You know when you take something for granted and then wished it happened again to experience it all one more time?

I did.

Homeroom was a dive. Theo ended up sitting down at the front with all of his new friends as they all tried to talk to him about something. He looked as if he was a celebrity and everyone were his fans. But that was how they treated him.

Logical, my ass.

I bet when I spoke to him about why I stayed up here and not down there with everyone, he probably thought I was embarrassing and completely wrong. He probably thought I was weird for saying all of that stuff anyway.

After homeroom was finished with, I was nice and early to business - one of my favourite classes. It was one of my favourite classes because you get to come up with ideas and act like you really were a businesswomen who had your own business.

The business trip was in three months and I could not wait!

As I walked to a random seat, I scarcely moved out of peoples way as they direct themselves into their new seats. I presumed I was going to have to pick my own seat so I gripped the strap of my bag tightly and navigated myself to a seat next to the window, giving me the overview of the football field and the rest of the campus.

The tables were arranged neatly in rows which made me well aware that someone would have to sit next to me. Maybe. That was if someone was actually willing to.

Now, sitting in the classroom with the fan whirling around above me, a book and a packet of well deserved sour patch kids in my hands, I inhaled a long and shaky breath when I could see a couple of Callum's sporty friends striding in. Theo being one of them. Most of them were surrounding Theo, patting his back, talking to him and all he did was just stare ahead, a cheeky but cocky smirk on his face. I could tell he was loving this - all the attention. Just like how I thought he would.

I could read people extremely well.

I could tell most of the students in here were excited but also nervous to know Theo was in the same class as them. Like how I felt.

I sunk deeper into my chair as I hoped to not make eye contact with any of that lot. But luck was not on my side today.

My eyes in fact caught onto Theo's. Even just looking at him for no longer than five seconds was more than enough to tell me he held power within himself. I even noticed how he widened out his broad shoulders and walked with purpose, eyes still locked with mine.

His hair was scraped back, looking dishevelled with a few loose dark strands falling over his eyes. Theo's brows creased and his green eyes were impossibly bright. Before I could figure him out more, he had looked away.

As my eyes left Theo's they unluckily caught onto Marcus'. Marcus was one of the most popular boys at this school... but Theo was now hitting first place ever since he started here.

Marcus could ask anyone to do anything for him and they wouldn't say no. It was sick, really. Like they were his slaves.

"Hey, look! That's Callum's little sister." Marcus, who I recognised was with Callum yesterday after school, pointed at me and all the boys looked over. I squirmed in my seat at the overwhelming feeling of being self-conscious. I wasn't used to having so much attention on me. It felt unnerving.

From the corner of my eye I saw Theo steal another glance at me before forcing his eyes away. I dug my nails into the palms of my hands, feeling even more conscious as before. I felt heat run all the way up my neck and over the whole of my face.

I let out a relieved sigh as they directed their attention from me, to something that was on Theo's phone.

"Hey guys! Theo's texting Stephanie!" I heard Josh shout behind me and the group all whistled. I couldn't help but let me eyes wander over to the table at the back of the class. They all huddled together and shook Theo's shoulders.

No need to boost his ego anymore, it was already too big.

Marcus patted Theo on the shoulder with a smug look on his face before sitting down in his seat next to a ginger haired boy, Colby. Colby came out gay last year and got a load of hassle from the basketball team who were from another school. The only reason I didn't completely hate the popular group was because they all stuck up for him.

I cupped my ears with my hands to block out the loud sounds of their chatter and shouting behind me so I could try and keep to myself. I had to stay focused and attentive to what was in front for me - which was nothing since the teacher wasn't even here yet. If only they could walk through the door right now..

"She's mad for you, man." I heard Marcus say from behind me and I rolled my eyes. She was mad, period.

To my surprise, the teacher stormed through the door, a binder in her hands and one finger wiping her brow.

The class was still in the cacophony of the boisterous sounds of everyone's voices as Ms Gill stood up from her desk chair and straightened out her blazer.

She was an uptight women with slick blonde hair that was combed back into a low bun. She had big round black glasses sat on her nose along with a dark red, burgundy color painted on her parted lips. Her face turned into a scowl as she looked at all the students in front of her. She was practically growling at the sight.

Ms Gill was one of the school's well-esteemed teachers. She made sure her students were getting high grades - which unfortunately meant you had to partake in her strict teaching methods.

People said she had gotten more strict because of her horrible divorce last year, but she had always been like that - maybe harsher in some way, I guess.

I watched as Ms Gill looked up, "Ah, Theo Willis, what a pleasure to meet you. I have heard great...things about you." She crossed her arms over her chest and Theo grunted in response.

Something was telling me Ms Gill was not being sincere with her words.

Many girls in the class looked back over to the table and even whispered to each other whilst they had admiring looks on their faces. Even some boys did too.

Ms Gill decided to leave it for now and picked up her teacher notes, going through all the topics we were going to cover this year. As I sat forwards, hands playing with each other and chair tucked in neatly, I slightly relaxed in my seat.

But that all came to a direct stop when I suddenly felt someone tap my shoulder.

I tensed and felt heat rush to my cheeks. I ignored the first tap thinking it was just a mistake or was a stupid tease. But when I got another tap on the shoulder I knew this time that they weren't being stupid and maybe actually wanted me to turn around.

"Pst." I heard from behind me. I checked Ms was not watching and quickly turned around, worried on what they could of wanted.

As I looked behind, I saw the group of boys all looking at me, all apart from Theo. Theo's body was leaning against his chair, his legs extended as he typed on his phone. I tried to pay no attention to him but it was hard. Especially when he cleared his throat every so often; I couldn't help but glance over.

I stared at them in silence and I could feel my heart beating erratically. Marcus seemed to lean forward and point down to the floor. I felt my forehead crease as I looked at him in confusion.

What did he want?

I followed the line of his finger down to floor and a sudden feeling of relief washed over me. "My pen. Could you get it?" He asked and I silently leant down in my chair, grabbing his pen in my hand to hand it back to him. I grimaced mentally when I saw Josh winking at me, very obviously flexing his muscles that I couldn't give a toss about.

Honestly, these popular boys.

I ignored him and turned back around around in my chair. "Thanks, Callum's little sister." Marcus said and I rolled my eyes down at the table, away from where he could see me.

"I have a name." I muttered and heard Marcus laugh.

"What did you say?" He asked and I slammed my eyes shut. Why did you just say that? No!

I swallowed thickly and felt my hands become clammy. "Uh, I'm-

"Willow." Theo said for me and the boys seemed to look at him as they were confused on why he had said that. I was confused on why he said that for me. "Just Willow." He glanced at me and I tensed.

My name sounded so good in his mouth.

So good.

Marcus chuckled and turned back to me, "just Willow, huh? Well it's a pleasure to meet you properly." He held out his hand in front of me and I could see Theo's chest ho up and down as he watched me stare down at it.

"Man, why are you so weird?" Josh asked and Cody laughed. Marcus sent me a wink as he retracted his hand. I slowly turned around and leant my side against the wall to hopefully make them forget about me. But no, I could feel someone staring at me and I knew damn well they hadn't forgot about me.

A pulled my jumper up higher to hide my neck and red tinted tops of my ears. It was like I was caged up in prison and the light was surveying the surroundings to make sure no one had escaped. It was exactly like that. Whoever was looking at me was the light and I was the prisoner.

I slowly stole a glance to the table behind me and I could see none of them were looking at me. For some reason, my eyes looked at Theo again. It was like I was drawn to him.

His brown hair was tastefully messy on top of his head, complemented by his tan skin. He was wearing a Nike navy blue crewneck with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms exposing his sleeve of many tattooed he had. It only added to his handsomeness. He also wore a pair of blue jeans that hung low on his waist. Theo's face was void of any emotion as he stared forward towards Ms Gill.

"...And for the group assignment, you have to come up with some sort of way to raise money for this years charity case. By the end of the year, your pair will be doing a presentation all about it and you have to pictures and good evidence to show us what you did." Ms Gill smiled as she saw kids sink into their seats. "I'll be drawing out name's randomly from the hat." She held up black hat that looked like it had been through all the wars, and shook it around a few times before she stuck her hand into it.

I leant my chin against my hand and watched in anxiousness as she placed down the hat and opened up the paper. People were staring at it and waiting for their fate on who they were going to be with.

Me also.

If no one was going to sit next to me in lessons, who in their right mind would want to be paired up with me?

I never knew a paired project could be so daunting. Speaking to other people that weren't my friends was extremely daunting and I felt sick.

"Darcey." The chosen girl looked up from her lap and I studied her face. She looked as if she wanted to disappear right then and there. But I'm a good way.

She stayed sat down and Ms Gills shook the hat, and once again she took out another piece of paper. "Jacob." She called and Darcey's eyes widened at the name. But not in a bad way. I could see the noticeable smirk on her face she tried so hard to hide.

A few other people got paired up and the leftovers of us got smaller and smaller. I casually sunk into my seat and to my dismay, Ms Gill made direct eye contact with me. I stared at her in horror as she gave me a nod just before dipping her hand into the hat. She swizzled her hand around a few times, longer than any of the others she did it for. Then suddenly one white piece of paper was pinched between her two fingers.

The black ink on the other side of the paper made me feel so sick. I felt embarrassed that it only looked like I was panicking and no one else was. No one looked scared or horrified, they just looked annoyed and angry that they couldn't be paired up with Theo - who was somehow still had not been picked.

"Willow, and." She paused , tilting the piece of paper towards her and pinching her glasses. I clenched my fists together, most definitely making marks in my palms, but I didn't care, not when my whole fate was depending on this tiny piece of paper. She very annoyingly strained her eyes to get a better look at it. All the while she did that, my stomach started to bubble with mountains of anxiety.

She was definitely dragging it out because she hadn't done this for anyone else in the class-

"Theo." My stomach dropped and I stared at her in shock. More shock than when I found out Callum had shredded apart my favourite teddy when I was three. There was no way I was going to be partnered up with Theo Willis. No. Way.

I was now officially going to be the next target of the school. You might as well shoot me now instead of dragging it out. Painfully. Slow.

I sunk even further into my chair as I watched all the girls in the room groan out of frustration as they realised they had lost their chance with him. I could feel their burning gazes on me like it was my fault that I got paired up with him.

I dared to not look back at Theo because I didn't want to see what he was reacting like. Was he happy? Was he annoyed? Surely he'd want to either be with his friends or with some of the other girls in the class.

My luck was the worst possible luck. I knew today was a bad day! It started off with me losing my favourite sweater this morning.

As the bell rang and everyone stood up, I could feel another burning gaze watching me and I knew who it was this time.

I just didn't know if he was happy about it or not.

🝮🝮🝮

"This is like how we met all over again." Angel sniggered, her hands ready to catch the books that were slowly slipping from my hands. "I can grab a few you know."

I shook my head and jumped up slightly to get a better grip on them. "It's fine. My locker's only over there anyway." I nodded my head in the direction and she followed me over there.

"Code?" She placed her hands on my locker dial.

"Two two two." I told her and she looked at me oddly. "It's my favourite number." I explained with a slight laugh and she nodded her head exaggeratedly.

I packed a few things away, grabbing the books I needed to have for today until Angel tapped my shoulder, "I gotta pee." She quickly ran to the toilets meanwhile I tried to shove everything into my bag with very little time before next period. Most of the students had already gone to class already and some were still hanging around the corridors which was stressing me the hell out. I didn't want to be late.

I tried my hardest to not get to class late because it was always so embarrassing. Everyone was already sat down in their seats and I had to get to mine which meant I'd have to do the walk of shame passed everyone.

Just as I went to put my funky looking drink bottle into my bag, one of my reading books accidentally got caught on my sleeve and fell down onto the floor. I tried to retrieve it but someone was already picking it up before I could. Then they handed it to me.

"Thanks." I muttered, not looking up, just putting it away into my bag for later. I had a late shift straight after school and I had to bring all my work uniform with me which was not ideal considering I literally had no room left in my locker to fit it all in.

"Hi!" Replied an all too cheerful voice and I felt something click in my brain. I looked up. When I did, I came face to face with Mike as he waved down at me.

"I didn't like the twist at the end of the book. Meredith killing herself for Jarred. It's like they are trying to recreate Romeo and Juliet or something." He rolled his eyes in a playful manner and I swore I could cry.

"I haven't finished the book yet." I told him and tried to remain calm as possible. Whelp, that book was now done. Thank you very much Mike.

"Oops." He covered his mouth and I looked back down. I brushed my hands on my pants and stood up, feeling proud of myself for fitting everything into my bag without breaking it.

"Are you okay Mike?" I asked, looking at him.

"Yes, thanks. I- I just wanted to say I really had fun last Friday." He shot me a teethy smile and I smiled back at him. Then that smile dropped. Right, I had to tell him- "It was probably the best evening I've had in a while."

Damn. "Yeah, like I said, I enjoyed it." I sent him another smile and he grinned.

He rubbed his neck, then his mouth opened, his face looking as if he forgot what he was going to say. "Hey, erm. About this Friday...I kind of forgot I promised Josie I'd take her ice skating. I didn't realise until this morning that it crossed wires with our date." He readjusted the strap of his bag on his shoulder.

Date. Date. Date.

I bit down on my bottom lip. Just tell him now before things get worse. I cleared my throat and swayed back and fourth on my feet. "Yeah, about our...date." This was painful. How could I tell him that I didn't like him like that? "Here's the thing. I- well- I do-"

"I'm all done!" Angel said coming out of the bathroom. Her eyes widened as she saw me talking to Mike. "Sorry!" She clasped her hand over her mouth.

Mike turned around and smiled. "Hi." He said and I could see his face was extremely pink. Angel gulped, her eyes gleaming. She looked at me wide-eyed and I smirked.

I think I was interrupting something...but this was good. Whatever this was, I hoped it carried on.

"H-howdy." She waved to him and her accent somehow completely changed. I watched in confusion at what was going on. Then I realised she didn't actually mean to say that.

"Howdy!" He said back. He blinked and looked back at me. "What did you want to tell me?" He asked and I scratched my neck.

Then the bell went.

"Did you hear that? Oh no! Angel we have to go I can't be late!" I said frantically and grabbed ahold of Angel who was in some sort of weird, eye-hearted daze. I dragged her down the hall then popped my head out from the corridor we were going down. "Bye Mike thanks for- yeah, bye!"

He stared at me. "Sure- yeah. Bye!" He waved back and spun on his heel. Help.

Angel nudged my side. "Who was that and is he single?" She asked and I laughed. Holy heck I think she had a crush on Mike Carlton.

"That was Mike. He's really sweet," I bumped her side and she fiddled with the end of her top. "To answer your desperate question, no. I don't like him like that."

She looked at me with unease. "But he likes you."

I shrugged. "I think he's always had a small crush on me but that was only because I was the only girl he really spoke to. But I know for certain that if you actually spoke to him he'd actually understand what it means to like someone. You should've seen him a second ago with you." I teased and she smirked, shaking her head.

"Nothing happened..." She looked at me and the next second she had her arm linked with mine and nudging into my side. "Tell me what happened. I want to re-live that moment again," She said. "In detail please."