And you. You. You light me up, you ray of sunshine. And I can't turn your light off.

My phone buzzed - Peter. "Hello?" I said.

"I'm going to be late to school today; missing my first two periods. Can you tell the teachers I'm coming in for third period," He said. His voice was rushed, his words crashing together, crashing over each other in his hurry to speak.

"Why are you going to be late?"

"Tell them I'm sick." He said, his voice getting a little bit higher as he spoke - a sign of his excitement.

I took a breath. "Sick? That's a lie, isn't it?"

He laughed, a free laugh I hadn't heard before. He sounded exhilarated. "Yeah. Sick. What, do I sound healthy? Just ask them to talk to the principal if they keep asking." Sensing my next question, he continued. "Look, I'll explain at school. I wish I could be in earlier, with you and Adrian, but. . ." He trailed off, and then he was back. "I have to go. Sorry, Astrid."

I nodded, then realized he couldn't see me, and whispered a hushed, "Goodbye," before setting the phone down. There was a car honk - Adrian was outside. I grabbed my bag and ran outside, leaving my phone behind.

--

A girl named Clarissa was standing beside her twin sister Marissa, completely blocking the hallway for those wanting to reach their lockers. Stuck behind them were me and a handful of other kids - a boy wearing earbuds, a group of giggly cheerleaders practicing their cheer chants, and some other lone stragglers. Clarissa and Marissa were talking so loudly my head was beginning to ache. "OMG, there are SO many new couples in our year!" Clarissa yelled, and my headache worsened.

"SO many!" Marissa agreed, and I couldn't take it. I pushed past them with a swift apology and reached my locker. As I opened it I saw a guy in a yellow sweater out of the corner of my eyes. A yellow sweater, hand-knitted, with a streak of white across the middle. I'd made that sweater.

Peter.

Peter was at school. But then why did he tell me he wasn't coming for the first 2 periods? I reached for my phone to text him. . . no. I didn't have my phone, it wasn't in my bag! Had I left it in Adrian's car? I couldn't have, I hadn't had it out. No. I must have left it at home. I slammed my locker shut and called Peter's name. He turned.

"Astrid!" He said. He smiled, but obviously preoccupied. "Hey. . . I've got to run."

"You told me you weren't going to be at school for the first 2 periods!" I said as he made to leave.

"Yeah, that's still happening," He said, walking away. I followed him - "Peter, what's going on!" - and he turned back to me. His face wore a tired look and I stepped back. "I'll tell you later, Astrid. Just. . . just let me go, okay. . ." He said, then he looked at me for a second more. He opened his mouth to say something, then changed his mind, spun on his heel and left.

I stood there, watching him go, until he turned the corner and was gone.

--

True to his word, Peter didn't turn up for the first two periods. I told the teachers what he'd told me, and they nodded, faintly smiling, like they knew something I didn't. And it annoyed me.

Third period, Peter strolled in, his mouth a big smile, stretching all over his stupid little not-telling-Astrid-anything face. He went to the teacher and had a quick conversation before the teacher said something to him and he took his seat, beside me.

I refused to say anything to him, but he turned to me. "Astrid."

Keeping my face turned from him, I said. "What is going on?"

His hand came out of nowhere and folded over my chin. He turned it towards him. "Astrid." I let him move my chin so my face faced his. We were close, and suddenly I imagined him kissing me. I breathed, waiting. His mouth opened, but then Mr. Giblings stood up and Peter dropped his hand. My hopes cracked and I faced the other way, furious with myself.

All throughout the lesson, Peter sent me huge grins, but at the end, he collected his things and left without waiting for me, to his English class.

--

Lunchtime. Adrian raised his eyebrows at me across the table. "So what do you think about it?" He began, his voice cautious. I tilted my head slightly to the right, questioning him. Adrian's eyes widened. "He didn't tell you yet?" He asked, leaving me even more confused.

Adrian sighed. "You need to talk to Peter, Assie."

--

After school Peter finally took me to one side. "Astrid, I need to tell you something." He said. Adrian walked over to his car and got in. "Try not to be too excited, but. . ." His hands clasped mine and he let out a breath. "Assie, I. . ."

He took a step closer and my heart rate doubled. Maybe he was going to ask me out. I found my voice. "Peter. I actually have something I need to tell you too. . ."

He nodded. "I'll go first?" He said, and I bowed my head once.

"Assie, I . . ."

His beam brightened.

"I got a girlfriend."