It's been a week since the library incident. Ray and I kept our word and chose not to talk about it all. So we were just interacting like normally: passive-aggressively criticizing each other.

"So, for the start of our trimester, we will be doing a group project on War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy," our literature teacher, Mr. Leslie said. Half of us groaned. I mean, seriously?! It's only been seven days since our break and we suddenly have another project.

"I know class, you all hate me now," he stated. "But in addition, I will be assigning groups, and the criteria are three people each, with one I know you work well with, and one I think you can start associating with yourself more."

That doesn't seem that bad. I feel like I could cooperate pretty easily with my fellow classmates. I sat up straight, waiting for my name to be said.

"Norman, Don, and Emma will be group 1," he started. "Gilda, Anna, and Nat will be group 2."

Thirty seconds passed. My name hasn't been called yet, and I started getting worried.

"And for group 6. "(f/n), Ray, and (y/n)," he said. Of course. I looked to my left.

"(y/n)! We're in the same group!" (f/n) whispered next to me. "And with Ray too!"

"Yay," I replied unenthusiastically. Why does this always happen to me? Especially after all the stuff that happened between me and Ray, such as my sister's party, karaoke, Christmas Eve, and now the library.

Our teacher's statement about one person we could work with and one we could start interacting with really shines here.

But we decided to just pretend that never happened, so I pray that nothing weird occurs.

"Alright, now that our groups are assembled, please make a plan with your partners of how'll you'll do your project," Mr. Leslie said. "You will be doing a slide presentation on one particular topic that interests you."

Ok, that doesn't seem that hard. Academically, both (f/n) and Ray are up there, including me. We can do this in three days if we're not distracted. But because it's (f/n), Ray, and me, this project will probably take at least a week.

"Ray!" (f/n) called. He was all the way on the other side, so he picked up his chair and placed it across us. "So, first of all, has anyone read War and Peace before?"

Both Ray and I raised our hands before narrowing our eyes at each other. "It was in my honor's lit class in freshman year," I answered.

"I read it for AP literature for sophomore year," Ray said after me.

"Ha! Guess I'm smarter than you in classic novels," I said. Now that we don't somehow fall into each other's arms, we were always trying to one-up the other person.

"Please, Advanced Placement actually merits more for college," he replied. I was about to answer back when I felt (f/n)'s hands on our foreheads.

"Guys, don't fight," she said. "I haven't read War and Peace yet, and one to two-year gaps is quite a long time. So if we all have a copy, why don't we read together?"

I stared daggers at Ray before answering. "I'm fine with that, how about you, Hot Topic?"

"Oh, someone's being a little obsessed with me," he said. "Didn't know we were that far to be calling each other nicknames."

"Obsessed with you? As if," I answered back.

"Okay," (f/n) said. "(y/n) can we meet up at your place today?"

I nodded. "Sure."

Ray nodded as well. "So it's settled." (f/n) said. We stood up, getting ready for our next class.

"If you didn't know, I was already in AP History and English class so I didn't wanna take another one, you weirdo."

He hummed in response before moving back his chair. "Well see you after school, (y/n)."

I didn't reply to his goodbye.

We all met in front of the school. "My home is just a walk's away, but we'll have to pick up my little sister from her elementary school," I said.

(f/n) and Ray nodded. We all started traveling to my sister's school, which was pretty near.

A couple of minutes later, we arrived. "Wait here," I said. I walked into the building and found my sister's class, 3E. She was in third grade, so her school ends the same time mine does. I greeted her teacher in the front.

"Hi, for Lily?" I asked politely. Her teacher in the front asked me to sign something and my sister came through the door. She waved at me with her little hand.

"Today we painted flowers," she stated, showing me her artwork. I smiled and praised her.

"Very nice, like your name," I complimented. "Today, you'll be meeting someone for the first time, so be nice, okay?"

She listened and nodded. "Okay."

We walked out her school and met up with my group members.

"How's my little lilypad?" (f/n) said, picking her up and spinning her. (f/n) and Lily have a very close relationship.

"Is she your sister?" I heard Ray whisper next to me. So far, Lily hasn't noticed him. She has a very short attention span.

"Yep," I answered. We were now on our way home, as (f/n) and Lily talked about her school day.

After a few minutes of much needed quietness, she broke the silence.

"(y/n), is he your boyfriend?" Lily asked curiously. We all looked at her in surprise. (f/n) stifled a laugh, Ray's cheeks went red, and I resisted the urge to shove my sister in a trash bag.

"No, he is not, and never will be," I replied firmly. Her head tilted in confusion. Out of all the things you had to say, you ask this.

"Oh, really?" she asked. "But I thought he was your escort at Delilah's party," she stated. You just had to bring that up, too. I saw Ray glance at me. I closed my eyes tightly and opened them. Someone kill me now.

"Lily, we're not dating," I said once more. She seemed unsatisfied with this answer. "We're doing a group project, that's all."

"So I guess he's (f/n)'s boyfriend," she guessed. No, no, no, no, no. "Wow he looks like an anime character," Lily said to (f/n) as she shook her head frantically. "He's not for you either?"

"Do you, know what a boyfriend is?" (f/n) asked cautiously. We were almost home.

"A boy who's a friend," Lily answered. "I wasn't born yesterday, you know."

Lily, you just made me suffer three weeks of embarrassment for no reason.

"That makes a lot of sense," (f/n) replied, nodding. "So in this case, yes, he is (y/n)'s boyfriend."

I looked at (f/n) so quick and she just smiled at me. Ray is probably so confused right now. I looked at him and his hands were covering his face. Lily held (f/n)'s hand joyfully. I am going to lock all three of them down in my basement for eternity.

A minute later, Ray broke the quietness.

"So, your name is Lily," Ray started as she looked at him. "That's an interesting name."

For thirty-seconds, she just stared at him, inspecting his whole outfit and everything.

"Mom told me not to talk to strangers," she cut him off. "And even if your (y/n)'s boyfriend, I can't trust you yet, sorry."

"Who taught you to be such a smartass?" I asked, kind of proud of her.

"You did," she replied, pointing at me. "And mister, you need to learn your place. You're a mere peasant in my eyes right now."

Lily always treats people she never met like flies. They could drop dead and she wouldn't give a second glance.

"Okayyy," he answered. He reached into his bookbag. "Here," he said, offering a cookie.

"What's that?" Lily asked skeptically, looking at it like it carried germs.

"A cookie," he said like it was obvious. It kinda was, so I don't know why Lily didn't take it yet. She did learn to not take candy from strangers, so it almost made sense.

"I know it's a cookie, but what flavor?" she asked, crossing her arms.

"Oh, my bad, chocolate chip," Ray answered. She hummed and took the dessert. She nibbled it thoughtfully. I saw her eyes widen. In one go, she finished the entire thing. She then proceeded to wipe her face with a tissue Ray had given her.

"It's not, terrible," she said. Lily, you liar. I know it was the best cookies you ever tasted. She looked at him once more. "Okay, you proved yourself worthy."

He smiled at her. "I'm Ray," he said, holding out his hand. Lily carefully took it and they shook hands.

In the next two minutes Lily and Ray became besties. They talked about baking, shows, how he knows me, how I knew him, and more.

"He really knows how to win someone over," (f/n) whispered. I can't believe Lily befriended someone so easily over a cookie. "Wonder why he can't achieve that with you."

"Because I have dignity, (f/n)," I answered.

"Ray, you're my new best friend," she said, now holding his hand. He laughed and nodded. We walked into my house after I unlocked the door.

"My oldest sister is in college somewhere far, and our parents are on a business trip for two weeks," Lily stated. Ok, Lily, be quiet now before you start blabbing about personal stuff.

We led (f/n) and Ray to our computer room, where I usually do homework. "I'm gonna make some snacks, so is popcorn good?"

They nodded. "(f/n), I'll let you stay with us as long as you keep quiet, okay? So just do your homework or read a book."

She agreed. I quickly got the food ready, while I thought about our project idea. Once I came back with a steaming bowl of microwave popcorn, Lily was out of her seat and grabbing Ray's jacket sleeve. So much for sit still and don't bother us.

"Say, do you know how to play chess?" she asked