My favourite sound. The ADCCG bell. Yay!

Once again it interrupts my reading of The House of the Scorpion.

I was at Chapter 12, where Tom forces Matt to discover 'the thing at the hospital.'

Why does class always end when I'm at the good parts?

I stand up and walk to the cafeteria. I am proud to say that I can now navigate my way to and from my classroom and the cafeteria.

Sadie and I get line for food talking about El Patrón and his plans.

I grab a tray and load it with a turkey sandwich, cucumber slices, an apple and chips. Paige joins Sadie and I as we head to the table, the two of them starting an argument about whether Celia has good intentions or not. Paige thinks she's just a pawn in some mastermind plan, Sadie thinks she is the mastermind.

As the two of them discuss these possibilities, I see Aria, carrying a tray with nothing but a small salad on it.

I am struck with the urge to go over and see how she's doing, but I can already tell that Tess will be judgemental of her. I don't want to not sit with the gang of friends we seem to have assembled.

I continue to watch Aria as she sits down beside the '55 boy with the speech impairment.

Hmm. Interesting pair.

Just as this crosses my mind, I walk straight into a table of 19 year olds, drawn in '51 and '52.

I turn bright red. "Oh. Uh-uh. I- Sorry." I look at the 19 year olds, assuming they'll be laughing at me. They're not. One of them is looking at me with a quizzical expression. He almost looks familiar.

"Mitchel?" I ask, at the same time he asks, "Amber?"

"Yeah." I say. Mitchel gets up and hugs me. I awkwardly hug him back.

"How was Tasha?" He asks me.

"She was alright. Really sad."

"Yeah..." He says, trailing off. Then he looks to his friends. "Guys, this is Amber. We're both from Manitoba. My little sister was her best friend."

There's a chorus of Hi Ambers.

Mitchel and I stand awkwardly for a little longer.

"Well," I say. "I better go. See you around."

"Yeah. See you Amber."

I head back over to my table.

"Who was that?" Dave asks.

"He's hot!" Tess chimes in.

Oliver looks up. "Ex boyfriend?"

Tristan slaps him upside the head. "Idiot! They hugged!"

"Were you guys spying?" I joke.

"Yup. Shamelessly." Dawn smiles.

"His name is Mitchel. He was drawn five years ago. He's my bestfriend's brother. Anything else you need to know?"

"Is he single?"

"Really Tess? How would I know? This is the first time I've seen him in five years!"

"Girls. It's okay," Tristan says, sensing tension.

Our table goes quiet. After a moment Dave restarts a conversation, but Tess and I stay quiet. I don't know what just happened between us. She was getting in my nerves, like she sometimes does, but this time, I just snapped.

+++

It's evening free time now, and things between Tess and I are still really awkward.

I head into the large main common room and take a seat on a couch by myself. This is the first time I've actually been alone today, and it feels good.

I'm thinking about whatever happened back there between Tess and I, when someone calls my name.

"Amber! Come 'ere!"

I look around the room. When I see Mitchel, he motions for me to come over to where him and his friends are.

I slowly stand up, and head over to Mitchel and his friends.

"Hey," I say meekly as I walk up to Mitchel's group of friends.

"Hey Amber. I wanted to you to meet my friends."

I nod.

"This is Eve, and Trey, and..."

Names and faces blur together as Mitchel introduces me to his friends.

"And last but not least, my girlfriend, Kendra."

"Hi," Kendra gives a little wave.

I smile shyly at her.

"Amber, I just wanted to let you know that if you need anything thing here, I'm always around. You're kind of like my second little sister," he says with a boyish grin.

I smile again, this time a big genuine one.

"Thanks Mitchel."

"No problem Amber. Go have fun with your friends."

I head back to my couch, and see that Daniel has taken a seat there. Do I want to go sit with him?

I look around the room. Tess is flirting with Oliver, and none of my other friends are here.

Okay, I guess I'll go sit with Daniel.

I'm still confused from truth or dare night. I don't know if he likes me. And what if I have a crush on him?

"Hey Amber," Daniel says, moving over on the couch.

I sit down. "Hi."

"How's it going?" He asks me.

"Pretty good. You?" Wow. This is basically how all my awkward text conversations with Jackson started.

"I'm doing well," Daniel tells me.

I don't know what to say, so I just don't say anything. Great strategy, I know.

Daniel looks at Tess, boldly flirting with Oliver.

"You think she likes him?" He asks.

"Nice observation Sherlock."

Daniel sighs. "Just trying to make conversation, Amber. Jeez."

"Can you make conversation without making the most stupid and obvious statements known to mankind?" I snap.

Daniel looks at me, stunned.

I realize what I've just said. "Daniel, I am so sorry. I don't know what's wrong with me today. I've been snappy at everyone." I apologize.

"Your time of the month?" He jokes.

I blush. "Shut up."

+++

Free time is over now, and Tess and I are getting ready for bed in our room.

"He's got a girlfriend by the way," I tell her.

Tess nods. "Sorry if I was being really annoying like that. I felt bad. I used to be like that all the time at home. Total QB, 24/7. I'm trying to ditch those ways though. I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have snapped at you like that. I did the same to Daniel a little while ago. I don't know what's gotten into me."

"Your time of the month?" Tess jokes.

I groan. "If I hear someone tell me that one more time...ugh!"

"Time of the month!" Tess sings. "Amber's time of the month! La la la la! Time of the month!"

Lee and Marigold clearly her Tess's singing and pop their heads in our room.

"Someone's time of the month?" Marigold asks.

"You guys need anything?" Lee asks us.

"No," I say. "We're good. Tess just needs to shut up."

"Okay," Marigold smiles. The pair leaves, and Tess and I dissolve into a fit of giggles.

Once we settle down, Tess speaks. "In all seriousness, who else said that to you? Is there any but kicking for me to do?"

"Daniel was teasing me after I apologized. It's all good."

"Ohh Daniel! He totally has the hots for you Amber!"

I groan. "Tess!" I complain.

"Love ya!"

"What about Oliver?" I ask.

"I don't know if he's interested." She says.

"Hmm," I nod.

"I'm getting tired, wanna turn off the lights?"

"Yeah. Goodnight Tess."

"Night Amber."

+++