After we made our way into the hall Dustin sat down by me in front of some lockers. I was keeping my head down so I don’t know what his face looked like, but I could feel him looking at me.

“When did you do that” Dustin finally asked.

I sat there awhile before responding.

“It's nothing” I say.

I really did not want to talk about it. This is the first time talking to a classmate without getting punch or slapped and honestly just wanted to do the project, and pretend we never spoke. I think he got the hint, as for the rest of the period we talked about the project. When the bell rang for our next class, I quickly got my stuff and ducked out before he could try and say something to me. The rest of the day went as normal as it does for me. To my luck on the way out of school Milo found me. Before I could even see who, it was, he grabbed me and pulled me aside.

“why do you always find a way to make me mad.” Milo asked me, as I stood there quietly.

“Really so now you have nothing to say, not even some snarky come back?” he asked me.

“why do you always need a punching bag?” I ask him.

“so, you can go home and get the same thing done to you, does that make you any better?” I said while still looking down.

I don’t think he liked that very much I watched his fist move for his side into the air. I flinched as I moved my arms, so they crossed in front of my face. As I stood there, I realized someone else approached us.

As I lower my arms, I see Dustin pushing Milo aside. As I watch stunned knowing that this will just make Milo more frustrated with me, I can't find the words to tell him to leave. After a couple of minutes of the three of us sitting in silence, Milo looks at me and growls then walks away with nothing else to say. I let out a long breath as I had been holding it in.

“why did you just stand there; you did not even try and walk away.” Dustin finally asked me.

“Even if I did try and walk away, he would definitely come after me.” I quietly respond, still not wanting to talk to him.

We are partners for a science project there is no reason for him to be following me, or even talking to me.

“How do you even know where I was.” I decided to ask him.

He stood there quiet for a second before responding.

“I wanted to find you to ask when we will work on the project. As I was looking for you, I saw you run out of the school.” he says, before continuing, “I could not find you at first until I heard some students talking about how they saw you get pulled away.”

Still not wanting to talk to him I looked at him, before beginning to walk away.

“Your help was not needed you more or less just made matters worse.” I mumbled as I was walking away.

“Can you at least speak up, also we still need to discuss the project so can you please slow down.” Dustin says as he tries catching up with me.

I slow down my pace so he can walk by me, I would not have if there were students walking but, it was like we were only ones left besides sport kids. “Please talk quickly” I said as softly as I could, but so he could still hear me.

“Can we work on the project today, or do you have other plans?” Dustin asks me.

The only thing I could think of is if he really knew who I am, he would not ask if I had plans. The most plans I have in a day is to go home and do homework before sleeping.

“No” I wanted to say yes but that would be an obvious lie.

“Good then can we go to your house to work on the project?” Dustin asked, all I can do is look at him.