As if that stare never happens he just goes over and introduces himself to the others. I'm honestly rooted to the spot, it's been awhile since i was this scared. Levi stays with me, I can tell the whole ordeal made him uncomfortable as well. Just as I think I have the courage to pretend nothing happened, Atlas put his arm around Noah. Then he looks over and grins maliciously at me when the others heads are turned.

"Levi?" I whisper.

"Yeah?" 

"Did I imagine that?"

He whispers back, "Nope, but whatever happens I'm on your side."

"We aren't teenage girls who live for drama. There's no 'sides' here." 

Levi looks back to Atlas, "Normally I'd agree but I know a guy looking for a fight when I see one."

Ryan appears between us and Levi jumps, "Please stop doing that baby."

He smiles, "No."

I chuckle, "So how's our new runner?"

Elias whacks my shoulder and I jump, "We saw that look, don't pretend you didn't."

"How did you get there?" It's not often people surprise me like that, "Also I thought you didn't notice."

Elias sighed, "Looks like the others didn't."

"Also, we're on your side too." Ryan adds on.

I wrap my arms around Elias and Ryan's shoulders, "Thanks but unless he tells me he has a problem with me I'm not going to address it at all."

Elias replies, "I don't agree but-"

Gabriel walks over, "What's happening over here then?" I don't believe he saw the looks but I can tell just by the way he's looking at me that he knows something is wrong.

"It's-" Levi begins.

"It's fine, no need to worry. How's Atlas getting on?" I interrupt, no point worrying everyone about this.

Gabriel gives me a look but thankfully decides to let it slide, "He seems to be very charismatic. A sophomore I believe. He also has a twin sister. Allura. She's lovely."

"Is she now?" Levi questions while wiggling his eyebrows. Ryan, Elias and myself can't stop ourselves from laughing. Eventually Gabriel and Levi laugh to.

Noah, Adrian and Atlas come over, the latter still hanging onto Noah. So I realise that he's trying to annoy me so I of course come up with the best solution ever: To ignore it.

"Welcome to the team Atlas, I'm Raven."

He looks very annoyed with me, he was probably expecting more of a reaction, "Atlas."

Gabriel and Adrian look at each other, they have probably noticed the tension between us. However Noah doesn't seem to notice a thing, I thought he was meant to be the most observant of us?

"Let's practice." Adrian says. 

So running practice begins. Noah takes the register while Mr Bowman shouts at the slackers, we then run. About halfway through Atlas suddenly ends up beside me and sneakily puts his foot out. He manages to take over me - this part isn't even a race - but luckily for me Levi sprints and grabs my arm.

"You alright man."

I look at him, "Did I imagine that?"

"Nope, I was wondering why Ryan told me to go to you urgently."

The man himself joins my other side, "We're staying with you for now on."

"Alright." Even though I'll never admit it to anyone out loud I'm glad. At least I'm not imagining things.

After the last lap we head for the benches. Normally the seven of us would sit together before the 100m races but today Atlas appears to have roped them into a conversation by the finish line.

"I'm surprised you two haven't joined them."

Ryan looks at me sternly, "I'm surprised the others haven't noticed that Atlas clearly is trying to annoy you."

Levi wraps an arm around my shoulders, "We will not be around Atlas during practice more than necessary."

As Mr Bowman calls us over Ryan also wraps his arm around my shoulders, sandwiching me in the middle and nods in agreement. I notice Elias looking at me, he knows something is up but I just smile. As Mr Bowman talks Levi and Ryan's arms never leave my shoulders but now Gabriel is looking at us weirdly.

"-Atlas and Raven." Did I just hear that right? "Get ready for the 100m boys." Ok I now officially feel sick.

"It will be fine, just stay calm and run like you normally do."

"Thanks Ryan." I smile.

As Atlas is new Mr Bowman decided that somehow meant we had to go first. I'm not complaining. I'd like to get this over with. As we get ready for the whistle he looks over to me.

"You are pathetic."

Most people would respond to this but I see no point. So I ignore him and wait for the whistle.

"How do those two freshman put up with you?"

The whistle blows, the good thing about ignoring people is that they don't like it, they get distracted as they want attention. This means that I get a head start, of course I also win. I don't normally like getting over-confident but with the way I'm being treated I feel like I deserve to this once.

Making my way back to the bench Atlas manages to get to Noah first. After all the stuff he said I don't really want to deal with that so I head to Ryan, Levi and now Gabriel apparently.

"What did he say to you?" Gabriel asks.

"What?" I thought no one would be able to see it.

He sighs, "What did Atlas say to you at the starting line? I know I'm not as observant as you or Noah but I can tell somethings happening."

"Pathetic." I replied.

"Wait what?" Levi chimes in.

I sit beside Ryan, "He said I was pathetic."

As the other two look at me in shock Ryan just pulls me into a hug and that's where I stay until I feel a hand holding mine, "Hi." I've been missing those hazel eyes.

"Hi Noah."

He looks at me slightly worried, "What's wrong?"

"Tired." I smile weakly.

He wordlessly sits down beside me and takes me from Ryan's arms. As I open my eyes I look at Atlas. If the death glare is anything to go by this is a problem I'm going to have for awhile. I close my eyes and lean into Noah, I don't want to deal with that problem right now.

                                                                                   ***

Atlas, even though he has had a good month to get over whatever grudge he has against me, still tries to annoy me. For the first few practices he stuck to Noah like a leech, when that didn't work he would begin to stand in front of me, as if cutting me off from the group. Only Levi noticed and he decided to be petty, the next day he brought me over to some other runners and we ended up speaking to them. I will admit it was fun but I didn't want any arguments to form. That's why I made sure we went back to the others from then on. During school I noticed that he and his twin sister - who I have to admit is beautiful - now hang out with Camila. I'm glad to see her looking happier than she was earlier this year.

At the moment, while overthinking Atlas' behaviour, I'm going to the bleachers. It's the last day of school but the captain wanted to have a few words with me. I see him pacing and fiddling with his hands, "Hello Jason."

"Ahh!" He jumps and turns to me, "I hate it when you do that."

"Sorry." I say.

Jason just sighs, "It's fine. Anyways I was asked by the coach to tell you a few things but after that can I ask for advice?"

"Advice?" I think it over for a few seconds but then realise that whatever it is I would help him how I can, "Sure."

"Alright: So for the captain role I basically just need to ask you to help me next practice, so you can see how things run. Even though you probably know already."

I laugh as for the most part I do, I used to just observe everyone else before I became friendly with the others so I was very familiar with how it all worked, "Yeah I do."

"Now that that's out of the way..." He begins playing with the pen in his hands and I take that as a sign to lead.

"Come on." I say and lead him to sit on the bleachers, "Whatever it is you know I'll not judge."

"You know Oliver?"

"Your vice captain? Yes I do."

"I like him."

Oh... I get what's going on now, "May I ask what your sexuality is?"

"In all honesty? I thought I was straight until I realised I liked him. I'm in no rush to think about that question, I just know I want Oliver."

I smile, "Fair enough. Do you know what his is?"

"No but considering he spoke for half an hour about famous guy crushes he's had I think I don't need to worry."

At that the two of us begin laughing until I ask, "Then why don't you just tell him? It sounds like you've accepted the whole thing."

"This is going to sound stupid but I don't know how."

"It's not stupid, you're telling someone you like that you like them." I say to him to show hi being unsure is ok before continuing, "Well from what I know of Oliver he's a really nice and open person but Id tell him in private."

"Ok, should I ask him to go somewhere with me?"

"Good idea! What do you two normally do together?"

Jason combs his hand through his ashy brown hair, "We used to go to Al's but with last year exams we haven't had time."

"Then why don't you have a break? Invite him with you and tell him then. Let me know how it goes and if you need anymore help."

"Thanks Raven, and I will." As I'm about to leave he stops me, "One last thing: You've been acting odd lately, I'll not ask about what as I don't think I'll get an answer. It's been nice hanging out with you lately but just know you can talk to us seniors if you need to." 

"Thanks captain." We smile before heading to our next classes.