least his family wouldn't be there.

But he would still be there.

I slam my head down on the table. Always. All the time, fate drew me and Kite together. Why? We hated each other?

"What?" Kite asks nervously.

"I'm going to the mall at the weekend with my friends." I say blankly.

He groans. "What is up with this?"

"Asking me like I know." I mumble.

"Okay, sorry, I was just thinking." Kite jabs at me.

"Next time think in your head." I mutter, lifting my head up and resting it on my hands. I look out the window. I see Lola and Maya, about to walk out of the school gates. I didn't want to envy my friends, but I couldn't stop the feelings coming through. Lola and Maya were lucky, they got to be with each other, and I knew Alina was happy to be with Rocky.

No, happy was an understatement. She was absolutely ecstatic. When she heard her name and Rocky's getting called out together, she pinched my arm so tight. I still have an ugly bruise.

I sigh. Of course it was always me with the bad luck, every single time. Why?

Why?

I touch my pimple self-consciously. It still hasn't gone, despite the amount of times I'd scrubbed it with face wash. I want to cry. My friends were so pretty. They enjoyed life. I wish I could be like them.

They didn't have to always be conscious of dirty looks, of people staring at my family whenever we went out, throwing tomatoes and other stuff at our car if they saw us drive past. I wasn't even allowed to keep my window down.

"You alright?" A voice shakes me out of my deep thoughts.

I jump in shock. I turn around. Kite had spoken to me. Who knew how long he was staring at me.

His stare is penetrating. I can't do this. I cannot.

"Um, y-yeah." I stutter. I have never ever stuttered in my life before.

What is happening to me?

Kite just stares at me, like he knows something is wrong. I look at my hands, fiddling with my rings. I pinch my eyes close together, so no tears come out.

When I'm ready, I look back up at Kite. I give him a small smile, to which a shocked expression comes on his face.

Maybe I was being too harsh on him.

"We really don't have to stay here." I say, wiping my eye.

"Any other places you have in mind?" Kite says softly. It's too much for me; I can't think of Kite as nice.

"Terry's?" I suggest. It's a small cafe close to where I live, and I'm friends with one of the workers there. Additionally, the food is also amazing.

Kite nods. "Whatever you want." He runs a hand through his hair again. I watch the movement with my eyes.

Hm.

Kite gets up. I get up as well, and bend down to pick up my bag. I turn around to face Kite, and he looks up at my face quickly, a slight blush coming in his face.

Sexy.

Okay, that was too far.

I walk out of the library, and this time I hold open the door for Kite. He nods at me in thanks.

We walk down the flight of stairs in silence, and then we exit school. Across the road, I spot Rocky and Alina.

"Ali!" I shout. She turns her head round and waves at me. I can just about see her raise her eyebrows at Rocky, and smile a cheeky smile. I roll my eyes at her.

I watch Kite smirk at Rocky, who's clearly embarrassed.

Looks like I wasn't the only one who shipped Rocky and Alina.

I wave goodbye at Alina, and Rocky, and begin to walk down the road. Kite follows me.

Still we walk in silence. I mean it's better than arguing, I think.

We finally reach Terry's. It's duck blue front matches with the cold of the winter air, yet inside you can see the welcoming warmness.

I open the door, and Kite catches it this time, without me having to hold it open for him.

"Wow." He says, looking around.

I realise he has never been here before, since it opened a year after he left.

I point at a bench against a window, fluffy cushions screaming out at me to go sit down at them. "Let's sit there." I say, and Kite nods.

We head over there, and I plop down, sighing in relief. Kite gives me a look.

"Shut up." I say. "A girl needs her comfort."

"Sure." Kite grumbles.

I sigh. I take out the menu on the table and hand it to him. "Tell me what you want and I'll order."

"I don't want anything." Kite says awkwardly.

"Are you sure?" I look at him. Kite nods quickly. I see what the problem is. Surprisingly, he's easy to read. "You don't need to worry about paying, I have money."

Kite shakes his head quickly. "I can't take your money."

Quite the gentleman he was.

I snort. "Shut up and decide what you want."

Kite glares at me. "Fine, but I'm going to pay you back."

I shrug. "Whatever makes you feel better." He gives me another glare, and then looks back at the menu. He then places it back on the table and points at what he wants.

A caramel hot chocolate.

"You don't strike me as the type who'd want that." I smirk.

"Yeah, because you know me so well." Kite fires back. That keeps me quiet.

"Whatever." I roll my eyes, and the get up to go to the counter.

There's a line of people, so I stand and wait patiently. I look over at Kite. He's on his phone. I watch his curly hair flop over his face, it's brown colour standing out against the muted tones of the walls behind him.

Wow.

He really was something.

The line diminishes quickly, so I step forward. A familiar face greets me at the counter.

"Phoenix?!" I say, shocked he was here. He usually works in the kitchen or as a waiter. Not at the till.

"My favourite friend's sister." Phoenix smiles, smoothing his blonde hair back. He's Luke's friend, and he hangs out at our house all the time, so obviously I speak to him. He's actually amazing. He's so nice.

"What can I get for you today, Dove?" He flashes a smile at me.

"A caramel hot chocolate and an iced chocolate mocha, please." I recite.

"All for you, my darling." Phoenix says. Considering he was the same age as my brother, he kind of spoke like a 40 year old man, but ah well. "Didn't realise you were so thirsty today."

"No, I'm with someone else." I smile.

"Ahh, I see how it is." Phoenix winks at me.

"It's not like that." I roll my eyes.

"If you say so." Phoenix smiles. "I'll bring your stuff over."

"Thank you." I say. I hand him over the money, and then go back to sit with Kite.

He doesn't look up from his phone, so I just sit and stare ahead, humming to myself. Quickly, the drinks arrive.

Fast service from Phoenix, as always.

"Here you are, my darling." Phoenix flashes his signature smile.

"Thank you." I say. I take the drinks and give Kite his hot chocolate. I turn back round to say goodbye to Phoenix, when I see his mouth hanging open.

"What's he doing here." Phoenix says blankly, all trace of his happiness gone.

"You know the 2 month project? I got partnered with him." I say wearily.

"Ah." Phoenix says shortly. Kite has put his phone down and is staring back at Phoenix. Phoenix looks at me, and the flashes his smile again. "Well, my darling, if you need anything, tell me."

"Thanks." Phoenix glances at Kite one more time and then walks away.

"Sorry about that." I sigh.

Kite shrugs. "I don't care, to be honest."

"Really?" I look at him surprised.

"Mhm." He nods. "I care more about the fact that you're having an iced mocha in midwinter."

I laugh. The first time in ages.

Oh my gosh.

Kite Maddox made me laugh.

What is happening to me?

"Iced mochas are leng, no matter the season." I shrug.

Kite just gives me look, however it's not unfriendly.

Things were getting interesting.