Adelah stumbled out her classroom in a daze; the fact she had made it through the morning surprised her. Charli stood waiting next to the door.

She smiled, "Hi, cutie." Adelah stopped in her tracks. Her mouth crept open as she edged closer.

All Adelah could get out was "Hi." Charli grabbed her hand.

"How did class go? Okay?" Adelah nodded, trying to ignore the fire in her hand. Her skin was roasting.

Suddenly, Rain walked past them, giving a quick head nod to Charli. He strolled up to the chatting Farrah. Shae looked up at his presence.

Farrah, seeing Shae's attention elsewhere, turned her head. She groaned at the sight of Rain. "What do you want?"

The corners of his lips lowered. "I wanted to apologize. I know what I said was wrong; it was a pathetic attempt at flirting. Usually, girls will ignore it and smile, but you're not like that. You don't surrender when your beliefs are threatened. I admire that." Rain glanced in worry to Charli, who gave him a 'you're doing good' nod.

Shae stepped away from his best friend and walked over to Adelah. He didn't want to get in between their squabble.

"Look, I don't want you to keep thinking I'm this self-centered jerk. That's not me, at all. I know first impressions are hard to change, but you can ask Charli--ask Adelah, if I'm lying. Charli's not one to lie, even for my behalf--" Charli nodded. "And, I'm sure Adelah wouldn't lie to one of her best friends." Farrah searched Rain for any deception.

Satisfied but not unsuspecting, Farrah asked Charli, "Is he telling the truth?"

Charli sighed, "Yeah. I mean, he's an idiot, a real idiot, but Rain loves his friends. I know I can come to him for anything, and I have."

Farrah's gaze slid over to Adelah.

"Yeah, I've never seen him mistreat Charli, not once. These two grew up together. Rain's taken care of her like a sister since she was born. He would never do anything to hurt her."

"Except, ignore my advice," Charli added, getting the look to shut up from Rain. She ignored it. "But, that's just it. In 20 years, Rain has never done anything to hurt me; he always puts me first." Charli glanced at Adelah and smiled. She slipped away from her and sauntered over to Farrah. Her arm wrapped around Rain's shoulder. "This idiot seems self-centered, narcissistic, self-absorbed--"

Rain nudged her in the ribs. "Are you done?"

"But, he's not a bad guy. Rain just thinks girls will like him if he acts that way."

"You're right. He is stupid," Farrah said.

Charli laughs, "Told ya." Rain frowned, seeing the two laugh at his expense. He waited.

Looking over to him, Farrah said, "I guess I'll trust Charli." Rain lit up.

"So, I'm forgiven?"

"Yeah." Farrah walked past him and linked arms with Shae. She started to head down the hall towards the cafeteria, dragging Shae along.

Rain jogged up beside her. "Well, can I ask for a date?" Farrah kept her eyes forward.

"Sure. I'm not sure Shae will agree, though."

Rain clutched his sides and said, "Ha-ha, funny!" His arms dropped to his sides, his voice no longer spirited. "No, seriously. Would you be willing to go on a date with me?" Farrah gazed into his eyes that refused to back down; they held her captive.

"No thanks."

"Wha--Why not?"

"I barely know you." Farrah didn't want to tell him she just didn't feel like it.

Rain stared at her in disbelief. "Right... Well, I guess it's time to get to work." Rain faced Charli and Adelah, who were trailing from behind. "I'll see you guys later." They watched in shock as he left.

"That idiot. He told me he would try harder with her," Charli whispered to no one in particular. Adelah stared up at her and nodded. She couldn't believe Rain would give up so soon.

~

Shae walked the girls to the cafeteria. He bought Farrah a banana while Charli bought Adelah a chocolate chip muffin. They all sat down at a booth; Farrah slipped in before him as Charli and Adelah chose the other side. Farrah licked her banana and bit the tip.

"God, these are the perfect fruit. Their shape is beautiful," Farrah mumbled, her mouth full. Shae tried to ignore her filthy words but failed in the end. The banana morphed into something else, something much naughtier in his mind's eye.

Shae averted his gaze as his best friend caressed the fruit, his face much darker than before, all the way to the tips of his ears. He turned to Charli and Adelah, hoping to get his mind off things.

The two girls sat awfully close to one another. Charli held Adelah's hand on the table, and Shae could tell Adelah was embarrassed for once.

As he watched Charli scoot closer, Shae's pants vibrated. He dug out his phone to see a message.

It read, 'Heyy. This is Kylian. I was wondering if you wanted to hang out?' Shae's eyes crinkled at the corners.

He typed back, 'I'd love to.'

'Great! Meet me in the courtyard.'

Shae packed up his stuff, almost jumping out of his seat. He hummed a cheerful tune as he said, "I'll see you guys tomorrow. I made plans."

Curious, Farrah stared at her best friend as he left with a spring in his step.