I quickly speed walk to my homeroom, barely making it on time. I huff frantically as I sit at my desk. Damn, I’m really out of shape. I suddenly notice Ms. Roe glaring at me, “Almost late after returning from suspension, Nikolaev?” 

I roll my eyes, “Keyword: almost.” 

She continues to hold her glare, “But you’ve disrupted the class, no?” I squint my eyes, looking around at the "disrupted" students on their phones.

“What–” I refrain from saying something I shouldn’t, “Sorry, Ms. Roe. It won’t happen again,” I say with my teeth clenched. 

Thankfully, homeroom isn’t for too long. Classes haven’t felt as dragged out now that Andy is my tutor. I have to actually pay attention and take notes because of his dumbass. Nevertheless, I very patiently wait for the day to be over. Eventually, it’s lunch period. But with Mateo not here to bother, it’ll be quite boring. 

I pass by the library while on my way to the cafeteria when I have the sudden urge to check it out. Not for the books, my brain is already fried from the notes. But because I’ve heard we can have lunch here, I always forgot to ask Mateo if he’d want to check it out. What better time than doing so now? 

I head inside and I’m surprised to see many students there. Hell, there is a literal line of students! I’m greeted by the librarian and she tells me I have to sign in. The line goes by fast and once I’m in, I realize I have never seen the library. Wow, I don’t know if that is sad or not– 

“Kian!” My thoughts are cut when someone calls for me, I look over to see…Teagan and Leah? The two are eagerly waving at me. I head over, even though I’m quite confused about what they want. 

“Hey! Do you guys usually come here for lunch?” I ask them. 

“Mhm, the cafeteria is too noisy,” Leah says, patting the chair next to her. I’m hesitant to take a seat. 

“I’ve never seen you here, are you meeting up with someone?” Teagan questions as she takes a bite of her lunch. 

“Nope, it’s my first time here. I thought I’d check it out since Mateo is absent today.” 

“Well, that’s perfect! Leah  and I have been wanting to befriend you from the start.” I raise my eyebrow in confusion. They…have? Oh no, don’t tell me they are secretly evil like Anderson and I’m now trapped! 

“What Teagan means is that Andy won’t let us be friends with you…Seriously though. What did you do for him to hate you so much?” Leah asks. I take her comment about Anderson hating me with pride. Oh, how it pleases me to know that he hates me. It’s music to my ears. 

“Yeah, all he ever says is that it’s because you’re, in his words, “aggravating”, “ Teagan adds.  

I roll my eyes, that sounds like a word he’d use. “I didn’t do anything, he’s the one who decided to pick on me since middle school.” 

Okay, so a white lie never hurt anyone, right? I’m the one who messed with him from the start, he just got on my nerves. I’m not telling them that, though. They are Anderson’s best friends slash girlfriend, I probably wouldn’t make it out alive. 

The girls roll their eyes. “You’re just like Andy, you two would be literal besties if you weren’t at each other’s throats all the time,” Teagan hums. 

I scrunch up my face in disgust which makes them both laugh. Eventually, the conversation shifts and we relate to other stuff. They are pretty cool, it still confuses me how they can hang out with Anderson…

Suddenly, Teagan chuckles maniacally. Leah and I give her a concerned look. 

“Are you alright, Tea?” Leah questions. 

“I just thought of the perfect plan! Do you guys want to piss off Andy?” She asks.

 I raise an eyebrow, “...Care to elaborate?” I would very much like to know, but I’m also scared of what she is scheming. 

“Let’s take a group picture! Show him what he’s missing out on– We don’t have to if you aren’t comfortable, Kian–” 

I cut Teagan off, “No no, that sounds perfect. I’m up for pissing him off anytime.” I laugh. Leah shakes her head in disappointment, but she doesn't deny participating in the plan. As a result, we have a whole ass photoshoot. It was amazing, Anderson’s reaction was the cherry on top. A simple “I hate you”. My cheeks were in pain from all the laughing. 

But unfortunately, time flew by and the bell rang. “Aww, man!” Teagan groans as Leah throws out our trays. 

“You should come by here, Kian. It was fun getting to know you.” Leah proposes. I wasn’t against the idea, they seem really cool. I also think they’d get along well with Mateo. 

“Yeah, I’ll ask Mateo to join tomorrow,” I tell them.

 “Perfect! The more, the merrier. We’ll see you later!” Leah beams as we part ways. Now to rub it in Mateo’s face that I had fun without him…