"Katy Morris?" my teacher had happily called scanning the room.

I raised my hand and attempted to say "here", but nothing came out. Only a small, high-pitched squeak as I mouthed the word. My face began to turn bright red. I made eye contact with the teacher; her name was Mrs. Alberts. I heard a few snickers throughout the room but the teacher just gave me a sad smile and continued taking role.

All I had to do was say one word and I couldn't even do that, I thought. How am I going to survive the next four years here?

Mrs. Alberts began to drone on and on about joining clubs, making sure to study for tests, and, of course, the line every adult you have ever met has probably told you, "I'm here for you whenever you need it". She so was not going to be there for any of us when we needed it. Especially not when she has more important things to worry about, like her own classes she has to teach.

I had put my head down on my desk, hoping she wouldn't notice me all the way in the back corner of the room.

Mrs. Alberts had in fact noticed me and yelled, "Katy! It's the first day of school and you're already sle---". She had been interrupted by the door swinging wide open. Quickly, I looked up from my desk and a boy was standing in the doorway. Well, more crouching in the doorway. His right hand was firmly placed on his knee while his left hand frantically waved his late pass in the air. Just as quickly as I had looked up, I looked right back down.

"I suppose you must be Maxwell Collins. The only person not here on the first day of school that is," Mrs. Alberts had rudely stated, "Why don't you take a seat, Maxwell? I guess you'll have to sit in the only seat that's still available".

Crap, I thought. There's an empty seat next to me.

I looked just in time to see her pointing directly at the seat beside me. "I suppose you two might get along, seeing as you've both made trouble already. Don't think I've forgotten Katy", Mrs. Alberts told us.

Maxwell quickly handed her the late pass and swiftly made his way over to the seat next to me. He gave me a quick half-smile before slumping down into his seat.

Mrs. Alberts looked over at us again and said, "One more thing Maxwell. I forgot to ask if you prefer Max over Maxwell".

"Max," he replied.

Wow, his voice, I thought. I could get used to hearing that.