I tripped. I fell. I rolled across the floor.

Cadence pushed me, I didn't just deliberately choose to do that in the school corridor at a lunch break but she pushed me out of excitement because we found out we made it onto the cheer team. I managed to get onto the team that Stephanie and her friends were also on.

How did that happen, you ask?

I had no answer to that question, either.

"I can't believe this!" Cadence squealed, jumping up and down and I was still on the floor. I couldn't be asked to get up. I liked it down here.

"This is going to be so amazing! I cannot believe we made it onto the team! I'm so glad you are on the team too I would've not joined the team if you didn't make it." She said excitedly. She jumped up and down again and span around, her hand clutching onto her heart.

I watched her. I quietly cleared my throat and smiled. "Can I have some help?" I asked and she abruptly stopped, looking down at me.

"Oh! Yeah, sorry!" She said immediately and ran over to me. She grabbed ahold of my hand and hauled me upwards, then in an instant I was pulled into another bone-crushing hug. "Did I mention this is going to be amazing?" She asked, not pulling away from me.

I gasped for air, hands coming to tap her on the back. "Yeah. You mentioned it." I managed to say and she quickly pulled away.

"Oh fuckers. Sorry." She said, straightening out my hair that was messy. "Can you breathe?" She asked awkwardly, covering it up with a laugh.

I coughed and smiled. "I can now. Thanks."

"Do you know what this deserves?" Cadence grabbed ahold of my shoulders. I stared at her, waiting for her to continue. No, I had no idea what she was going to say. "Food from Al's Diner and then ice cream. We always have ice cream when we celebrate, it's now a rule!"

I laughed. "Why are we going to Al's Diner first then? Why don't we go get ice cream straight after school?"

She sighed, pulling me along down the corridor with her arm linked with mine. "Because it's bad to have something sugary without something filling first."

I nodded slowly and looked at her. "Did your Mom say that?" I asked.

"Yes. She can be very strict with things like that. Like I can't have my phone passed ten o'clock else I get it confiscated for a week." She sighed again and looked down at the floor. I could tell this was bugging her. "I don't like how I'm almost eighteen and she's still babying me."

I stroked her arm and rested my head against her shoulder. "I'm sure she has her reasons. She probably thinks by making sure you've got these rules, that you're safe."

She went silent for a minute. "But she doesn't understand by restricting me from life, from being a teenager, she's actually hiding me away from the real word and my freedom."

I lifted my head up from her shoulder. "Maybe that's something you could talk to your Mom about. Tell her how it makes you feel and maybe she can understand you better." I told her and she stopped walking. In a matter of second I was wrapping my hands around her. This time it wasn't a bone-crushing hug.

"Thanks, Willow. I really mean it. I really feel like I can talk to you about anything and I haven't even known you for long." She said and I smiled into the hug. "I'm always here if you want to talk."

Talk. Only if she knew. "It's okay, Cadence. I'm always here."

After hanging out with Cadence for lunch — Angel and Charlotte weren't in sight and we couldn't find them at all. They hadn't been in all day. It was as if they had disappeared somewhere and didn't tell us. But I didn't think it was anything to be scared by. If it was important or bad, they would've messaged us — I walked into English class and noticed how Angel wasn't here either. If she was at school, she'd most definitely not missed class or even turn up late.

"Good afternoon, Miss Anderson." Mrs Cleveland said, smiling as she saw me walking into class. Some people were already in class, including Stephanie. I had no idea why she was in class this early. Maybe she was still trying to show Miss that she was a good, well-behaved student.

That was debatable.

"Where's Angel?" She asked and I furrowed my brows at her.

"She wasn't put down on the register?" I asked confusedly. "I haven't actually seen her today." I told Mrs and she frowned. She walked over to her desk and typed down on her laptop.

"That's unusual for Angel." She muttered to herself, though I was able to catch onto it. Then she groaned and glanced up from her laptop screen. "Do you mind going to the office with a note? My email's aren't sending." She said and I nodded.

She grabbed a pen and scribbled down some writing onto a sticky note. She passed it over to me and I grabbed it from her, my fingers pressing down onto the sticky line at the top of the note.

"Miss, I can do that for you. I'm sure Willow should sit down and start on the work. I have already finished the starter." Stephanie's voice was heard and I looked over at her. I narrowed my eyes at her. Why would she offer to do something that regarded my friend that wasn't hers? I didn't even think she liked any of my friendship group.

Stephanie crossed her arms over her chest and looked at me, a semi glare shot my way. I looked back at Mrs Cleveland and watched as she thought for a second. "You've finished it already?" She asked.

"Yes. See." Stephanie replied and held her book up to show the very neat looking work she had done. Who knew if it was correct. Hell, I wish it wasn't.

As Stephanie started to stand up, I spoke. "It's fine. I can do it. I'll be really quick. Plus, she is my friend and I would like to know where she has gone too."

I could feel Stephanie glare at me but I chose not to give into her. Mrs Cleveland thought again and she nodded. "Very well." She said. "But be quick."

I nodded firmly and walked over to the door, shutting it behind me. I quickly walked down the empty corridors and followed the sign to where the Principal's office was. I hadn't visited the office since I was in freshman year and had to go and check in with the principal because that was what my Mum wanted.

I shivered at the harsh breeze that was coming through the window and looked outside up at the sky. It looked as if a storm was brewing. The sky was grey and downcast and I silently closed the window. I wanted to go home and sleep. Maybe read, too.

As I saw the principal's office up further ahead, I could see someone sat on the chairs by the door. We're they waiting to go see her too?

I walked closer, mentally wishing that they'd pay no mind to me and just focus on themselves.

"You can't go in." The voice said and I jumped in shock. Did they hear me walking? Was I really that loud? "I've tried."

Their voice surprised me and I carefully sat down on a chair opposite them. They hadn't looked up once and I was grateful. "Okay, thanks." I said and played with the yellow sticky note.

Their voice was slightly recognisable but not enough to put a name to the person. I knew they were a guy — a big builded guy — because of the way they sat, the hoody covering their face wasn't enough to disguise their wide shoulders.

We both sat in silence for a little while and I continued to play with the sticky note. I wasn't even sure it was sticky anymore. The person across from me shuffled in their seat and spread apart their legs. I contemplated whether or not I should say something, and I was. Too late to stop now.

"Are you here to see the Headteacher too?" I asked. I couldn't help tap my feet against the floor. I was supposed to be quick back to class and who knows where Angel was. It was slightly scaring me.

The guy sunk deeper into the seat he was on but still didn't look up. I couldn't lie that I really wanted to see who this person was.

"Something like that." They replied and I frowned.

I recognised their voice.

Then it dawned on me.

Course, how could I of not pegged it sooner!

"Theo?" I asked and his head suddenly snapped up. His green eyes board into mine and I gulped as I watched him figure out who I was. He dropped the hood off from his head and his brown tussles fell down onto his face. But he scraped them back.

"Willow? What're you doing here?" He asked, staring at me from head to toe.

I swallowed and gestured to the sticky note that was stuck to my fingers. "Teachers note." I said blankly and Theo glanced down at it, nodding.

He was nodding...and I was picking out everything he was doing, apparently. He wore a black sweater and matching sweatpants. His face looked the same, glowing and shiny, handsome and sharp.

We stared at one another for a couples seconds. I didn't know if he was going to say something or if he was thinking about something again. I waited. Then another awkward thirty seconds passed of him watching me with his head leant back against the wall behind him, his hooded green eyes on me.

I shuffled in my seat under his gaze and I could feel heat raising up my neck. I needed to do something before it got to my cheeks. Because then he'd realise he was making me flustered and since our last little conversation in Business, I had to show him that he wasn't actually the one making me feel and look like I'd just been kissed by my celebrity crush. Though he was the one.

"So. What're you here for, then?" Why did I ask that? It's clearly private especially when it's during class.

He cracked his knuckles and I winced at that. I hated watching and hearing other people crack their knuckles or whatever — even though I liked doing it myself. I never realised how gross it sounded and looked. He shrugged. "No idea."

I tilted my head to the side slightly. "You don't know what you're here for?" Didn't he just say that? Gosh, why were you such an ignominious?

He scoffed lightly, the corners of his lips stretching into a slight smirk. But it was a false alarm. It was gone by the time I blinked next. "I'm just as confused as you are." He said and I shivered at how low his voice sounded. Goosebumps ran throughout my body and every hair on my body stood up. He made me nervous and he knew it.

There was nothing left to say between us and silence fell once again. This time it was an uncomfortable silence. Not like before when he didn't know who I was and that was it. No. This time it was a lot different. Now he knew who I was and I had no other words to of been said.

Should I of carried the conversation on? Gah! It's too late to carry it on now!

All my thoughts had gone when the door to the Principal's office was swung open. An elderly looking man, who I'd say was in his sixties, walked out of the office. He was dressed up smart. Suit and tie, all in black. "Goodbye Mr Mac." Mrs Jones said as she waved the man off.

"Sorry for making you wait so long Th-" Mrs Jones stopped mid sentence as she looked down at me. "Oh, Miss Anderson. What a pleasure. Why aren't you in class?" She asked and I raised from my seat. I looked down at the note and held it out to her.

"Mrs Cleveland wanted me to give you this." I said and Mrs Jones took it and immediately pushed down her reading glasses. She read over the writing. I saw her swallow thickly as she read over the note again and again. One of her star students was missing. "I also couldn't find her here and she hasn't messaged me." I told her. "Also Charlotte, I-I can't seem to find her either." I knew Theo was watching because I could feel his gaze on me, but I didn't care. I knew him enough to not care about whether or not he heard me speak about this in front of him.

Mrs Jones stood up straighter, wiping down her blazer. "Charlotte Thomas?" She looked down at me and gave me a pointed look. I nodded and she lifted up her glasses and put them into her top pocket of her blazer. "Okay, thank you for letting me know, Willow. Go back to class and I'll sort this out. If you manage to get ahold of them both, do let me know."

"Okay. Thanks, Mrs Jones." I said and I turned to go. As I walked passed Theo, I glanced at him. I couldn't help but smile at him and I could see a proper smile form on his lips. I saw it. I saw a genuine smile. The smile quickly disappeared as if it never happened and I think he didn't actually mean to smile. It was like he had forgotten who he was and he let his guard down. He was vulnerable for a few seconds. So he probably thought.

I walked off down the corridor and I could hear muffled talk behind me, then a door closing. I looked back and saw Theo was still sat down. Did that mean he had to wait even longer?

I neared the corner and I stopped. I looked back over to him. "Sorry!" I called and he looked up, his mouth contorted into a half smirk. He knew what I was referring to.

♔♔

"Have you still not heard from them?" Cadence impatiently asked.

"Nope." I sighed. "I'm guessing you haven't either." I flipped my phone back and fourth and stared out of the Al's Diner window. Our food had arrived and I was thankful because today had been a day of emotions. I was hungry, I was excited, I was flustered, I was scared. I had been multiple things today but still not Theo's girlfriend.

Joking.. I didn't want to be his girlfriend. If I was a boy, I wouldn't want to be my boyfriend anyway. So, there was no chance of him being my boyfriend. No matter how much I might of wanted it to happen. Never ever.

Well, never say never.

"Where have they gone? Do they not know how to use a phone and send a quick 'I'm okay' message?" Cadence groaned and the sounded echoed and distorted as she drank some of her milkshake.

I laughed as I looked at her, and she noticed.

"What?" She asked innocently.

I continued to laugh and she glared at me. "What is it? Do I have something on my face?" She asked and I pressed onto camera on my phone. With one quick snap of the button, I showed Cadence the picture.

"You could've told me!" She whined and wiped her mouth clean of chocolate milkshake with a napkin.

I giggled. "I did, didn't I?"

She was about to go off on one when suddenly our phones both pinged at the same time. Meaning it either meant we both got a message from two different people at the same time, or it was from the group chat. I was betting fifty pounds to myself that it was the group chat.

I was correct.

We both pressed onto the notification coming from the group chat and it was Angel.

Hi. Sorry I only just

seen your guys' messages.

I'm fine now. Charlotte

is over at mine and has been all day.

That's because I woke up really sick

this morning and she was outside

ready to take me to school.

Long story short, I'm better now

and we'll both be in tomorrow.

Oh :/ lyl but why

couldn't you of told us where you were?

You had us both worried and the school

too!

Yeah. I had to go to the principal's

office to give her a note

explaining that you weren't seen

anywhere.

Mrs Cleveland made me do it.

Oh shit. So sorry guys!

I would've messaged but

I didn't want you guys to

worry. :/

Glad to have you girls

as my friends. Lyl!!

It's okay and lyl2 :)

I'm just glad you're both

okay.

Yeah Anyways. Where's

Charlotte?

Asleep :0

I laughed as soon as soon I opened up the image. It was a picture of Charlotte wearing a Micky Mouse onesie and a eye mask was over her eyes as she fell asleep in a curled up ball.

As soon as she's up,

tell her I want that onesie lol

Noted!

Have I missed anything

today? Any juicy deets??

Hmmmm

let me guess....

Willow. Can

you think of anything juicy, or

exciting details that we need

to inform Angel in on?

Hm...

I glanced at Cadence over my phone and we both laughed.

Coming to think

about it now. It deserves to be

said in person.

Meet at Al's Diner in twenty.

Sounds exciting.

If Charlotte comes wearing

that onesie I'll pay her ten dollars.

Waking her up rn

See you soon!!

Those twenty minutes came and went by rather fast. Me and Cadence had finished up our food and most of our drinks. I slurped on my strawberry milkshake and had my head leant against the window. I watched the diner door with beady eyes. Where were they?

From the window next to the door, I saw a bright pink onesie with Micky Mouses' face on it. She wore it! Ugh! Now I owed ten dollars!

The bell rang, gesturing to the fact someone had came in. I spat out my drink from my mouth as soon as I saw Charlotte from head to toe, absolutely killing that one piece.

"I never thought I'd see something so amazing." Cadence said as she laughed into her hand. Charlotte didn't seem impressed. She marched over to me and sunk into the seat next to me.

"Where's my ten dollars?" She extended her hand out and I laughed. I pocketed out my card from my phone case and stood up from my seat, I stood on the seat and jumped off the end out of the booth.

"Let me get it now." I called and waved towards Clair who looked busy as ever. I quickly got the money out of the 'ATM' machine and handed it to Charlotte. She kissed the bank note in victory and then she stripped.

The whole diner basically watched as she stripped from the onesie. Luckily she had clothes on underneath so we wouldn't be seeing anything eighteen plus here. Especially when there were kids around.

I stared at her with my mouth wide. "Think smarter, work harder." She said and threw the piece of clothing at my face. Luckily I caught it before it could knock over my drink.

"So what's the exciting news?" Angel asked. Her cheeks looked flustered and pink and her eyes were slightly puffy. The tip of her nose was pink and she actually did look sick. She sounded it too.

Cadence looked over at me and smiled. "We're going to be on the cheer team." She said the words with a jazz motion with her hands.

Angel gasped and she looked genuinely happy for us. "You guys managed to get on the team? Wow you guys! This is so great! I knew you guys did well!"

I smiled and saw Charlotte sink back into the seat. She smiled but it didn't look genuine. You know what I mean? That sort of smile.

I still hadn't figured her out yet.

"Wow. Well done." Charlotte said, her voice laced with uncertainty. I glanced at her. None of the other girls had picked up on it but I did.

I continued to look at her, trying to see some sort of message behind her actions. But there were none. Was she jealous? But if she was, dhe could've tried out with us.