Gavin Harden is, in a word, a riddle. He is a walking conundrum. His life is full of unanswered questions that when one attempts to investigate only leaves them with even more questions than they began with. One moment I think I've got a read on him and the next reality plows into me resulting in the realization that Gavin is complex; complex to the point that it's infuriating yet, oddly addicting. A year has passed with no answers to the question that is Gavin's entire being but I find myself more and more fascinated with each passing day. I ask and ask but, just like a riddle, he answers in a way that only leaves more confusion.

We met last year when we happened to share a math class together. We bonded over our inabilities to understand the dreaded subject and he soon made our duo into a trio, though we don't spend much time together outside of class.

From what I have seen and put together through stories he has shared or has heard through rumors, Gavin is a player. Gavin, as the girls have put it, is a "walking sex god," with his pretty boy appearance and hazel eyes that will put even the most loyal of women and straightest of men into a trance like state. Those eyes seem to cut through everyone like a blade, seeing all but revealing nothing in return. It’s damn annoying.

Unlike Junior and myself, Gavin is never seen looking less than fashionable. He's always in a pair of fitted jeans and detailed tops with a range of accessories. His hair, though it looks messy, is purposefully made to look that way. I often wonder what he would look like had he not gone through his morning routines. He works out, resulting in him having a nice physique that the girls swoon over. Why someone as cool as Gavin hangs out with normal people like Junior and me, I don't know, but we've never questioned it.

Gavin spends his days with us only during school. We rarely see him outside of class. We hang out occasionally during breaks but I haven't a clue what or who he spends his time with outside of class. It isn't as if I don't consider him a friend! It's just that, though we have known each other for a year, it feels as if I don't know him. Does that make sense? I doubt it, but that's how it feels.

Though he smiles and laughs his eyes always appear to be lost in thought. I never know what he's thinking and something tells me I never will. Even after a year of attempting to break within the walls Gavin has fortified around himself I haven't uncovered a thing. I still try, regardless of my lack of progress.

"I'm surprised you don't find breathing a hassle," I finally say to Junior with a grin that disappears at what he has to say.

"It is, but dying is a hassle too."

I run my hand over my face at his words while Gavin chuckles in disbelief. Deciding not to continue on with this conversation of hassles, which for Junior is everything. I take a seat beside him. Gavin is sitting at the desk in front of Junior. He turns to let his long legs stretch out into the hall as he asks, "What'd you do this summer? Didn't hear much from you."

"Hey, you didn't say much to me either," I say, pointing an accusing finger at the boy who, honestly, I only saw about once every two weeks or so during break. He shrugs. "I honestly didn't do shit. Hung out with this asshole mostly-" I reach across the aisle to jab said asshole in the back. He has opted to fall asleep on the desk already. "-Stayed at home and slept. What about you?"

"Eh, hit a few parties and got a part time job too, which is loads of fun."

Junior groans beside us, catching both our attentions. We turn said attention to him to see he has raised his head enough to look at us. Smacking his lips together, he scowls and says, "The desk tastes like cleaning supplies."

"You aren't meant to eat the desk, dumb ass," Gavin laughs, shaking his head at the boy who is now looking to the desk in a heartbroken manner.

"Noah, gimme your water," Junior insists, outstretching his fingers to the water I have in my bag. I rip it away from him.

"No, get your own damn water."

"Don't wanna. Yours is closer."

"I don't want your indirect kiss, ya queer!"

"Come on, it's the only kind of kiss you'll ever get.”

Gavin howls with laughter while my jaw drops. Junior isn't physically smirking but, mentally, I'm sure he's cheering himself for his successful jab. Grumbling, "I thought you were my friend, dude. Why do you have such little faith in me?"

Junior shrugs in response but keeps his hand in the air, waiting for me to give him the water. Gavin is doing his best to stop his laughter, but every time I look over to glare at him he snorts and starts up again. Assholes, the both of them!

"Whatever," I huff and give in, handing my bottle to Junior who chugs half it. "What the hell man! Don't drink all of it!"

"I didn't. I drank half."

Before I get the chance to dismember this asshole our teacher makes herself known. Everyone moves around the class to take their seats while moaning miserably about returning to this hell. I am one of those children, sighing the moment I hear my teacher talk about the plans she has for us this year.

I decide to mimic Junior, opting to resting my head on the desk rather than listen to our teacher. First day of school and I'm already slacking off. Sounds like another normal year to me.