I looked over at Eric, he had a sick look in his face. Rachel mouthed a sorry as Lance inched closer to my desk.
Why did it have to be Lance?
Why not some other snobby eighth grader?
Why HIM !?!
Lance pulled over a chair and sat down in front of me.
“Hi,” he said softly, smiling a sweet smile. His blue eyes lit up like someone had just switched on a lamp. I wanted to smile but I couldn’t let myself. Why would I, after all he had done to me yesterday?

I said nothing and watched his smile fade away.
“I’m sorry about yesterday,” he said quickly. “I mean, you know, you have to look good in front of your friends, right?”
Oh my gosh! What a jerk!
But he’s soooo cute!
“I get it,” I replied.
“Cool,” Lance nodded, smiling that smile again. “I’m glad we’re partners,”. I finally smiled.

Mr. Biggle kept going on and on about the social studies project us and are buddies would be working on.
“Hey, maybe we can hang out after school, and like you know, work on the project,” Lance said.
“Sure,”.
Yes!