I'm surprised to see Demian in the seat next to the one I always take. I hesitate for a moment before making my way over and sitting down beside him. He slides the folder containing our story over to me.    
    "Sign it."
    "O-okay," I mumble, quickly adding my name next to his. I expected him to take the packet and leave, but he sits next to me for the remainder of class. I feel eyes on us the whole time, hearing whispers and tiny snippets of conversation. I do my best to shut it out, glancing over at Demian whose face is as impassive as a rock.
    After Ms.Sumner has collected all the finished projects, she lets us out for the day. I managed to drop my pen while packing up my things and it rolled slightly under the table. My head made a resounding thwack when I went to stand back up from retrieving it.
    "You're really a klutz," Demian quietly mutters to me, his gravely voice taking on a teasing tone. I just rub the back of my head and look away.
    As we walk out of the classroom I spy a familiar figure leisurely waiting for me.
    "Hey, Adrie! Let's-"
    Two things happen pretty much simultaneously. Elijah's eyes become huge as he takes a step back upon seeing Demian right next to me, and I trip over a rock and am barely stopped from falling by a strong hand grabbing my arm.    
    "Again," Demian scoffs, "you really are a klutz."
    "Th- yeah. Thanks," I stutter, flushing. I glance over at Elijah who doesn't seem to know whether to step in or turn tail and run, his mouth opening and closing.
    "Demian, I'm sure he's sorry," Elijah anxiously states in his ever-loud voice, which is slightly higher pitched than normal. "Right, Adrian? He - He's just a klutz. We'll stay out of your way; it won't happen again." Elijah laughed in a clearly forced way.
    I feel awkward, seeing the way Elijah is reacting. 'Demian's not that bad,' Isaac's words ring out in my head.
    "Eli, it's fine," I say quietly, patting his arm before turning to look up at Demian again. "Th-thanks again, Demian. You've saved my face a few times this y-year," I run my hand through the hair above my ear and softly chuckle, definitely feeling the embarrassment set in.
    Demian's stone-like expression wavers so briefly it went almost unnoticed, before he shrugged and walked away.
    Elijah turned to me and grabbed my arms the moment Demian was around the corner. "Adrian!" He shook me, his voice squeaky. "How was that fine? You just - again, Adrie! Again!"
    I tug my arms free and start walking towards our next class. "I know, I know. Trust me, I know how many times I've made a fool of myself in front of him."
    "A fool? You're putting yourself in danger-"
    "Eli," I grab his wrist and catch his gaze. "He's not like the rumors. They're not right."
    "How do you know that, Adrian? Just because he hasn't done anything to you yet?"
    "No. Well, yes that too, but-" I sigh, frustrated. "He's not bad. I don't know why the rumors started, but he's not going to hurt me." I keep my voice as steady and firm as I can.      
    Someone came up to us, tapping me on the shoulder.
    "Excuse me, but didn't I just see you sitting next to Demian in class?"
    I don't recognize her, but I nod.
    "I saw him holding you just now," she fidgeted with her long brown hair. "Is he- are you two dating?"
    I'm shocked, to say the least. I just stare at her, disbelief coursing through my brain.
    "No! They -they definitely aren't!" Elijah piped up, waving his hands in front of himself. "If anything, this klutz is getting on his shit list by running into him all the time!"
    The girl gasps, "So, he's threatening you? I'm so sorry, I didn't realize-"
    "N-no," I jump in, finally finding my voice. "Demian isn't threatening me, he's not like that. He just stopped me from falling," my voice started wavering at the end due to my embarrassment. Seriously, can I go a day without something awkward or embarrassing happening?
    "Are you just standing up for him? I've been told he's a real bully." Her eyes were filled with worry.
    "He really isn't though," I quietly retort.
    Before she can say anything else, Elijah pulls me away, stating that we'll be late if we don't get moving.
    "Adrian, he's-"
    I don't know why it's bothering me so much, hearing him talk like this. He's been saying the same thing every time Demian comes up in conversation. Maybe it's because Demian and I spent so much time together working on the project, but hearing Elijah speaking badly about him is aggravating me.
    "No Eli, I'm serious. I don't think he likes people, but he's not violent," I state sternly, giving him what I hope is a clear no-nonsense look.
    He put his hands up in the air. "Fine, fine, I'll drop it. But, if he hurts you don't say I didn't warn you."
    "He won't hurt me," I repeat.

    Lunch started awkwardly. Eli and I still had some animosity between us from our earlier conversation, but slowly our conversations started to feel like normal again. We were eating in the cafe because it was getting cold outside and I hadn't brought a proper coat, but I made sure we had a seat near the windows. I love being outside. I'm not as physically inclined as Kai and Seamus, but I've always enjoyed nature. I'll have to remember to pick up a coat after classes tonight, so I can sit by the pond comfortably again. Maybe I'll look into some local hiking trails and see if any are close enough to walk to.
    I ask Elijah if he enjoys going for hikes. He prefers riding a bike, but he mentions a few walking trails nearby. He doesn't believe there are any places nearby to hike, which shouldn't surprise me since we're in a small city. I'm so used to the small towns and wooded areas near Friedberg that the idea of not easily being able to find somewhere to walk through the woods or hike up at least a small hill is a foreign concept still. I'll check out the walking paths he mentioned, but maybe it's time for a trip back to my hometown. I'm sure Kai would like to see me again and there's nothing like going up a trail with him and Seamus, even if they tend to get competitive near the end and leave me in the dust in their race to reach the top first.