I search the hallways and turn every corridor, looking for him, but he was nowhere to be found. I didn't stop wandering around the school like a lost puppy until I recognized a familiar face.1002Please respect copyright.PENANARhTO6ZcYee
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"Hey, D, have you seen Ryan?" Perhaps he wasn't my best option since he's not exactly my biggest fan right now for some unknown reason. But still, he was the only option I got at the moment.1002Please respect copyright.PENANArF7RQwcFPW
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"Nicole."1002Please respect copyright.PENANAZNyhlFD8j9
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"Okay, I know you hate me right now, but can just help me out here?"1002Please respect copyright.PENANArU5avXI9NN
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"I don't hate you."1002Please respect copyright.PENANAgSubUTg9bx
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"Oh, yeah, evidently. Just answer me with 'yes' or 'no'," I was in no mood to this thing again, where we argue about non-existent issues between us.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAXAnkOrnaKV
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"No, I haven't seen him all day."1002Please respect copyright.PENANAs3ahjTgd9s
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"Alright, thanks, I start to walk away before I feel a tug on my shirt. I see a different look on Dylan's face then, on that holds somehow regret—I'm not sure. He opened his mouth to talk but closed it again without saying a word and turns back to his locker.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAyCb9NKry2G
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"What?" I ask, but he keeps his back turned to me. "What is it, D?"1002Please respect copyright.PENANAqncAyRLbfZ
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After a few moments of intense silence, he turns around and suddenly wraps his arms around me. I was shocked by the gesture at first but eventually relaxed under his hold.1002Please respect copyright.PENANA1wXOQ4zeMm
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"I miss you," he murmurs in my shoulder. We stay like that for a few seconds till I notice everyone's eyes on us.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAQeuevLGT1D
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I push him away, "Come one, you know I hate hugs."1002Please respect copyright.PENANAX5Yv2jAmdn
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He smiles at me and right then, I know we were back to normal.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAXqlHjS6Tzz
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"Listen, can we just forget about whatever happened between us?" H says.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAIvsowNsZoX
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"What happened?" I ask in a forgetful manner. He chuckles but still keeps that guilty look on his face. He looks at the ground and says, "I'm sorry for everything I said to you, Nicole."1002Please respect copyright.PENANAn10qFJjLAT
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"What did you say?" I asked again, bringing a genuine, relieved smile back to his face. I did miss him these past few days as well.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAiWqHPpEyXp
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Chemistry was my first class today, which I share with Will, Jordan, and Kyle. Mr. Fisher gave us some weird equation and some things we have to calculate then went to read a book on his desk. Nothing made sense to me, so I just decided not to try. Kyle looked just as hopeless, rolling his pencil on his desk with one hand while he rests his cheek on the palm of the other. He looks at me and pokes his tongue out, and I do the same back to him. I know, we're more mature than three-year-olds. Jordan, on the other hand, seemed focused on his paper, writing something with a serious face. Although he looks like it, I doubt he's actually solving the questions.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAZ3ATiZ4q9b
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Will kept playing with my hair the whole time although I kept telling him not to. I turn to him for the fifth time, "Stop playing with my hair!"1002Please respect copyright.PENANAQuSIuOw9qa
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"I'm not playing with it," he argues.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAOQs1h7Kqak
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"Yeah, of course," I feel a knot at the ends of my hair, and I try to untangle it, "What were you trying to do?"1002Please respect copyright.PENANAZicg1vJxay
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"I tried braiding it, and it seems like I did a pretty decent job," he leans back in his chair with a proud expression.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAMPesDIU7Vb
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"Yeah, thanks," I say sarcastically and try fixing my hair. I brush it quickly with my hand then twist it in a quick bun and cover it with my hat. I point my index finger at him warningly, "Don't." And he simply smiles at me with amusement.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAFlOoxDyDFU
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Jordan puts his pencil down and observes his work with pride and confidence. I still don't think they're the answers to the questions. HE grins at me and shows me his masterpiece.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAvVgV802tny
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He drew what looked like somebody's ass with underwear. He pointed an arrow at it with the label: Fisher's Panty Liner. I couldn't help the unattractive snort that came out of me when I saw what he drew. Behind me, Will was laughing quietly, and Kyle snatched the paper from Jordan to just laugh at it even more.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAlGgEee5acY
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In every group of friends, there's this one friend that has the loudest and weirdest laugh of the bunch. And in our group, that friend is Kyle. With his laughter, he caught the attention of the whole class, including Mr. Fisher.1002Please respect copyright.PENANASAKjndyhwm
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"Hey, there, four of you!" Mr. Fisher yelled from his desk. We go silent immediately, but the smiles stay plastered on our faces. "Did you finish solving?"1002Please respect copyright.PENANARcumTe7jjM
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No one answers.1002Please respect copyright.PENANA6YrCjWZSvc
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"What's that paper, Jordan?" He asks, walking towards us, making me start laughing again when I notice it. His panty liner was clearer than ever, and couldn't control myself.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAbkNLLEMyoL
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"Nothing," Jordan quickly shoves the crumpled paper under his desk.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAWzaLsIoz1C
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"Show me," the teacher stretches out his hand to take the paper. Jordan looks at all of us for help, but being the great friends we are, we all ignored him.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAS6Qw8pBVFz
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Mr. Fisher's face changes color when he sees the paper. While he examines it with horror, Jordan gives us the finger for ignoring him.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAcQlNs5QulY
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"All four of you will stay after school for detention," Mr. Fisher decides, crumpling back the paper.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAVO9enIMd8A
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"Excuse me!"1002Please respect copyright.PENANANrJS6FiH5z
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"What? Why?"1002Please respect copyright.PENANAcwaNe3EXZP
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"What the hell, man?!"1002Please respect copyright.PENANAk1KkfKIK3w
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And with that being said, I got involved in something I completely had nothing to do with. Third day and I already got a detention. Mom would've been proud.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAaPj8owHkO5
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I had math with Denise, Charlotte (one of the twins), and supposedly Ryan, who showed up 10 minutes late to class. Mr. Hamilton gave him a tardiness slip and warned him not to repeat it. He sits next to me, and I couldn't keep my patience, especially when he doesn't even say 'Hi' or look at me.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAVQZYBiO2Op
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"Hey," I whisper. "Hey, Ryan!" I kick his chair, and he looks at me questioningly.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAKmDPyFOH8r
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"Why did you did you leave early yesterday?"1002Please respect copyright.PENANAirD8gkhd2q
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"I had an emergency," he answers vaguely.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAa7lDfLp7Wu
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"What kind?"1002Please respect copyright.PENANAFwzzRI2uW3
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"Just an emergency, alright?" He looks away and pretends to listen to the lesson.1002Please respect copyright.PENANA24zp7TSGz9
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Alright? What the fuck? I might be nosy, but I'm only nosy when it comes to people I care about. And if he's annoyed by it, then he can kiss my ass for all I care, alright? I look at him in disbelief then huff in annoyance. Denise notices and shrugs her shoulders at me.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAy14B5Mc7js
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While I put my things in my locker to go to the cafeteria, Ryan waits for me. I close my locker to give him a straight face, "What do you want?"1002Please respect copyright.PENANAXyRZdxdeTf
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"I didn't think that would upset you, I'm sorry," he says, leaning against the lockers.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAvzBK6qvmEI
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"Neither did I, alright?" I speed up towards the cafeteria.1002Please respect copyright.PENANA0ycncDXwgC
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"Please, Shadow, don't be like that," he tries again, following me as I get my lunch. "Are you still mad"?1002Please respect copyright.PENANANWKgstAIm9
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"I'm fine, alright?"1002Please respect copyright.PENANAsvA8xDLule
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He follows me to the table, where all my friends, excluding Amber, are sitting. He sits without an invitation. No one complains though, but rather gives him looks of his own. I dig into my sandwich, not bothering to do any sort of introduction or whatever.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAwGZbHx4HMi
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"Ryan," Cody starts. "So you're Nic's boyfriend?"1002Please respect copyright.PENANARNpj4XmUON
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"Yes, I am—"1002Please respect copyright.PENANA8lQJHWETq4
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"Really are you?" I ask him with a challenging look. He frowns at me while everyone else raises his eyebrows in confusion. I roll my eyes and huff for the second time today.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAN3DCvLkgM0
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"Okay," Cody smiles faintly and starts cracking his knuckles. Oh, I know what's coming next. It's Cody's time to shine, gentlemen. "Nicole looks mad, so tell me, Hastings, what have you done to piss her off?"1002Please respect copyright.PENANALToiHbojwQ
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"Man, I haven't done anything," Ryan raises both his hands in immediate surrender.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAjRhan0mA8X
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"Well, she's not on her period, and it's clear it has something to do with you, so speak up. What happened between you two?"1002Please respect copyright.PENANAVw1OTlGx5U
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"Why don't you ask her?"1002Please respect copyright.PENANAWHFxLyXNmm
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"Don't tell him what to do," Kyle points his finger at him threateningly. Well, they sure are enjoying this.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAWwEtrijQeV
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"Also, we're the only ones who ask the questions here," Cody retorts.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAx87TRiwOTG
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"Listen, dude, we're sure that Nic can deal with you on her own, but we'll be watching you," Jordan says, and moves his pinky and index from his own eyes to Ryan's.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAhWsOgMfYOd
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"Yeah, whatever," Ryan says in confusion. I chuckle then look at him to find him staring at me. I stop smiling quickly and raise an eyebrow then look away. Will like he was enjoying this as well from the other side of the table.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAM3Em5u4lPE
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"Alright, kids, here's this week's news," Denise's voice echoes through the cafeteria. She and Tammy, the school's journalist, walk around to distribute the school's weekly magazine.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAfTyCnLCb3F
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"Gentlemen and Nicole, here you go," Tammy passes around copies for everyone. Once I get mine, I notice the good quality of the magazine. I flip through it till I found a golden page with a picture of me on the right side of it. The headline said boldly, "Nicole Shadow: Everyone's Type."1002Please respect copyright.PENANAS24Rdj8V0s
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Okay, really?1002Please respect copyright.PENANATN0cxUIkbk
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"So what do you think of the headline, Nicole?" Tammy asked. She was a short blonde, who wore glasses that covered pretty, green eyes. She wore a blue skater skirt, a white button-down shirt, and a pink cardigan on top, matched with floral ballerinas. She wore girly, sweet, and innocent. Her hair was up in a bun properly, and she couldn't look any more suitable for her job.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAu7cR0rlYdJ
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"Quite clever," I just got weak by her looks I couldn't tell her the truth.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAIwvVWUREyn
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"I like mine as well," Will said, which attracts Tammy's attention like a magnet.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAv89rhdCTHr
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"Will Allen: Miraculously single," I read aloud. Again, really?1002Please respect copyright.PENANACR69RT7xir
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"I'm so glad you like it, Will," Tammy brushes a strand of hair behind her ear. Never mind my impression of her.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAVCOUF4RNUS
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Will and I start reading lines from our articles that basically compliment either our features or personalities. Tammy wrote pretty good stuff about me, especially this one specific line:1002Please respect copyright.PENANAuu3avL84M0
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She doesn't need mo dress or no heels to walk the hallways like a star. With just a flip of her hair, she'll be rocking down the liberty walk like no one else.1002Please respect copyright.PENANA5j4pK8mZjS
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No wiser words can ever be said.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAzn5jOnwxmK
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"Well, listen up, star," Will clears his throat then reads, "The temperature's been rising lately, and it's getting hotter every day. Why? Will Allen, ladies. It's Will Allen keeping all of us steaming up and hot af."1002Please respect copyright.PENANA4AlLvbyTCK
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"Isn't it just weird when you read praises of you out loud?" Tyler asks.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAcIeg0rdKLi
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"Yo, Nic, check this out," Jordan shows me a picture on the second page of—1002Please respect copyright.PENANA8nkZugXIrz
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"What the fuck?" I look in shock at the picture then at Tammy and Denise, "What the fuck?"1002Please respect copyright.PENANAYgcelfx652
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"What?" Denise asks innocently.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAswIMlG9qlX
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"What is this picture?" I point at the picture of me and Ryan kissing on my desk. That was on my first day in math when Ryan kissed me in front of the whole class. I had no idea people took pictures. This ain't Gossip Girl.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAQ0Xn39S1hy
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"Oh, this? What's wrong with it?" Denise asks, and Tammy starts walking away.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAZkTX9FMp0g
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"Who took this? Tammy?"1002Please respect copyright.PENANArCVdiGoCuG
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"Believe me, I don't know. It was sent anonymously," she talked quickly and nervously.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAu3vITQeAgF
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"...she got the legend Ryan Hastings already hooked up even before stepping into the building like a boss," I read silently what was written next to the picture. Oh my God! People will actually read this.1002Please respect copyright.PENANA8X0KGOwSIn
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"Does the principal know about this?" I ask.1002Please respect copyright.PENANA420Xs5JqIe
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"Of course, he gets the first copy, and he loves it," Denise says.1002Please respect copyright.PENANAbw5eHKMjeY
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In the "coming soon" section were all the coming events of the school. The first one on the list was the next week's basketball game. The Fall Festival was also there on the list.1002Please respect copyright.PENANA4l6wb3fi6t
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"Our game is next week. You guys ready?" Dylan declares.1002Please respect copyright.PENANArEIMZjWwnF
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"Yes, captain!" Jordan and Tyler say in sync.1002Please respect copyright.PENANANAosAKO3u9
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"So don't miss today's practice, fellas," Dylan says, "You, too, Ryan."1002Please respect copyright.PENANAcNCJe3qbrY
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Ryan's also a member of the team. Look at that, one more thing I don't know about my boyfriend.
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