~~~ADRIAN~~~

"So, I think we should go out for pizza after the test tomorrow," Elijah says around a bite of macaroni. "Who even gives a test the third week of class!? We've barely started any lessons."

I swallow before replying, "Pizza would be nice."

"Let's hit Diego's. It's not too far off campus. We could walk, if you'd like."

I nod and take another bite of pasta. Elijah already knows about my aversion to driving, and though he doesn't understand it, he tries to respect it when we make plans. We've met up outside of school a couple times now, and he hasn't minded being the one to drive or meeting up within walking distance of either my house or campus.

We finalize plans and head our separate ways. As I step into the science building, I spot a familiar person sitting on the bench across from my classroom where I always sat and studied while waiting for the bell. Demian had his head down and appeared to be reading a textbook. For a few moments I simply stood there and stared at him, not moving. Why was I hesitating? I always came in early to sit here, since it's silent and peaceful before the students flock in for third period. This was the first time I'd seen him here, that must be the reason for my hesitancy. Despite what he'd said, I was still fairly certain he didn't have an interest in doing anything malicious to me. Or maybe I was just being hopeful? Part of me was still screaming to back away, but I did promise Seamus I'd take opportunities to see if he was a threat to me, and that I wouldn't show fear. I took a deep breath and sat down on the other side of the bench, glancing sideways at him. He didn't even look up from his book. Setting my bag on the floor in front of me, I pulled out my notebook and started reviewing facts for my labs today. I couldn't seem to stop glancing back over at him every few minutes. It was hard to focus with him so close. Even if he was quite possibly a bully, he was still hot. Besides, how am I supposed to see what his intentions are if I don't look at him? I look over again only to meet his eyes.

"Can I help you with something?" He has an eyebrow slightly raised and his voice is deep and level.

I swallowed, my throat suddenly feeling dry. "Ah, uhm, n-no, s-sorry." I mentally kick myself for how weak my voice sounded.

"Then can you stop staring?" Though he worded like it was a question, he was clear with his tone that it wasn't a request. My ears felt hot, and I quickly turned my head away and tried to focus on my notes. I really wanted to leave at this point, but I can't let Seamus down. Show no fear. Does embarrassment count as fear? Running away, even if it's due embarrassment, probably wouldn't help me show him that I'm not afraid of him.

~~~~DEMIAN~~~~

He keeps looking at me out of the corner of his eye. What am I, some specimen he's trying to study? Sorry to disappoint, but I'm not that interesting. I get tired of feeling his eyes boring into me and catch his gaze the next time he looks over. His blue eyes go wide and round, and I would have found it cute if it weren't for the fact that he'd been staring at me.

"Can I help you with something?" I ask, trying to keep my tone neutral. He stutters sorry and I can't help getting agitated at how nervous he is because of me. Because of whatever rumor he believes in. "Then can you stop staring?" My voice sounded dark and snappy, and I could see the tips of his ears turning an unhealthy shade of red as he turned his face away. I thought he would leave but he went back to studying, which surprised me somewhat. Usually, if I speak to someone they do their best to get as far away as possible right after, but he continued to sit, even after people started coming into the building. I could see them watching us, and I'm sure he must notice it at least a bit, but he doesn't move from the bench until the bell rings and his professor unlocks the door to his class. Shortly after he leaves, my classroom door opens. I stand and stretch. When I bend down to pull my bag out from under the bench, I notice a paper next to it. It appears to be a practice worksheet with 'Quiz Tomorrow' written across the top in large letters. It has a bunch of tiny notes written all over it, as well as a list of page numbers and some random highlighted words. I run my hand through my hair and sigh. Though it doesn't say a name, I have to assume it belongs to Adrian, and now I have to figure out how to get it back to him before he leaves for the day. Despite what people may think, I'm really not a complete tool and while it's not my job to get it back to him, it seems like he put a lot of effort into making this study guide so he probably really needs it.

~~~~ADRIAN~~~~

It's not here. I dig through my bag again, hoping I just missed seeing it the first time but it doesn't show itself this time either. My quiz prep-sheet is gone. I always keep my supplies neat and orderly, so it should be right here, but it isn't. I try to backtrack my steps to figure out what I could have done with it. I'd just left my 3rd period biology course, prior to that was lunch, and before then- Wait. I'd tried studying in the hall outside of my bio class. What if it fell out of my bag then? I'd been in a bit of a rush to get away from Demian, so I wasn't paying a lot of attention when I grabbed my bag. I hadn't even zipped it. With that realization, I quickly return to the science building. I'd planned to spend the time between third and fourth period studying with Elijah, since he was still around, but I can't do that without my notes.

I'm almost at the bench when I notice Demian leaning against the wall. What is he doing here? He has a paper in his hand and I quickly recognize my handwriting. That's my prep-sheet.

"Looking for this?" He asks in an almost teasing tone, taking a step towards me. I feel my legs tremble, and it's only partially from nerves. I do my best to stand my ground, though I can't quite bring myself to meet his eyes. Not trusting my voice to come out without breaking, I simply nod in reply. He holds the paper out, dangling it just inches from my face. I almost expect him to pull it away and say sike when I reach for it, but he just lets me take it and folds his arms back over his chest. I don't know how to take this situation, so after standing there for a while longer I quietly thank him and leave to meet up with Elijah in the library.

~~~ADRIAN~~~

Elijah and I speak in hushed whispers, going over my notes and trying to not think about Demian.

"Adrie, I really don't think it's a good idea to have anything to do with him," Elijah states for the umpteenth time. I really don't disagree with him, but I can't completely avoid the guy either, so figuring out if I'm in any sort of trouble would be the best course of action. Also, I can't help but feel both a bit curious about him, and a tad guilty for getting so caught up in rumors.

I take a breath to center myself before saying, "I'll be alright, Eli. But," I point at the pile of books and papers between us, "I may not be alright with the test tomorrow if we don't get some actual studying done."

"You're kinda snarky when you're not being shy, did you know that?" Elijah asked with a light laugh.

"I may have heard that once before," I replied with a smirk.