Jackson was at his locker when it suddenly slammed in his face, making him jump back in fear as he was scared his finger would get smashed. He looked over to see Carolina, giving him a playful smirk. "Oh my God, you should see the look on your face," she laughs.

"Carolina! That wasn't funny! You almost broke my damn fingers," Jackson scolded her. Suddenly the bell rang and he lets out a frustrated groan. He was gonna be late, and he promised his mom that he would be on his best behavior. Although considering the trouble he's been getting into lately, he hasn't been doing too much of a good job at it. But lucky for him, she hasn't caught wind of his personal life troubles. As far as she knows, he's making straight B's, is on the football team and the principal hasn't called her not once, signifying he's doing as well as expected.

Carolina was almost taken aback by his rude words. "Woah. What happened to you over the weekend?" She asked as she walked alongside him. "Are you upset you lost homecoming king?" She asked.

What? No," he denied. "I️ can give less than a shit about a plastic crown," he tells her. "Look, I️ really gotta get to class," he interrupts her.

"Okay...well, if you want to talk just find me at lunch, okay?" She offered kindly.

Jackson gave her a quick smile. "Thanks. See you later," he quickly waved off. He hurries to his physics class. When he walked in, he expected to see Aaliyah in her usual seat next to him. But instead, she was in the back, talking to another friend of hers. They made eye contact as soon as he walked in, but she turned back to face the girl she was talking to, blatantly ignoring him.

Jackson rolled his eyes at her actions and just sat down, making himself comfortable since he knew he was gonna sleep in that class.

But before he knew it, a body plopped down right next to him. He looked over, bewildered to find someone else had taken over Aaliyah's seat. The guy next to him looked over at him with a huge smile, ignoring his weirded out expression. "Hey...Jackson right?" He pointed over at him.

"Yeah..."

"Aw man, I️ saw you at the game on Friday. Beautiful pass man," he complimented. When he saw Jackson's blank stares, that was when he realized. "Oh crap, my bad," he holds his hand out for him to shake. "I'm Vijay but just call me Jay, it's way easier that way," he rambles as Jackson reluctantly shakes his hand.

"Thanks man, nice to meet you," he laughs slightly. "You just got here?" He asked, considering it was late October and he's never seen him around.

"Yeah, just moved houses from Westbrook to here in Avondale," he shrugged. "Used to go to some preppy smart kid school like the rest of the brown kids, but thank god I️ moved. I️ could not stand it there," he went on.

Jackson grinned at his new science partner. He radiated nothing but good vibes and he just knew they would be good friends already. Jack spent the rest of the class period getting to know Jay, who just came in last Thursday, which explained why he didn't seem him earlier. The school was a mess during spirit week and since Jackson was on the football team, we was always getting whisked off to be involved in some lame activity.

By the time lunch rolled around, Jackson offered to sit with Vijay since now, the entire football team was at odds with him. Elijah and Devon were practically their leaders even though Jackson was their star player. Truth was, no matter how good he was, it didn't replace the bonds and ties everyone already established with one another from their earlier years playing football at the park. Plus, the season was almost over with two games left. After that, he'd never have to speak to any of them again.

Jay and Jackson were both discussing possible holiday break plans when Carolina makes an appearance. "What's going on with you and her?" She demands to know.

Both guys look at each other, dumbfounded. Jackson, because he didn't expect her to confront him herself. Jay, because he has no idea what's going on and also, wants to know who she is. "What..."

Carolina sighs and sits across from him, carelessly shoving Jay aside. "Aaliyah is a stubborn bitch and won't talk to me about anything. And when I️ bring your name up and ask about you guy's weekend, because I️ know you two were together, I️ saw it on Snapchat, she just shuts down about the entire thing. So I'm asking, cause you're the most reasonable one out of the two. What. Happened?" She asked.

Jay stuck his hand out in front of her, making her raise an eyebrow in his direction. "Hi, I'm Jay. I'm new here," he introduced.

Carolina looked between him and his hands. "Sup'," she simply nodded before facing Jackson once more, waiting on an answering.

"We got into an argument. I️ was tryna defend her and she just, took it the wrong way I️ guess," he quickly explained. "But whatever-"

"No. Not whatever," she cuts him off. "You've made her happier than I've seen her in a long time Jackson. It's like I️ almost got my best friend back," she tells him. "And now, I️ need you two to make up, so come on," she gets up and and pulls him along with her. Jackson wanted to protect but that 5'4 Latina was a long stronger than she looked. Soon enough, they had made it to where Aaliyah was sitting and talking to some white girl. "Excuse is for one moment Alexis," Carolina smiles sweetly.

"But we were just-"

"I️ said move," she hissed. Alexis scoffed and promptly got up from the table, making room for Carolina and Jackson to sit. "Now-"

"What are you doing?" Aaliyah asked Carolina with an exasperated look on her face.

"Bringing people together," she snapped back. "It's been like, two while days. You've both had enough time to cool off. Now both of you apologize," she said, making them both scoff in disbelief.

"Me? He's the one who-"

"She started this mess-"

"Callaté!" She scolded, shutting them both up. "Aaliyah, you were being unfair to Jackson, who only had good intentions. Jackson, I️ saw the video on Michael's Snapchat....violence isn't always the answer," She mediated. "Now can we both agree or agree to disagree or whatever," she rolled her eyes.

Both teens looked over at each other. "I️ guess I️ do have some...issues, I️ need to work on," Jackson admitted.

It was Aaliyah's turn now. "And I️ seeing you trying to fight, I️ didn't like that," she told him. "I guess it must've triggered me. Too much, too soon, you know?"

Jackson nodded. "I️ know. I'm sorry," he said.

Aaliyah held her hand out. "Friends?" She asked with a hopeful smile on her face.

Jackson smiled back, taking her hand into his. He didn't want to be just her friend. He wanted to be more. But he knew she wasn't ready for that yet. She needed time to heal, and he'd give it to her, because that's how much she meant to him. In just the span of three months, this girl became such an important person in his life and he didn't even know why. So he didn't want to be just her friend. But he did know that he wanted to her in her life and wanted her to be in his. Even if it is just on a platonic level. He'd respect that.

"Friends."

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Man this chapter was pure filler. Ain't nothing happened here. I️ introduced a new character cause like I️ don't like my characters to be lonely. Cause if I️ got a ride or die chick I️ always tell my business to, them so will my characters. Everyone needs a friend :-)

So...y'all got any thought or you just have no idea where this story is going? (Imma let y'all in on a lil secret.....idk where it's going either)

I️ have written out the plot to this story TWICE. Honestly my characters take control of the story, so as of rn, I'm really not sure how it's gonna end LOL. But maybe y'all can help me, shit idk.

Anyways pls vote and comment! Thank you and God blesssss