The next day I wake up feeling great. It's a Sunday, I made five friends (I'm still shocked that I was capable of such a thing) and I got a date! I smile dreamily thinking of Noah, which is slightly out of character for me but I'm allowing it as I'm alone and it's something new. Might as well enjoy it right?

I suddenly hear people shouting, getting out of bed quickly I sprint down the stairs... Only to see Issac shouting at Lillian, while dad eats Pringles in the background. He notices me and beckons me over.

"The showdowns happening." He gives me one of the boxes of Pringles I got last night.

"Thanks."

We sit quietly eating while the other two go at each other. Issac seems to be more annoyed that he didn't know rather than the fact she actually got eloped.

"We let you help plan our wedding!"

"We loved each other! You wanted us to wait?"

Seeing Issac shout was odd. Seeing dad quiet was odder. If that's even a word. Though it looks like the adults are going to shout in circles if I don't intervene, so I do.

"Why don't you just have a party for them now? You don't mind that they're married, just that you two weren't there. So a party solves both problems."

Issac's eyes widen, probably not realising I had come down. Then he gives me a deadpan look, "Raven you're still in your boxers."

"Huh?" I was so worried about the shouting that I forgot to get changed. Whoops. Dad and Lillian start laughing uncontrollably and Issac finally smiles.

"Go get changed... And then we can speak more about this party idea."

Going up the stairs I begin to get dressed. Pulling out a light blue turtleneck and jeans I begin to get dressed until my phone suddenly rings. Camila. Huh.

"Hey Camila."

"Hey Raven, the date went great. I think he really likes me!" Uh... did she forget that she ignored me? Do I bring it up? I suppose I'll hint at it and see if she acknowledges it at least.

"I'm glad, Liam's party was nice last night, but as you know it wasn't my scene."

"Uhh yea the party..... It was fun, got to know some of the other football players." Not even going to apologise? I love her but I'm not letting that behaviour slide, she could've at least said 'hi' right?

"While leaving your own friend behind?"

She's quiet for a few moments then, "Are you jealous?"

"What?" She didn't just seriously say that? Yes I miss seeing her however I've been asking myself that question for the last few days.

And I always come to the same answer, "Camila, I always tell you that anyone would be lucky to have you. I'm lucky to be your friend. But I won't lie: I'm happy for you but I didn't think you would push me aside for popularity. That hurts."

"You are jealous." She responds angrily, "You can come talk to me when you're ready to be more reasonable."

She hung up. Am I really being unfair? I'm lost. Upset I put the jeans and turtleneck away and get out my joggers and an oversized jumper. If I'm gonna be in a bad mood, I might as well be comfortable.

Slowly walking down the stairs I enter the kitchen where the adults have populated. Dad gives me a coffee but does a double take when he sees the joggers.

"Joggers?"

"Yea."

"Somethings going on isn't it."

He opens his arms and I walk into them, "Yeah."

"How did you get that from joggers?" Lillian questioned.

Issac shrugs, "I think they're mind reading each other or something. I choose to not overthink it though."

"Shut up!" He shouts at them, then he turns back to me, "Wanna tell us."

"No."

Now most parents would bug their children but mine don't. When I asked why they said that even when I was a toddler I would only tell them things when I was ready, if they tried to force it out of me I would scream at them. Dad likes to say that I 'travel at my own pace'. Whatever that means.

"Alright, after we organise the party do you want to have a movie night?"

"Yeah." I give a small smile. Movie nights in our house occur when we are all in a really good mood or one of us is upset. It means the person doesn't have to talk if they don't want to but can still feel better.

I sit down and join Lilian as we listen to them argue. She then turns to me, "My door's always open ya know."

"Thanks Lillian." We smile and let the chaos party planning continue.

                                                                                        ***

Monday morning I wake up at five in the morning. Why? I don't actually know. Trying to go back to sleep I realise that I can't. Anxious feelings begin to drain me. Thinking over the past few days it only now sinks in that I have a date. I have no clue what to do, what to expect. I now see why Camila was worrying. You know what? I'm being silly, I'll go out and do a quick run.

At half six I enter the house and bump into a very surprised Issac, "What were you doing?"

"Running?"

His eyebrows raise as he asks, "Don't you normally do that in the evenings?"

"Yeah." Paired with my behaviour yesterday and my morning running today he probably think something's going really wrong, but it isn't. I just woke up earlier than normal today.

"Do you want to go to the gym with me tonight then? As you've already ran today?" He offers, still looking concerned.

"Sure." I say and give a small smile before getting ready for school. As much as I would love to wear my joggers dad would drag me into my room and force me into jeans. The man is a fashion freak. Luckily however, he doesn't mind my oversized jumpers as long as I don't do it very often. He likes them though apparently I used to be so introverted as a child I would pull my hood over my head and not socialise. He doesn't want me somehow reverting back to that.

As I drink my coffee before going to school I notice dad looking at me worriedly so I smile at him. He smiles back though there's still worry laced in his gaze.

Before leaving I give him a hug, "Stop worrying, your hair might fall out." Even if I don't always show it in an obvious way I do love my parents.

"Stop stalling, if you don't go to school you might become an idiot like Issac." He says yet he holds me tighter.

"Hey!" Issac whines. Dad and I laugh as I leave for school.

                                                                                        ***

Heading to lunch I'm in a bad mood, Camila has ignored me all day. She even made me do a chemistry experiment by myself because she didn't want to talk to me! I'm tired. So tired. Getting my lunch I look at our table. Our now very empty table. I noticed Camila at the fancy middle circle table before so lunch is going to be boring. Maybe I should just go run instead. Just as I'm about to leave two people link my arms with theirs. It's Gabriel and Adrien.

"Let's sit down." Gabriel says in his calm voice. I've learnt that he acts as the group mom. Adrian nods in agreement.

"I would've expected this from Levi and Elias but not you two. What's the occasion?" I joke.

To my surprise Adrian responds, "Rumours."

"Rumours?" I'm now lost, I suppose if you ignore every living soul in the school you don't get to hear rumours.

Gabriel sighs and looks at Adrian, though I can see the fondness in his eyes, "Ah, rumours have spread about you and Camila."

I ask, "How badly are they judging me?" Might as well know how long I've got to watch my back for.

"It's not you who they're judging. They say Camila was leeching onto you and that she's now leeching onto Liam as he's more popular."

"When did these rumours start?"

"Maybe Friday?" I'm surprised I didn't hear any of this before, I was with Camila most of Friday though? That doesn't make a lot of sense.

"Lets sit." Adrian says.

To my surprise we sit at our table. Shocking me even more the other three freshman come in.

"Hey Raven!" Levi shouts and puts an arm around me.

I laugh, "Hey guys, how have I not seen you in here yet?"

Elias smiles, "We sit outside at the bleachers with Noah."

"With Noah?"

Suddenly hands are put over my eyes, "Guess who."

"Noah."

"Well done." I can somehow hear the smirk in his voice. He sits down and pulls me down beside him. The others sit and start acting like this is natural.

"Can I ask what on earth is happening?"

Ryan kicks me under the table, "Were we meant to leave you here alone?"

I kick him back and laugh, "Thanks guys."

"No problem." Gabriel smiles.

The others continue to laugh and joke. Even though I've hung out with them before I feel like I'm intruding. The more perceptive people of the group notice and involve me in conversations until I'm more comfortable.

A while later when we are all laughing I accidentally look over at the circle table. Camila and I make eye contact, she looks at me with what looks like anger. Is she now jealous of me? What did I -

A hand settles on my leg, "Are you ok, she has a real death stare."

"I'm fine." I turn to give Noah a fake smile, I'm still slightly uncomfortable under her stare. When people stare at me I usually don't care, but none of them were ever Camila. I'm starting to miss her.

Noah suddenly tightens his grip on my leg, "I'll kill her."

I laugh, "Please don't. I'd rather have you out of jail." I put my hand on his. He just smiles, kisses my head and we go back to the conversation.

Of course when I relax again Samuel has to turn up. The freshman have started to say hi to him - they're so cute and I will protect them with my life - he says hi back but he's only looking at me. I think Noah notices as he puts an arm around me. Samuel glares at him. Ok this is starting to creep me out.

"Hi Raven... Mr Bowman wants to speak to you."

"...Right. Bye guys, thanks for today." I smile at them all. They all say goodbye and I head to Mr Bowman's classroom.

"Hello Mr Bowman, you wanted to see me?" I say politely. Jason, the current captain, was also there so I said hello to him as well.

He nods, "Yes I will get the formal stuff out of the way first." What's happening? Mr Bowman doesn't do formal, "You are in the running to be the captain next year. Congratulations!"

It takes me a few moments to let it sink in, "Uhh... thank you but isn't it a bit early? The years only started."

He chuckles softly, "Yes however I make candidates aware early in the year so they can observe how the team is run. Most captains are better when they understand the job beforehand."

"I see... thank you for the opportunity sir."

"No problem kid. One more thing?"

I turn around to face him again, "Yeah?"

"Thank you." He smiles broadly at me, "For making Noah happier. Class is about to start so head on now."

I nod while smiling at him and leave to go to maths.