❝Can we, we keep, keep each other company?❞

- Justin Bieber, Company.

"It's so hard trying to come up with a topic to share in Girl Up," I said to Kaleb as we walked down the hallway after school on Tuesday.

"Two more unfollows?!" I looked to Kaleb who had a lollipop in his mouth, his face masked with horror as he stared down at his phone.

We always did this. Completely disregard what we said to each other. Yes, we were technically speaking to each other, but were we having the same conversation? No.

"Maybe if you listen to what I have to say, I might send some followers your way," I said through gritted teeth.

He rolled his eyes and looked up from his phone, "These people don't know what they're missing," he scoffed. "What's up?"

"I'm trying to come up with a topic to share in Girl Up. Something that can be put up on the blog."

"Do you have anything in mind?"

"Not right now, but I have to get something by tonight against tomorrow."

"Inspiration will come," he patter my shoulder, "And speaking of tomorrow, do you have to work?"

"No, not really. If there's a reason I'm going, it's to see River."

"Who's River?" He raised an eyebrow.

"The cute guy from the bakery!" I whacked his arm.

"Ow!" He rubbed the spot I'd hit him. "Whoa, hold your horses. How was I supposed to know that?" We reached our lockers which were right beside each other's.

"I didn't tell you?"

"Well, clearly," he rolled his eyes, a scowl on his face.

"Oops," I grinned, knowing it would only annoy him. "I thought I did."

"Whatever. There would be no seeing of any rivers or seas tomorrow, because you're coming over to my house and we're playing FIFA."

"It's Madden or nothing," I shot.

He shook his head, "FIFA."

Every time, Kaleb and I argued on what video game to play at his house. I was usually undefeated in Madden. Not even Hudson could stand with me in Madden, but Kaleb was a king in FIFA. From his smart insults using metaphors to the way he held the game pad, I didn't know how he did it.

"Don't worry, there'll be food as a consolation prize for when you lose," he laughed and I huffed, "I'll surprise you this time."

"Oooh, is that a challenge?" He had a look of feigned shock on his face.

"That's what it is," I cocked an eyebrow.

"Kaleb," I heard the familiar voice call. It was an annoying voice that always made me want to roll my eyes.

Sydney appeared right in front of Kaleb, wrapping her arms around him and kissing his nose. The sound of giggles caused my gaze to avert to Sydney's two talkative friends that had come with her. I looked at them in disgust before hearing Sydney say, "Can we hang out tomorrow after school instead of today?"

"Why, though? Syd, I've got plans already for tomorrow," Kaleb told her.

"Your plans should involve me, Kaleb," she said in almost whiny voice.

"What are you talking about? We were together throughout yesterday after school, and we already made plans for today," I heard a hint of frustration in his voice.

She frowned, "All I'm asking is to move it to tomorrow."

"And I told you I've got plans for tomorrow," he said sternly.

"With her?" She shot me a look before looking back up at Kaleb.

"Yes, Sydney, with Rae. Me and you are literally together every other day of the week. What more do you want? If you can't do tomorrow, then we'll just do Thursday."

She sighed, "Right. Whatever. We can do today."

"Perfect," he kissed her forehead. "I'll see you later then?"

She nodded, a smile on her face, while Kaleb looked at me, "Are you waiting for me?"

"Yeah," I nodded and Sydney mumbled something only audible to her two stupid friends who laughed. I simply ignored them, looking back at Kaleb who wasn't even standing there anymore!

Sydney glared at me, taking a step so she was face to face with me.

"How long are you going to be alone?" She asked in mock sadness.

"Get out of my face," I spat.

"Alright, Renée," she had a light smile on her face. "Just know you gave a boundary. Do not step or cross it."

"Oh, go deepthroat a cactus."

"I mean it. Don't-"

"Or else what?"

"You'll regret it," she stepped backwards before turning to walk away with her friends.

I shook my head, opening my locker to get out my texts.

"Hey Renée," I looked back to see Harper

"Harper, hi," I smiled at her.

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah, true," I nodded, closing my locker and tucking some strands of hair behind my ear.

"I kinda borrowed my mom's car today. I hate riding alone. If you don't have a ride, do you mind riding with me?"

I thought of Kaleb, but instead, Sydney came to mind.

"No, I don't," I smiled and together, we walked out of the school building.

"Do you always look so serious when sketching?" I said to River as I got to his table, a cold smoothie for him in my hand.

He leaned back in his seat, "Yep. You know what they say, whatever is worth doing, is worth doing well," he put his pencil down, "You're working late again today."

"I'm actually done for the day," I placed his drink on the side if the table so it wasn't too close to his paper. "And, is this how you order for something to drink when I leave?"

He chuckled, raising his eyes to mine, "In my defense, the first time I ever got something was yesterday."

"You love the four berry blend, don't you?"

"I can't be judged. It's pretty good," he took a sip from the straw of the smoothie. My gaze dropped to his lips and the way they stayed wrapped around the straw. I dragged my gaze slowly away from him, "W- What time do you usually leave here?"

"It depends, but most times, I'm the last one to leave, mainly because I'm doing a job."

"How do you do it, though?" I licked my lower lip in a swift motion. "If you spend your afternoons and nights working, what time do you have to do school stuff? I mean, it's a reason I was reluctant to get a job."

His thick, brown hair fell to his forehead and he raked his fingers through it, "I don't attend school."

My eyes widened and in disbelief, I said, "You're a dropout?"

He clicked his tongue in the root of his mouth, "Well, I wouldn't exactly call myself that," he shrugged. "Or, maybe I am."

"A- And your parents are okay with it?"

"They don't mind. Who cares, really. I was born for this. Art. What's the point going to sit in a classroom to do science?"

That was reasonable.

"But you make a living out of it, right?"

"Hell yeah. It's all I do for a living anyway."

I was silent before letting out a breath, "That's brilliant and... impressive."

A light smile formed on his lips and we were silent.

"So, uh, why do you work?" He managed to say, looking at me.

"Well, apparently, it's important to have a work experience, so my brother thought it would be good for me to get a job, and here I am," I let out a breath, "And speaking of my brother, I might have to get going before he blows my phone up."

He hesitated before saying, "If you stay for about 20 more minutes, is he likely to blow it up?"

My heart pounded in my chest and I tried to suppress a big smile I felt coming on. Did... did he want me around?

"What do you mean?" I almost croaked out.

"I'm saying I want your company."

It was almost 12am, and I was sat up in my bed, my mind going in two directions.

River.

And finding a topic to share for the Girl Up blog.

The little more time I'd spent with River, talking about whatever came to our minds, and watching him draw. I only hoped he actually enjoyed my company as much as I did. I found him to be easy-going. He drove. A Ford fusion and had even offered to drop me off at my house but I declined. Of course, I wanted nothing but to hop in and be in the same car with him, but I was starting to understand what Kaleb told me. I shouldn't be giving myself away just like that, so I only told him the bakery wasn't far from the house, and since then, he hadn't left my mind.

As for the topic, I was trying to think of something relevant to Girl Up. I was going to put my folder away when my phone screen came on, indicating I had a text. From Kaleb.

*It's almost 12am. Go to bed.*

*You're an idiot. You know what caffeine does to you at night, but no, you just had to drink a bottle of coke.*

I squinted at the screen. Confidence.

Confidence.

My face lit up as I excitedly typed back,

*Confidence. Got it. I love you, Kaleb. I got a topic.*

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