I was feeling too fucking sleepy this morning. Ms. M was going on about carbon and something about bonds. I wasn't, no, couldn't pay attention. I was constantly looking at the clock and trying my hardest not to fall asleep.  

Yesterday night was awesome. After we tumbled into an empty room I had the most fun I had had all week. He ( I couldn't remember what he said his name was) was definitely good with his hands. It turned out to be an amazing night. He definitely knew how to leave an impression. I really hoped he would come again sometime. I would really love to have another go. 

When I reached home it was already morning and I somehow snuck in through the dorm window. I had about an hour's sleep after having a cold bath. I would have preferred it at least warm but that was too much to ask for when you were living at an orphanage. We almost never got warm water. They usually allowed us to shower in warm water only in the winter since they didn't want us to get sick. Basically they didn't want to spend more money on us and medicines were expensive according to them. 

The sky was really gloomy and that made me feel even more sleepy than I already did. It looked like it would rain sometime today. That might be a problem. 

As I was dozing off again, Ms. M shouted out my name. ' Ashton Lopez, this is not your bedroom. Either stay awake or it's detention for you. '

Her eyes were full of fury behind her thick glasses. You could guess I wasn't a teacher's favourite. I somehow always got on their bad side. It was either my grades, my behavior or my clothes that didn't quite agree with them. What could I have done? I was just trying to be me. Sheesh! 

I blinked my sleepiness away and tried to pay attention. It was not like I liked obeying her, but I really couldn't afford detention. I was trying really hard to save up enough money for college and hopefully a place to live in. I really didn't have much time on my hands. I seemed to be counting down the days almost everyday. My freedom was near. I could almost smell it! 

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'Hey Ash! '

That was Wren. She was one of the rich students at this school and liked to show off with clothes from all around the world and all that kind of thing. 

'Hey Wren. '

'You know, Danny and Aiden dumped their girlfriends and Nicole is dating Aiden and I'm making my move on Danny. So exciting! And for our first date I'm planning on buying that designer top, the new one, to go with that...... '

I tuned out of her conversation. Looks like Vi bailed on her. Wren and Nicole just loved to gossip and talk about clothes like the other cheerleaders. I couldn't care less what they spoke unless it involved Caleb. Well, I guess Caleb is the reason I ended up tolerating these two. Vi's not into the whole positive vibes they radiate. She's a bit like me in that sense. 

These two somehow come to know everything about the guys in this school, especially the hot ones (according to them, of course). They liked the best of the best, which just happened to be K's friends. 

We were heading to the cafeteria where we met up with Nicole ,Vi , Luka, Drake and Preston, and sat at my table where all the cheerleaders along with their boyfriends happened to be seated already. Again. I glanced at Vi giving her a death glare. She just shrugged. I knew there wasn’t anything she could have done anyway. They wanted to sit wherever I sat so that they could feel superior.

It might be obvious by now but most of the kids at school either ignored me or stayed as far as possible. They thought me and my friends belonged to some gang or something and rumors spread that we pick random fights on the street. In a way I enjoyed the peace and quiet, so it didn’t bother me in the least. The problem though was that it attracted a lot of leeches. People who liked using me to influence others. And all those people loved sitting at my table to show off to everyone. As long as it didn’t become a problem for me I didn't really care. 

The cafeteria was not my favorite place. I would usually just browse through my phone during the entire time I was there while munching on a protein bar. The girls on this table would usually have little salads or just drinks while the guys teased them by stuffing their faces with junk food. Basically, there was an odd distribution of food on our table. These girls were way too worried about their bodies. 

I didn't eat much usually as I couldn't afford it, but I told everyone that I just wasn't much of an eater. It was not like they cared but I felt like I had to come up with an excuse. 

I tuned out the gossip that was going on around the table and fixed my eyes on Caleb. He was laughing with his teammates and girlfriend. I smiled without really smiling. His laugh was beautiful. And I rarely called stuff beautiful 'cause I almost never saw stuff the way other people did. I always found the worst in others. Except for one person. Caleb. I haven't found a single flaw in that guy. Or I suppose I loved his flaws too. Probably the latter. Sometimes I wished that moments like this would last forever. 

When there were about five minutes left for the break to end, Caleb and Stacey left the cafeteria together. I needed to use the washroom anyway, so I excused myself and left the cafeteria to follow them. They were talking near some lockers, so I hid from their view and listened in on their conversation. I wasn't a fan of eavesdropping, but Caleb was an exception. 

'.... Just tell me what it is. I'll understand, ' said Caleb, putting a strand of her hair behind her ear. 

'It's really nothing. Why are you being so suspicious? ' she said, averting his gaze and taking a step back from him. 

The bell had just gone. I quickly rushed to the washroom as they were headed towards me. 

So the gossip around school was true then. Those two were going through a rough patch in their long-term relationship. Most people still thought that they would make it through. Well, I'd better get to class. 

I was about ten minutes late. The moment I entered the class, I saw that the others had papers on their desks. Shit, was this a surprise test or something? I had definitely not studied a thing. All I'd been doing this entire week was work and more work. I hadn't got a chance to even glance at my books. 

'Ashton Lopez! Late again? ' asked Mr. Chin, annoyance clearly showing on his face.  

'I was in the washroom. 'I said, with an eye roll. 

There were several sniggers and coughs going around the classroom. I glared at them and they quietened down. 

'Mr. Lopez, I was just handing out your projects for the semester. Mr. Reyes will be your partner since he came in late too and is the only one left. '

Wait what? 

I was kinda shocked. Not kinda, I was really shocked. I quickly regained my composure and sat down next to Caleb with a bored expression on my face. I just couldn't help but notice the stressed-out look on his face. He didn't even seem to notice that I'd sat next to him. He was probably worried about him and Stacey. I still couldn't believe my luck. Out of all the people I could be paired up with, I was paired with Caleb. I wasn't dreaming was I? 

Mr. Chin was our bio teacher. This was also one of the four classes Caleb and I shared. The others being math, French and English. That sure was lucky! 

Mr. Chin handed some papers to me and as he walked back to the front of the classroom he said, 'I expect this project to be done by the end of the month. I won't be giving you any extra days and that rule applies to you all. I won't be making any exceptions. Work together and I also expect the work to be done well.'

I looked over at Caleb and said, 'So... Where should we do this? '

He sighed heavily and replied, without looking at me, 'certainly not at my place. How 'bout yours? '

'How 'bout the library? ' I suggested. 

I did not want him coming over to the orphanage. No one other than the principal-and probably the office staff- knew that I was an orphan. That place was completely off limits, especially to him. 

'Yeah, ok. Meet you there after class today? 'He asked. 

'Yeah, sure. ' I replied. 

Saying that we went our separate ways to our next class. Just a few hours and then we had to work on our project. I didn't know what was going to happen. I really hoped that this would get over fast. Yeah sure I wanted to be with him but he shouldn't be hanging out with someone like me. He really shouldn't. 

I might just get too attached to him and that would be a big problem for me. I really didn't want to hate Stacey more than I already did. I was wasting my emotions on her. 

The day just passed by like usual. I shared physics and chem with Stacey. She also seemed to be in the same mood as Caleb. Somehow the two of them didn't share any classes. I saw him once more during math but he seemed to be paying too much attention to the teacher. Something must be really bothering the two of them. I wondered what that must be. I'd like to say that I was not interested but since this included Caleb, I wanted to know everything. 

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