After walking Adelah to her classroom, Charli wrapped her arms around Adelah and said, "I'm going to miss you so much."

Adelah hugged Charli back. "Haha, you always say that." She stood on her tiptoes and kissed Charli's forehead. "My class is only an hour. Do you think you can wait for me?" Charli gazed into Adelah's eyes.

How could I stand being away from those marbles of night? If you want me to wait, then don't draw me in.

"Well?"

Charli squeezed Adelah tighter. "I don't wanna!" she groaned, "But, I guess I'll have to." Charli peeked into her night one more time before letting go. Adelah took a step back.

"I'll see you in an hour."

Adelah waved and went inside. Charli tore herself away from the door, knowing if she lingered any longer, she might just go inside.

Adelah strolled up to her seat where Farrah sat waiting. She smiled upon seeing Adelah.

"Didn't know if you'd show today. Charli drag you out?" Farrah asked, moving her chocolate locks off her shoulder.

Adelah plopped down in her seat and huffed, "Why can't I just take classes from home?"

"Uh, because our school is stupid? Who needs to attend class anyways? That's what the internet is for!"

As Shae sat down next to Farrah, he said, "Good morning! Talking of skipping again?"

"If I could, I would, but you know Charli would just drag me back," Adelah told him.

"Yeah, and if I miss anymore, I'll fail the class," Farrah sighed. Shae put a hand on her shoulder.

"Well, that's what you get." Farrah stuck out her tongue.

"But, have you seen it?! All the sweaty bodies just-- ugh! I get hot just thinking about it." Shae's cheeks grew hot. He looked away, hoping to hide them.

"Jeez, talk about it somewhere else!"

Farrah laughed, "Awe, grow up. I can't believe my best friend is this pure."

Adelah watched as the two bickered. They made for great entertainment, but she knew Shae's innocent heart couldn't handle much more.

"Hey, Shae. How's it going with the boyfriend?" Adelah asked. Shae's expression clouded over.

"I--He broke up with me." Farrah's eyes widened.

"But, why?! You two were great together. How could he throw you away?" she exclaimed. Adelah nodded in agreement. She wanted entertainment, but not this.

Shae avoided their gazes. "He said he couldn't keep waiting."

"Waiting? Waiting for what?" Farrah asked. Shae glanced at her before skidding away.

"You know..."

"Oh!" Farrah gasped, the realization hitting her. She didn't know what to say. If it were her, Farrah would have already given in the moment she met Mr. Handsome.

Seeing as Farrah was at a loss for words, Adelah squeezed Shae's shoulder. She told him, "It's okay if you didn't want to do it. Not everyone is ready for that, and he's just a jerk if he couldn't see it." Shae looked up at her, his dirty blond hair falling over his eyes. He showed her a weak smile.

"Thanks, Adelah."

"You know, now we have to go scouting," Farrah chimed in. She looked at Shae with excitement. Scouting was her favorite hobby.

Shae shook his head. "I'm not ready to move on."

"Nonsense! The only way to get over someone is to find another," Farrah told him, "After class, we're going." She turned to Adelah. "And, of course, you're coming."

"But, Charli--"

"Charli can come, too.

~

Charli trudged over to the cafeteria where she knew Rain would be waiting. Her eyes searched the tables before resting on a familiar backside.

As Charli grew closer, she noticed a shy, petite girl talking to him. Charli could tell the girl wanted an escape.

"Come on, just one date. That's all I need," Rain told the girl. She shook her head and tried to back away.

"Bothering poor girls again, Rain?" Charli spoke up. Rain turned to see her standing behind him. He gave her his signature smile. "Put those dimples away. You know they don't work on me, and leave the girl alone. She doesn't want you." Rain shook his fingers through his hair.

"Awe, fine. I'm sorry that I bugged you so much," Rain told the girl. She nodded before racing away. "There's goes another one you took from me."

"You need to learn when to stop. You seem like a rapist, Rain." Charli sat down in one of the booths. Rain followed suit.

"What's got your panties in a bunch?" Rain asked her, "Adelah again?" Charli slammed her head on the table in exasperation.

"She has class! But, I want to be near her. All I need is to be near her, to see her sweet smile that she shares with only me. To see her relax by my side. To hear her adorable laughter. Just being near her would be enough. I could die happy."

Rain rolled his eyes. "Why don't you just confess already? How long have you known her? Since you were six? I think it's about time." Charli glared up at him.

"I don't think Adelah likes me like that. I'm not her pillow. I mean, I cling to her every chance I get, but Adelah doesn't respond."

"That's because you need to put it in to words, dummy. Adelah's slow. She won't know until you tell her."

Charli groaned, knowing Rain was right. Adelah thought all her advances were friendliness. The thought of love never crossed her mind.

Charli's phone buzzed. She lit up, seeing a message from her cute Adelah.

The new message read, "Sorry, but Farrah's making us indulge her after class. Don't make any plans."

Farrah, again? This girl needs a hobby. The memory of Farrah's favorite pastime interrupted Charli's thoughts. Well, a new hobby.

Charlie texted Adelah back, telling her it was okay.

Rain watched Charli type away on her phone with an irreplaceable smile. The moment she picked up her phone, he knew Adelah had messaged her.

"So, what'd she say?" Rain asked.

Charli looked up from her phone and sang, "Farrah's making us go somewhere after class."

"Farrah?"

"Her friend from high school," Charli clarified, looking back to her phone. She hoped Adelah would text her again.

"Mind if I come?" Charli eyed Rain in suspicion.

"Promise not to flirt too much?" she asked him. Rain swiped an 'X' across his heart.

"Promise."