“Things just aren’t working out.”

I kept my eyes pointed at the floor. “I thought we were doing alright.”

“Aden,” Katy breathed, holding back her bangs from her face. “I’m sorry, but I think it’s time we,” she sighed. “Well, we broke up.”

I peeked up at her. “Did I do something wrong?”

She scanned the hallway. “No, Aden. You’re a great guy,” she replied. “The spark, it just isn’t there anymore.” She shrugged. “Sorry.”

Nodding, I adjusted the book bag strap on my shoulder. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.” I glanced over at the group of students that had stopped across the hall. “It can be a fresh start for summer. I understand, don’t worry about it.” I forced a smile.

“We can still be friends, if you want.” She tucked a blond strand of hair behind her ear.

“Yeah,” I gave a half-hearted laugh, “of course we’re still friends.”

She smiled and put her arms around me. “Thanks, Aden. I knew you’d understand.”

I hugged her back and just stood there as she hurried off with her friends. Closing my locker, I banged my head against the door. Why does this keep happening?

“Hey.” A hand landed on my shoulder.

I jumped and spun around. “Chris, a little warning.”

“Quit daydreaming, then, and let’s go to class,” he laughed.

“I wasn’t daydreaming,” I muttered as I marched down the hall.

“What’s wrong then?” He glanced over at me.

“Katy broke up with me.”

Grabbing my shoulder, he gave it a little squeeze. “Sorry about that, man. I thought you two were getting along. She seemed fine when we hung out last weekend.”

I shrugged. “I guess the spark between us is gone, or something like that.”

Chris slapped me on the back, which stung more than comforted me. “Oh well, there’ll be others.”

“I’m running out of girls,” I breathed as we entered the classroom.

“That’s your fault.”

“Hey,” called Katy. She waved toward us and gave me an awkward smile. “Chris, can we talk about our next final?”

He looked at me.

“Go for it,” I said with a shrug.

He slipped passed me and went to sit down in my seat. I bit my lip. I didn’t mean that. Trudging over to the row of desks next to the wall, I plopped down in the one at the end. It was just a dumb seat, but the fact that I lost it because of Katy ticked me off. Laying my head on the desk, I wrapped my arms around my face to block out the world. Today sucked. I lost my girlfriend, my seat, and now I was going to fail math. Maybe it’ll start raining on the way home to top everything off.

The bell rang, and Mr. Philips walked to the head of the room. “Alright, clear off your desks except for a pencil.” He started passing the test packets down the row.

I rolled my head to the side and waited to receive my death sentence. Math and I didn’t get along.

Chris dropped the packet in front of me. “It won’t be that bad.”

“Says next year’s valedictorian,” I muttered under my breath. I heard Chris laugh, so he must have heard.

“Alright,” said Mr. Phillips as he sat down behind his computer. “You have until the end of class. Once you’re done, put your test on my desk and you’re free to go.”

Everyone around me flipped over the cover sheet and started writing. I just stared at it, reading the class section information over and over. Forcing myself to sit up, I turned the page and felt my stomach tighten. God had my number today, and he just kept pushing it.

***

Ten minutes before class ended, I handed in my test, gave Mr. Philips a death glare, and trudged to the door with my backpack dragging along behind me. That man hated me. It was the only possible explanation why he would make the test harder than any of the homework.

I threw open the door and left it wide open, marching off to where Chris was sitting with Katy on a bench by the wall. They were looking over Chris’ notes. The man was a genius, so no surprise there. I had taken advantage of his brain plenty of times.

I laid across the bench next to them. I had been to war and barely made it out alive, and they were having a great time together. Being friend zoned sucked. Katy could have at least pretended to be a little upset that we’d broken up.

“So how’d you do?” asked Chris.

I crossed my fingers. “Pray for a C. I don’t want to have to retake it next year.”

“I think you’ll get at least that.”

“Maybe,” I muttered.

Chris went back to talking over chemistry notes with Katy, while I laid there defeated. I just wanted to go home and whine to my mother about my horrible day. Closing my eyes, I heard the bell ring through the halls. Letting out a sigh, I sat up and slowly climbed to my feet.

“English will be better right?” said Chris with a smile.

“Yeah,” I muttered as I shuffled away. Anything was better than math.